Brothers Étienne and Justin Cloutier had an unforgettable evening in Laval Rouge et Or’s 48-7 win over the McGill Redbirds on Saturday evening at PEPS.
With the exception of one game in a 2020 season that was canceled due to the pandemic, the brothers wore the colors of the same team for the first time and also wore the formation of their childhood.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Justin, who also played his first game on the university team. It was a really cool experience and I really took the time to enjoy these moments. I’m happy to have experienced my first match with my brother. We still have a few years left that we want to use. We each won a championship with our respective teams last year and the next goal is to win one together.”
Justin plays linebacker and Étienne plays offense, but the two have been on the field at the same time a few times. “We both play on the placement unit,” said Étienne. We thought about it in training, but it’s even better in games.”
A great sense of pride
In the stands, Father Jacques, who wore the colors of the Rouge et Or from 1995 to 1999 and worked as an assistant coach from 2004 to 2012, his wife Isabelle Bouchard and his daughter Marie-Pier enjoyed these magical moments to the fullest.
“I am very proud of my sons,” said the father, who won the 1999 Vanier Cup. As a parent, you want your children to thrive, regardless of the activity they do. To see them reach this level of football and work with the best team in Canada makes me proud.”
“There was a lot of emotion in the air,” added the mother, who, newly married for a few months, had taken a week off to attend the Rouge et Or’s capture of the first national title in Toronto in 1999. I’m very proud of my boys. I wasn’t nervous because I trust them. I was more nervous when Jacques played.
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Cloutier was closely involved in the athletic development of his two sons. “From a young age they played football, swimming and gymnastics because we wanted to give them the tools to develop their skills rather than specializing too quickly. Both are lifeguards. They also played football in primary school and with the Mini Rouge et Or. As a family we traveled all over the province.”
Although he did gymnastics through high school, Justin assures he was never pushed into soccer. “I’ve loved football since I was very young,” he summarized. Football was the easy choice but my parents never pushed me. As a water carrier and ball attendant, I had access to the dressing room before games and at half-time. I saw the players preparing and heard Glen (Constantin) speak. I grew up with football. Not everyone had the chance to have these experiences.”
The coach is never far away
Jacques coached his sons at the Saint-Jean-Eudes Condors and the Limoilou Titans. Today he still helps Étienne, who plays in the same position as him and wears the same number 65. His presence helped Étienne in his transition from blocker to center.
“It’s really special that Étienne plays in the same position and wears the same number,” said the professional engineer. He started his career as a blocker, but I told him to take advantage of every opportunity that came his way. He developed as a center for two years and made throws in the basement. I still have my coach’s eye and we watch film from the Rouge et Or training.”
Étienne loves this new role. “I really like the cerebral aspect of the middle position,” said the student, who took the first step in the admissions process to the prestigious Harvard University after dropping out of college. As for my choice of number, it is no coincidence that I wear 65.”