Geno wrote book on determination
Makowsky set bar for Riders
REGINA — Here is where it stands for the Saskatchewan Roughriders after a frenetic Friday: Gene Makowsky is exclusively an MLA with the governing Saskatchewan Party. Andy Fantuz is a member of the opposition.
It was a dizzying confluence of events — the retirement of a beloved veteran (Makowsky) and the departure, via free agency, of a popular receiver whose smiling visage was conspicuous on boxes of the Fantuz Flakes breakfast cereal.
Shortly after Fantuz announced via (what else?) Twitter that he had signed with the Hamilton TigerCats, a tearful Makowsky confirmed that he was retiring after 17 seasons of exemplary service.
“I’m here to announce my ...,’’ said the 38-year-old Makowsky, who was then overcome by emotion as he struggled to utter the word “retirement.’’
But Makowsky came through, as he invariably did during his eventful and extended time with the Roughriders.
Thebreadthof Makowsky’s career is truly staggering. As a rookie in 1995, he suited up for Roughriders road games in those noted CFL havens, Memphis and Birmingham.
Back then, the CFL scrounged together some desperately needed funds by seemingly awarding an American expansion franchise to anyone who wanted to own a pro football team.
The ranks of Makowsky’s teammates at the time included luminaries such as Ray Elgaard and Dave Ridgway, both of whom were in the lat- ter stages of 14-year careers with the Green and White.
All these years later, Makowsky is a mortal lock to eventually join Elgaard and Ridgway in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Who could have imagined it when Makowsky, a freshfaced freshman from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, quietly but determinedly made his debut with the Riders?
Makowsky seemed to go out of his way to evade the spotlight — meaning that he was among the unlikeliest candidates to receive attention and accolades.
I still remember the day in 1996 when Jim Daley, the Roughriders’ head coach at the time, sidled up to me and confided: “Rob, I’ve got a scoop for you.’’
My antennae were activated as I salivated at the notion of breaking the story of the century.
The scoop/punchline was this: “Gene Makowsky said something today.’’
Makowsky has since spoken volumes with his play. A five-time CFL all-star, he was twice named the league’s outstanding offensive lineman. He was also the first person to receive the Grey Cup from commissioner Mark Cohon after the Roughriders won the 2007 league final.
It was one of the Roughriders’ all-time feel-good moments — Makowsky, then an upstart of 34, finally hoisting the Grey Cup in his 13th season of pro football. The next season, he was named the outstanding offensive lineman in the West Division. Even in his mid-30s, he was still at the top of his game.
In fact, he could have kept playing. The Roughriders had invited him back for what would have been an unprecedented 18th season in green and white. The pro football business is unforgiving, yet Makowsky was able to step aside on his terms.
“I just like to think that I played the game the way it’s supposed to be played, and that I earned every paycheque,’’ said Makowsky, who was elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in November. “I’ve always felt that it’s a privilege to play for the Roughriders and I hope I have demonstrated that.’’
Makowsky once again demonstrated the class, consideration and good humour that have become so synonymous for the last person ever to wear No. 60 for the Roughriders. On Friday, “Geno’’ — as he is widely and affectionately known — made a point of shaking hands with and cordially thanking everyone who attended the media conference.
It was yet another interaction with a member of Roughriders royalty — a self- effacing gentleman whose accomplishments are anything but modest.
Makowsky certainly belongs in an echelon with the elite players in franchise history, such as Ron Lancaster, George Reed and Roger Aldag. A jersey retirement would seem to be a formality for a homegrown legend of the game.
Yet, it was perhaps appropriate that Makowsky shared the spotlight on Friday, considering his selfness nature and his willingness to defer to others. Although the local sports media turned out en masse for the announcement, there was a second story to pursue. News had just broken that Fantuz was destined for Hamilton.
To address that issue, Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman was summoned to the Green and White Lounge to meet with reporters. Before Taman could field any Fantuzrelated inquiries, he said: “I know what you’re here to talk to me about, but most importantly I want to talk about Gene.’’
The priorities were most certainly in order. Nonetheless, the Fantuz story had to be addressed in some depth. One of the most popular Roughriders in recent memory — someone who could have owned this city, and this province, if that had been his aspiration — had decided to sign a lucrative, inevitable deal with the Tiger-cats.
Anyone who excoriates Fantuz for his decision should sit back, take a deep breath, and appreciate what he brought to the franchise. Remember that his fourthquarter touchdown catch in the 2007 Grey Cup, in which he was named the most outstanding Canadian, provided what turned out to be the winning score. He also helped the Roughriders reach two other Grey Cup games, catching a touchdown pass in the 2009 league final and amassing 1,380 receiving yards during the regular season that followed.
For his trouble, he was named the CFL’S most outstanding Canadian in 2010. Had he remained in Saskatchewan, he could have stocked a trophy case in a manner reminiscent of another Roughriders slotback of note.
“You’re talking Ray Elgaard, plus,’’ Roughriders president-ceo Jim Hopson mused. “Ray had that long career and great numbers and was seen as a face of the team, but it’s not meant to be.’’
Not for Fantuz, anyway. He will move on, as is his prerogative, and assuredly be successful in his new environs. However, the events of Friday ensured that Fantuz will not occupy the same stratosphere as Makowsky.
One of them is an icon. The other one could have been.