Calgary Stampeders
By: Nick Villeneuve and Pete Bissonnette
It was an unforgettable season, 2007, and I was not expecting what happened to take over the title of my Favourite TigerTown moment ever, but it happened. A game in general has always been a rewarding experience but sometimes it is what happens during the game among the fans, that the players can’t see, that makes it that much more memorable. Of course you will remember the touchdowns and the scores and who but among those are the cheers and the smiles and the screaming, sometimes so uncontrollable that you know you will have no voice in the morning. We are the fans and our greatest Tiger-Cats moments are what keep us coming back.
My most memorable moment had since been owned by an experience in 1999 in which Paul Osbaldiston kicked a 51-yarder into the wind, taking the Tiger-Cats to the Grey Cup. The sheer joy of watching that happen was a mind-blowing experience in itself.I began waving my flag around deliriously allowing my fan antics to take over. Bellows and shouts and high fives were all around the stadium. In all of the chaos and commotion my flag cut my friends head open. Not severely but enough to leave a scar and an imprint of that very moment of which I write today. We won the Grey Cup that year and that day will always stand out in my mind.
I never thought another memory at good old Ivor Wynne Stadium, home of the Tiger-Cats, could manage to rise above that experience but it has. My friend and I won tickets to the Carling End Zone Tent game. We sat in the Carling Tent decked out in our Tiger Cat gear of black and gold rooting hard for our team. The crowd went wild as Jesse Lumsden scored a 72-yard touchdown. It was the best run I had ever seen. My throat was hoarse from cheering so load. That brought us to the first win of the season in which we were 0-5. That, in itself, was a fantastic memory and my friend and I didn’t hold back on showing our appreciation for the team when a lady came by and snapped a picture of us in our glory.
Sadly the end of the season arrived and as I opened up a program I felt my heart pound and stomach knot. Front and centre in black and white was my greatest memory caught on camera and shared across the Hamilton region for everyone to view. My picture along with my friends was front and centre on the program. It was also on the Tiger Cat schedule. To think that my animated face will be seen every time someone looks at that program or views a game schedule this year makes me incredibly honoured.
I carry that honour as a true Tiger-Cats football fan. Whether they lose or win a game any player can flip to the schedule and see that one fan among many others was enjoying the sport which they play and train daily for, not only for the love of the game but for the love of the fans as well. That is my memory and will always remain with me. It was a raw experience to which I will never forget.
GO CATS GO!!!!
