Willie Pile
CFL.ca
Is it art imitating life? Or life imitating art? I often question the connection between music and the “real world”. I’ve heard some artists say their life experiences have jump-started their creative genius to pen a song. Conversely (and if you let some mainstream media and “old school” parents tell it), it’s the music that’s dictating our lives in some form or fashion, specifically in our youth. Either way you slice it, there exists a strong bond between music and everyday life.
For example, I’m willing to bet that if a popular song from the ‘90s was playing on your radio right now, you could recall where you were when you first heard it, or maybe even what you were doing. Similarly, if a song was played that had a deeper meaning to you, it would evoke a feeling or nostalgic moment that would have you daydreaming for a second.
With that premise as the background, this season I plan on exploring the correlation between a song’s lyrics or the era/circumstances in which the song was released, to the current issues surrounding the CFL and specifically the Toronto Argonauts. We’ll call this blog series: Willie’s Playlist. Very original, I know!
Up first on my playlist is a classic song by Sam Cooke called “A Change is Gonna Come.” The song was released in 1963, long before my birth, but was remastered and made popular during US President Barack Obama’s campaign to the White House. The part of the song I want to use is the hook that says, “It’s been a long, long time coming, but I know, a change is gonna come!” If any song represents the 2010 Argonauts, this one is it.
Since last season, the Double Blue have changed ownership from David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski to David Braley; changed head coaches from Bart Andrus to Jim Barker; and I even joined in on the “fun” by changing positions from Sam ‘backer to Free Safety. All these changes were necessary for the short and long-term success of the Toronto Argonauts.
The first impactful change began at the top of the organization, where our owners David and Howard, whom I hold in high regard for their passion and dedication to the Toronto Argonauts, ended their six-year run at the wheel of the good ship Argos, highlighted by a Grey Cup Championship in 2004. For all they’ve done, we thank them.
However, the conclusion of David and Howard’s tenure spawned a first in the CFL, where one person, David Braley, acquired the Argonauts, thus owning two CFL franchises. While many outsiders could speculate and speak negatively towards the scenario of one person owning 25% of the league’s franchises, our league saw it as a tribute to a great Canadian who wanted to see our league remain successful through turbulent economic times.
Not to mention that the Canadian government appointed Mr. Braley to the Senate, speaking volumes to the respect and influence Mr. Braley garners throughout Canada. A new ownership era is upon us and with the new energy surrounding the Argos in 2010, a change HAS come at the top of our organization.
A second impactful change this off-season was the termination of Bart Andrus and his staff and the hiring of Jim Barker and his staff. While green when it came to CFL coaching experience, Andrus and his staff did their best to adapt to the nuances of three-down football. Unfortunately, they didn’t adapt fast enough and were let go. We as players weren’t completely exonerated from our role in producing a 3-15 record in 2009, but we played hard throughout the season and the ones who remained on the roster knew that a “change was gonna come.”
Enter Jim Barker, a coach who has been a part of the CFL for over a decade as both a position coach in the trenches, and as the head man on the sidelines. He’s even been a General Manager and personnel guy, responsible for encouraging several of today’s CFL stars to try the CFL game in the first place.
Coach Barker’s staff is a mix of experience, youth, energy, and efficiency, already providing the benefits of an experienced staff throughout training camp and the pre-season. We players are all feeling fortunate to be a part of the new regime whose unofficial mantra has become, “No Excuses, Just Results!”
The last and most significant change for me had to do with my position change. For the past 3 years, I’ve manned the starting Sam linebacker position for the Argonauts and have held my own at the most demanding position on defence. At Sam, you have to be physical enough to play the run and take on linemen, while being athletic enough to cover slotbacks and deep zones.
So it was (but really wasn’t) to my surprise when training camp began that I was asked to move to free safety and provide a leadership and playmaking role in our very talented secondary. I’ve always been a natural free safety since my high school, college, and NFL days, but the Sam ‘backer position allowed to me explore other strengths in my game and prepared me for the day I would eventually move to free safety.
With former Argo All-Star Orlondo Steinauer coaching the Defensive Backs, I have a coach who, as my teammate from 2007-2008, took me under his wing when I first crossed the border and taught me the CFL game. Utilizing his knowledge of CFL personnel and offences, I’m confident in our ability to collectively provide great play and leadership for our defence and special teams and be successful this season.
I’m not sure if Sam Cooke knew how powerful or influential his song would become. I don’t know if he penned the lyrics to his song thinking it would apply to a wide range of arenas from politics to sport. But when creating my playlist for the season, “A Change is Gonna Come” is the first song that came to mind when thinking of the 2010 edition of the Toronto Argonauts.
