(Montreal) Since retiring from the Canadian Football League in 2013 after a career of 15 seasons spent exclusively with the Montreal Alouettes, Scott Flory has returned to the city on a few occasions, each time, with great pleasure. renewed. He’s back there this weekend, but not for the purpose of playing tourists.
“I think the last time I was here was in the summer of 2019, before the pandemic. It hasn’t changed much; it is still a beautiful city. I still have a lot of friends here. It’s a bit of a second home, ”he said on Friday, while walking under the light snow flakes that fell on the city.
If he continues to love Montreal, Flory will however have to endure a day in an environment that he may feel a little more hostile, Saturday afternoon.
He will then be on the sidelines with his University of Saskatchewan Huskies players (7-1) with the goal of overthrowing the University of Montreal Carabins (9-1) in the Cup final. Uteck, at Cepsum.
“I’m not sure,” Flory replied candidly when asked if he felt anything special about playing this game in Montreal.
“The important thing was to take part in this match. It’s good to feel a little familiarity and to be back. We want to play this game no matter where. It’s all over the place that it’s here and we are happy to be here, ”said Flory in a telephone interview he kindly granted to The Canadian Press on Friday, a little over 24 hours before. match.
For Flory, a former offensive lineman with the Alouettes, this return to Montreal also means a reunion with former quarterback Anthony Calvillo, whom he has protected from rival defensive players throughout his career in the CFL.
Now offensive coordinator and instructor in charge of the Carabins’ quarterbacks, Calvillo arrived in Montreal in 1998, a year before Flory. And like Flory, Calvillo ended his career in 2013 with the Alouettes.
The two men were accomplices in three Gray Cup wins, in 2002, 2009 and 2010.
“Of course, it will be very pleasant. We shared very similar influences in terms of play, but at the same time so different because he was a quarterback than I was an offensive lineman. The perspective is very different, ”noted Flory, who had not yet seen Calvillo since arriving in Montreal.
A big deal ”
If Flory calls Montreal a “second home”, its origins are purely Saskatchewan. He was born in Regina and the Saskatoon Huskies were his alma mater.
After his career in the CFL, he returned to his home province in 2014 and immediately joined the Huskies, first as the offensive coordinator until 2016. In 2017, he became the coach- team leader.
I have an intimate relationship with the institution and the city. I have played football a lot in my life, but with very few teams. There must be a little bit of loyalty in me. I imagine that’s the same reason I spent my entire career in the same city.
Scott flory
On Saturday, Flory will look to lead the Huskies to their first appearance in the Vanier Cup final since 2006. Flory himself experienced the ultimate game of Canadian college football in 1996 and 1998. Each time, the Huskies have emerged victorious. The triumph of 1998 was their last.
“It’s a big deal! », Says Flory about the Vanier Cup. “You have to understand that this is the highest level of football in the country, before the professional level.
“Overall it’s a very competitive, robust and fast level of football. It was big business in our day, and it is big business for us today. I try to do my best to help these guys make their dream come true. ”
This dream begins with a duel against the Carabins, the number one team in Canada. A team which, Flory recognizes, has similarities to his, especially in terms of attack.
“I would say there are more similarities than differences between the two clubs. Sometimes when you go up against another association the styles are completely different. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case here, even though there is a process where you discover the opposition. But in terms of style, I don’t think the differences will be that big. ”