Argos: Also-ran Alouettes host Boatmen in basement bowl

MONTREAL— Centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain had tears in his eyes as he poured his heart out to teammates ahead of what could be his final home game as a Montreal Alouette.

On the eve of Montreal’s game against the Toronto Argonauts (4-12) on Sunday, the 10-year CFL veteran gave an emotional speech about team pride and the future of the organization. The league-worst Alouettes (3-13) are nearing the end of a challenging year in which they missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

“He really told people how much and how important being a Montreal Alouette meant to him,” said head coach Mike Sherman of Brodeur-Jourdain’s speech. “I wanted the younger players to hear that. His tears were generated by an affection that he has for the Alouettes and this organization. It was very moving to hear him speak his heart. “I was almost crying too.” Fellow veterans John Bowman, 36, and Stefan Logan, 37, also spoke at the team gathering on Saturday morning.

The 35-year-old BrodeurJourdain is in the final year of his contract, with no talks of renewal. The two-time Grey Cup champion first signed with the Alouettes in 2008. He played all 10 seasons with Montreal — a total of 165 regular-season games.

“If they need me, I’ll be there, for whatever it is,” he said. “I’m an Alouette and I’ll forever remain an Alouette,” he said. “Forever, when I go for my gro- ceries, people will talk to me about the Montreal Alouettes and what’s happening, good or bad. It’s just how it is. It’s a lot of love that we get. “I’m thankful and appreciative of what I’ve lived here as a football player.”

Brodeur-Jourdain wants to end this difficult year on a high by winning the last two games of the season, starting Sunday afternoon against the Argonauts (4-12).

Montreal quarterback Johnny Manziel is still looking for his first victory. His 0-6 record is the longest losing streak to start a QB career in the CFL since Andre Ware (0-8 in 1995-96).