By François Ferland
MontrealAlouettes.com
It was 15 years ago, after an absence of ten, that Montreal was back in the Canadian Football League, following the relocation of the Baltimore Stallions.
It was 15 years ago, that Montreal’s new football team was once again named the Alouettes, as it was previously, during the majority of the 40 years of its initial stint in the CFL.
Finally, it was 15 years ago that the Alouettes wrapped-up the first training camp in the history of the reborn franchise, on the campus of John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
The team had a very interesting first season, finishing second in the East Division with a 12-6 record and reaching the East Division Final. Its core was still intact from the season prior and consisted of players from the Baltimore Stallions’ 1995 Grey Cup Championship winning team.
Of note were quarterback Tracy Ham, running back Mike Pringle, offensive tackle Neal Fort, receiver Chris Armstrong, defensive end Grant Carter, cornerback Irvin Smith, and linebacker Tracy Gravely, all all-stars.
Furthermore, in addition to the above the 1996 Alouettes were fortunate enough to also be able to count on the services of receiver Jock Climie, fullback Michael Soles, offensive linemen Uzooma Okeke and Bruce Beaton, defensive tackle Doug Peterson, defensive end Paul Randolph, defensive back Harold Nash, and linebacker Stefen Reid, all players who distinguished themselves in the CFL.
Beasts of the East
Ever since their return to the league in 1996, the Alouettes have been candidates for top honours year-after-year. The team’s cumulative regular-season record currently stands at 176-93, and since relocating from Baltimore, the team has amassed nine East Division titles (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010) and three Grey Cup Championships (2002, 2009, and 2010).
The rebirth of the Alouettes and their tradition of excellence has also had a beneficial effect on the state of amateur football in Quebec, where new teams and leagues have been sprouting like daisies, and, like the Alouettes, have become a force to be reckoned with within the Canadian football landscape, from youth leagues all the way to the university ranks.
Porter
Training camps often have their moments which can move us. One such moment from this past training camp was the case of Jerry Porter.
At the age of 32, the former Oakland Raider (2000 – 2007) was not only attracting a lot of attention at camp, but also seemed thrilled to be reunited with his former coach Marc Trestman, with whom he worked under while the two of them were members of the Oakland team.
Unfortunately however, what looked like it could have been the start of something special, ended just as quickly as it had began when Porter suffered a torn Achilles heel during a practice on the fourth day of camp.
Later in the week, when he appeared in the hallway leading to his room, a dorm on the campus of Bishop’s University, carrying himself on crutches and retrieving his personal effects, it was easy to imagine a curtain falling on his career. Before leaving, Porter thanked the members of the Alouettes staff who were accompanying him to the exit for the opportunity.
Scenes like these mark training camps every year, a sad aspect of the universe of sports, a universe which usually keeps us entertained.
