Colossal. Stunning. Prodigious.
On Sunday evening, we witnessed an anthological moment in the sporting history of Montreal. Not only did the Alouettes win their first championship since 2010, but they did it with panache, 28-24, in the very last minute and, above all, in the role of underdogs.
“They never believed in us,” exclaimed defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy, emotionally, into the RDS microphone.
“You look everywhere, it’s written in English. On the TSN media kit it said Toronto vs. Winnipeg […]. They never believed in us. Well you know what, man ? Keep it, your English. Because we’re going to take this cup, and we’re going to bring it back to Montreal. We’re going to bring her back to Quebec. We’re going to take her home, because we’re the f***ing champions! »
Let’s be frank, in recent months, it’s not just the bosses of TSN and the Canadian Football League who didn’t believe in the Alouettes’ chances. Last winter, no one, absolutely no one, imagined that there would be a Gray Cup parade in Montreal in 2023. Not even the owner of the club? No. In fact, there wasn’t even an owner anymore. The franchise found itself under the supervision of the league.
Remember: unable to pay signing bonuses to free agents, the Alouettes had to let go of their starting quarterback and two of their three best pass receivers.
It is in this context that a new quarterback arrived, Cody Fajardo, author of a difficult season in Saskatchewan. The American has had some rock’n’roll moments this season too. But Sunday night, in the most important game of his CFL career, he delivered. How ? With three touchdown passes, 290 passing yards and player of the game honors.
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Cody Fajardo celebrating the Alouettes’ victory
His brilliance, in the last minute of play, made the difference. With a third down and five yards to go, he found himself facing the obligation of a result. He spotted Cole Spieker for an unexpected 31-yard gain. On the next play, with 13 seconds on the clock and no more timeout in the bank, he sent a laser to Tyson Philpot in the end zone for the winning touchdown. To tell you how unexpected this victory was, the Alouettes’ offense had not produced a touchdown in its other two clashes against the Blue Bombers this season.
No matter how much I search, I don’t remember seeing a Montreal team come from so far to win the championship of its league. The Alouettes of 2002, 2009 and 2010 all finished at the top of their division. The 1993 Canadian was overlooked, but he still finished the season with 48 victories. The CH of 1924? Hey, ho, I would like to believe that my new photo block is aging me, but not that much, anyway.
Otherwise, maybe the Impact of 2009, in the USL. It was a big surprise. On the other hand, the team did not recover from a conservatorship in the same calendar year.
The Alouettes management team deserves praise. The arrival of Pierre Karl Péladeau as owner and Mark Weightman as president helped stabilize the franchise, then relaunch it on solid foundations.
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Pierre Karl Peladeau, owner of the Alouettes
General manager Danny Maciocia performed a miracle by improving his team after losing three offensive stars. The acquisition of Fajardo paid off. Hires Tyler Snead, Shawn Lemon and Kabion Ento as well. Ento also made an interception in the end zone on Sunday. Maciocia also had flair in choosing his successor on the touchlines. Head coach Jason Maas was able to rally his players to his plan, to the point of achieving invincibility in the last eight games.
This Gray Cup will do Montreal good. To the fans. To the organization. With this title, the Alouettes have finally emerged from the zone of indifference in which they have been stuck for too long. That too is a big victory.