If the Alouettes win the Gray Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday, we’ll not only have to give them the championship trophy, but we’ll also have to think about giving them an “Oscar.”
• Also read: The Alouettes present a team of “rejects” in the finale.
• Also read: Marc-Antoine Dequoy was inspired by his late mother at the Gray Cup
• Also read: Danny Maciocia loves this player like his own son
The director of this great film, Danny Maciocia, who always praises everyone around him, could certainly be in the running for the Best Actor category.
Earlier in the season, in a lengthy interview given to the Journal to open a special 36-page notebook, the general manager confided that he was ready to give up his two Gray Cup rings that he earned with the Edmonton Eskimos had won to exchange [en 2003 et 2005] to win one with the Alouettes. He dreams loud and clear of a Gray Cup in Montreal.
“I’ve been very lucky in my life: Every place I’ve set foot in I’ve been able to win a championship, except with the Alouettes,” he noted, in the same breath speaking of a feeling of “unfinished work” in his professional life.
Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia spoke about his dream of winning the Gray Cup for Montreal in the 36-page special section published in Le Journal de Montréal on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Photo Le Journal
“No choice to believe it”
We don’t know the ending of the film yet, but one thing is certain: this weekend in Hamilton, it will be the result of a masterpiece for the Alouettes. Especially if we win… The organization has come this far.
Until then, the Alouettes have one last practice on Saturday afternoon before the big game at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Montreal team isn’t the favorite to win, but it wasn’t, as the team beat the Argonauts 38-17 in the Eastern final in Toronto last Saturday.
“You have no choice but to believe it, it’s that simple,” said Quebec marauder Marc-Antoine Dequoy, referring to the famous duel. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a very good team, but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
A first in 13 years?
Many of them really want to win this championship for Montreal. Maciocia, Dequoy, Kristian Matte, President Mark Weightman and offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo, to name a few.
“I am happy for the city of Montreal, especially for Alouettes fans and for sports fans in general across Quebec. You deserve to experience the excitement of this Gray Cup game,” said Mr. Weightman, obviously wanting a win for Montreal.
Calvillo was the Alouettes’ quarterback in the team’s last win in 2010. It’s already been 13 years!
Photo Benoit Rioux
“Right now our focus is on preparing for the game. We want to make sure we train intensively before the game starts,” Calvillo commented. However, I know Montreal is hungry for a championship and I have a feeling we will have a lot of fans supporting us on Sunday. Alouettes fans and people in the province of Quebec rejoice over the winners.
“I will always remember my first win with the Alouettes in 2002. It was special! I have shared everything with the players over the last few days, but once again it is the work we have put in that could enable the team to experience this. Montreal is my city, Montreal is my home and I really care about what’s happening in the sports scene. Most importantly, I know that Montrealers support their team.”
A legacy of Quebec football
The final word goes to Maciocia, who speaks with emotion of a legacy for Montreal for the day he will no longer be there.
“I’m so happy with my career so far, but I know myself well enough to admit that I’m missing something,” Maciocia admitted. As you reach your 50s and 60s, you stop working on projects and start working on your legacy. A Gray Cup in Montreal would be part of my legacy, and when I leave I want Quebec football to be healthy, to have players, coaches from here and Quebec leaders in the Alouettes. That’s the ultimate goal!”
- “He’s a discreet owner, he doesn’t want to take up too much space and steal the show, but we know he’s super excited,” lineman Kristian Matte said of owner Pierre Karl Péladeau. It brings positive energy. He came into the locker room for the first time a few weeks ago and seemed so happy to be there.”