Even if the Montreal Alouettes players are still floating on cloud nine, two days after their conquest of the Gray Cup, emotions are gradually fading. And Kristian Matte was caught in the act of being vulnerable.
The deadline is short, but it was time to take stock for the Alouettes players on Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium.
After his team’s victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Gray Cup, Matte was the first player to lift the precious trophy on stage at Tim Hortons Stadium in Hamilton.
When asked by a member of the media to reflect on the events, the 38-year-old veteran did so with emotion.
“It was special. As the old guy on the team, I wanted to take him among the first. I think that a day before, Marc-Antoine Dequoy came to see me and he said to me: by the way, when it’s time to take the cup, you’re the one who’s going to take it first,” said he, tremors in his voice, before breaking down.
Despite the tears, the six-foot-four, 296-pound man continued. “It makes me emotional…There are times when I don’t realize what happened. Guys, we love each other. It was special. So when a guy comes and tells you that, it shows that everyone wanted to be there for each other. »
A few minutes later, Dequoy explained why Matte should be the first to lift the Gray Cup: “Thirteen years of waiting, no one has experienced that. I waited three years and it seemed like a really long time. So I can’t say how long thirteen years is. »
Like Dequoy, David Côté was also particularly proud to see Matte, delighted and accomplished, take the cup. “He lived through the glorious years, he lived through the more difficult years, he lived through a thousand and one changes. And he always stayed. He has always been an impact player on the team. I think it’s the least we can do, in fact, it’s just natural that he’s the one to bring it up first. I wouldn’t have seen anyone else lift it before him. It’s a bit of the heart of this team. »
Matte was part of the last winning edition of the Alouettes in 2010, as a reserve. Since then, he has braved the storms until he saw the sun. Jason Maas is the 10th head coach the guard has been under since joining the CFL 13 years ago.
Even when he saw his “golden friend” come forward and carry the trophy at arm’s length, the Alouettes kicker immediately drew a parallel with a former Colorado Avalanche defender: “When it’s When I arrived, I had a little thought for Raymond Bourque. He had won one before, but it’s not the same. It’s at the end of his career, he waited 13 years anyway…”
Let’s remember that Bourque lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time after 22 seasons in the NHL. It wasn’t Joe Sakic who presented Matte with the trophy, but Dequoy still wanted to make sure the 14-year veteran had his moment of glory.
“It wasn’t even a question,” adds Dequoy. For us, it was certain that it was going to be him. And that shows the respect he has in the team, for a veteran, a guy from here, a guy who gave his heart and soul. It was such a beautiful moment. »
Since the conquest, Matte has been “in seventh heaven.” It is still too early to say if he will return with the team next year. “Right now, I’m not even thinking about that. Two in a row would be fun too, but we’re not there yet. »
But one thing is certain, winning with the group in place will have been one of the great honors of his career: “There was something in the air. The universe wanted this for us. »