Gabriel’s marriage one heck of a play

Tony Gabriel has experienced some memorable Grey Cup Sundays, but Nov. 24, 2013 stands alone.

Just over three years ago, the legendary CFL receiver was at Mosaic Stadium for the 101st Grey Cup game, between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders. After Saskatchewan won 45-23, Gabriel returned to his hotel and read a life-altering — altar-ing? — email.

The message was sent by Gabriel’s “college sweetheart,” Lyle Kahle, to whom the former Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders tight end had been engaged in the early 1970s.

“At the Grey Cup in Regina, I was sitting on about the five- or 10-yard line with Martin Short and Tom Hanks,” Gabriel recalled. “I got back (to the hotel) and got her email, and things went from there.”

Gabriel and Kahle were married on June 16 of this year.

“We marvel and laugh about it,” Gabriel, a two-time Grey Cup champion, said with a chuckle. “Can you believe it?”

The couple had met in 1969 when they were attending Syracuse University. The relationship continued into Gabriel’s early years as a CFLer, with the Tiger-Cats, but the marriage never came to fruition.

Both of them went on to marry twice, have families and enjoy successful careers. But then, while looking through some boxes in 2013, Kahle found one keepsake that she thought Gabriel would like.

“Lyle was trying to return my athletic letter ‘S’ from Syracuse for my grandchildren,” Gabriel said. “Lo and behold, three years ago she sent an email on the day of the Grey Cup in Regina.

“It was a great game that Saskatchewan won against Hamilton, my former team. It’s funny how things in history come back together.”