Marc-Antoine Dequoy did not really appreciate the treatment reserved by the Canadian Football League and the TSN network for the Montreal Alouettes and the French-speaking world in general.
The Alouettes marauder took advantage of the interview conducted on the field by RDS colleagues after his team’s 28-24 victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to set the record straight.
“They never believed in us! You look everywhere, it’s written in English, he said of the display in Tim Hortons Field. Even on the guide [télé] from TSN, it said Argos versus Blue Bombers.
“But you know what? Keep your English because we won these cups and then we’re going [les] bring back to Montreal, Quebec. Because we are “f…” champions! »
In a press scrum a little later, he clarified his thoughts.
“We end up being the champions after all those who doubted us, it’s a childhood dream that comes true.
“You can doubt the Quebecers and the Alouettes as much as you want. In the end, it’s not your predictions that win football matches. »
Head coach Jason Maas also addressed the doubts that several observers had about his club.
“I said it before we faced the Argos: let the prognosticators make their predictions,” he said. When you look at our team and what we did at the end of the season, we were one of the hottest teams at the end of the season. We ended up winning eight games in a row. In the CFL, you usually have to give more respect to the team that arrives in the playoffs on such a high note.
“In addition, we have won 11 games this season. It’s not like we were a bad team to begin with. Let them predict what they want: I know the value of our team, the players I can count on. […] I will always believe in this group when they work like they did and these players play for their teammates. This is how you become invincible. »
Patience pays off
Guard Kristian Matte was the only player to win the Alouettes’ last Gray Cup in 2010. He found his patience was worth it.
“But I would like to repeat this more often!” It’s an incredible feeling right now.
“Since the start of the year, we believed in ourselves. We knew that every day, if we worked hard, we would be successful. Last week, we had more difficulties offensively, but we did what we had to do and we had success. […] We saved our best game for last! »
The 38-year-old veteran doesn’t know if he has played his last match, but the emotions experienced over the last week give him the desire to continue.
” I feel good. I think I played well,” he said rightly.
“It’s something that I will discuss with my family and the organization, but I would tell you that for now, I want to continue. I won’t say it right away, but…” Matte added, raising two fingers, as if to indicate that he would like to win a second in a row.
One thing at a time: for now, the Alouettes should hold their victory parade on Wednesday. The team will return to Quebec on Monday.