Corey Grant
CFL.ca
I would like to say congratulations to the 2008 Grey Cup Champions, the Calgary Stampeders. You have earned the highest honour in the CFL and now you will always been known as Champions.
The Grey Cup is yours to enjoy and defend in 2009.
The 2008 season is now behind us and we can begin to look forward to the 2009 season. But before we move forward lets make sure we take the time to reflect on how great the 2008 season was. We need to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes because before we know it, the 2009 season will be here.
The off-season has begun and changes will take place to every team whether big or small and as players we must remind ourselves why we play the game. “We play for the love of the Game and because it’s the greatest team sport in the World!”
“Love the game. Love the game for the pure joy of accomplishment. Love the game for everything it can teach you about yourself. Love the game for the feeling of belonging to a group endeavouring to do its best. Love the game for being involved in a team whose members can’t wait to see you do your best. Love the game for the challenge of working harder than you ever have at something and then harder than that. Love the game because it takes all team members to give it life. Love the game because at its best, the game tradition will include your contributions. Love the game because you belong to a long line of fine athletes who have loved it. It is now your legacy. Love the game so much that you will pass on your love of the game to another athlete who has seen your dedication, your work, your challenges, your triumphs… and then that athlete will, because of you, love the game.”
—Unknown
During the off-season it is our responsibility as players to train ourselves for the game we love, but also to pass on our love for the game to the athletes of tomorrow. We must remember to go out in our communities and be an inspiration to others conveying the message of goal setting, self discipline, and commitment. These are important qualities for professional athletes to possess for continued success in their career and virtues all individuals must desire to have success in their lives.
It is our job as players to promote this Great Game and be ambassadors and positive role models for the CFL. No matter what we do as players during the off-season, we must remember that we are representing ourselves, family, team, and the CFL. “With great power, comes great responsibility.” —Uncle Ben to Peter Parker in Spiderman
I would like to thank CFL.ca for giving me the opportunity to write a blog for their website. It was an honour and a privilege to write my opinions during the 2008 season. I hope everyone that read my blog enjoyed my insights and took something away with them, be it positive or negative.
I would like to say thank you to the CFL for giving all of us players a chance to play this great game, which we love so much.
I would like to say thank you to all of the CFL fans around the world because without your support there would be no CFL. You are the reason the CFL is a great league and the 2008 season was a great success.
Finally, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and here’s to counting down the days till the start of the 2009 season.
Corey Grant is a 10 year CFL veteran who has played with the Ti-Cats, Alouettes and, for the last 7 seasons, the Roughriders. A Stoney Creek, Ont. native, Corey has won Grey Cups in 1999 and 2007. He was named the East Division Outstanding Rookie in 1999.
