JORDEN HANDLED HIMSELF LIKE A TRUE CHAMPION
An open letter to the Calgary Stampeders’ Kamar Jorden:
We have never met — so congratulations on your good fortune in that regard. That welcome news aside, I realize the past few days have been difficult.
Millions watched the 105th Grey Cup game, from which the Toronto Argonauts emerged with a 27-24 victory over Calgary.
One of the key plays was your fumble, which Cassius Vaughn returned 109 yards for a gamealtering touchdown.
But here is what stands out for this seasoned scribe.
After the game, surrounded by reporters and cameras, you stood up in the Stampeders’ dressing room and faced the music.
Most, if not all, were not there to ask about your touchdown or about a spectacular fingertip grab that produced a 37-yard gain and put your team in position to score the tying or winning points in the waning seconds.
No, the dominant line of questioning pertained to the fumble — even though the Stampeders shouldn’t have been throwing the ball to you, or anyone, on the Argonauts’ eight-yard line with fewer than five minutes left.
A chip-shot field goal would have given your team, a defensive powerhouse, a two-possession lead. Run the ball, take the three points, and accept the Grey Cup.
The circumstances being drastically different, you are now being characterized in some forums as a Grey Cup goat.
You were actually one of the best players in the game, despite the fumble, but such unfair labels are easily, lazily attached. I saw your 37-yarder and instantly regarded it as one of the best catches in any of the 48 Grey Cups I watched.
After, you showed you embrace accountability, even though you didn’t owe anything to anyone who asked questions of you.
“I cost this team the game,” you said.
With all due respect, Mr. Jorden, you are wrong. Your play was among the reasons your team was in the game.
Your touchdown, which featured 33 of your team-high 117 receiving yards, came on thirdand-three. You caught a short pass, turned on the jets, and nobody could catch you.
Memories are selective. But here is one recollection worth considering — one from 2004.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders nearly got to the Grey Cup that year. They extended the host B.C. Lions to overtime in the West final before losing 27-25.
The lasting image is of the crestfallen Riders kicker, Paul McCallum, who missed an 18-yard field goal in OT. McCallum felt so bad he didn’t want to face his teammates. But he did face the media. He was every bit the standup guy.
Only two years later, McCallum was in the spotlight once again. He kicked six field goals to help B.C. register a 25-14 Grey Cup win over the Montreal Alouettes.
McCallum richly deserved to revel in the victory, having experienced the other end of the spectrum and having handled a nightmarish situation with such remarkable professionalism.
Pro sports can be cruel, as you and McCallum know only too well. However, there are other games, other days, better days.
After Sunday’s game, you emulated McCallum — as opposed to, say, Cam Newton — and the decency at a terrible time was noted. May another day in the life of Paul McCallum — a day reminiscent of Nov. 19, 2006 — be in your future.