HAMILTON – “This weekend is a tribute to her.” She is Carolann Grilli, the late mother of Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who breathed her last just over a year ago after a long battle with general cancer. She was only 57 years old.
“Of course I would have liked to have her there,” says the Montreal Alouettes marauder. I know his greatest wish would have been to see me take part in that Gray Cup final.
• Also read: Mutual respect and camaraderie between Mike O’Shea and Jason Maas
• Also read: “A crazy story!” –Danny Maciocia
• Also read: Kristian Matte is thoroughly enjoying the Alouettes’ qualification for the Gray Cup final
When he speaks with an open heart, he is honoring his mother. However, Dequoy insists before answering the questions: he certainly doesn’t feel the need to elicit sympathy. However, he suspects that his story could serve as a comfort to others.
“Grief is universal,” he said. In my case, I learned this early on when, at the age of 28, I lost someone as close to me as my mother. I have since realized that I am not the only one who has experienced this. There are people who have written to me to encourage me or to tell me that they have been there.”
Family in Hamilton
Dequoy is not alone… In addition, there will be a dozen relatives in Hamilton to encourage him. His girlfriend, his father Vincent, his brother Laurent, his in-laws, then also uncles, aunts and all his cousins on his mother’s side.
“They all make the trip,” Dequoy notes. It’s crazy!”
Before Sunday’s big game, the Quebecer will read certain text messages sent to him by his mother, who was a teacher at the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Service Center for many years. He keeps them carefully.
“I still have text messages on my phone,” he admits. Before every game she wrote me encouraging words. I read it again, it helps me.
“Sometimes I think about her and try to convince myself that she is watching from somewhere. I carry her in my heart all the time.”
A gold chain
Dequoy has another special ritual for his football games.
“I have her gold chain that she wore all the time,” he said. I put it on to play. Before every game, I pick her up and think about her before I go on the field.”
Carolann Grilli, mother of Alouettes player Marc-Antoine Dequoy, died on September 16, 2022 as a result of generalized cancer. Dequoy would like to pay tribute to him at the 110th Gray Cup Final this Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Hamilton. Screenshot
Now 29, Dequoy certainly finds inspiration there after having an absolutely exceptional season with the Alouettes. He is also the Eastern Section grand finalist for Most Outstanding Canadian Player, an award that will be presented Thursday during the Canadian Football League gala at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls.
After making five interceptions during the regular season, including two that he turned into touchdowns, Dequoy made a big splash in the Eastern final against the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday. The opponent was dangerous early in the game, intercepting a pass and rushing for 101 yards to put the Alouettes ahead.
Nothing easy
Beyond his athletic achievements, Dequoy strives to grow as a person through the difficult ordeal that is his mother’s death.
“I try as much as possible to take something positive from it,” he concludes. It’s part of my life, it’s part of my journey, but dealing with grief is difficult. Even today it’s not easy to live with.”
This weekend is a tribute to her.
In the final with his childhood club
It’s absolutely crazy that Marc-Antoine Dequoy is representing the Alouettes, his childhood club, in the Gray Cup final.
The boy who grew up in L’Île-Bizard witnessed these games in the stands of the Percival Molson Stadium and applauded Anthony Calvillo. He was just 16 years old at the time of the Montreal club’s last conquest in 2010. On the first of two consecutive conquests, he appreciates the year before even more.
“The 2009 game was the most spectacular, with the Alouettes’ missed field goal at the end of the game and that penalty for the Roughriders for having too many players on the field,” Dequoy remembers.
Archive photo
Remember, Damon Duval and the Alouettes successfully recovered the punt and ultimately won.
With chicken wings
In both 2009 and 2010, the teenager was at the family home in L’Île-Bizard with his older brother Laurent and his parents, who were still a couple at the time. Precious moments, Dequoy even remembers part of the menu.
“The classic, we ate chicken wings and my dad grilled.”
This time, other kids can enjoy watching Dequoy in action during Sunday’s matchup between the Alouettes and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. One day they might remember the 2023 Gray Cup.