During the Thanksgiving weekend, I hope between turkey times, everyone had a moment to be give thanks for what they have. Whether that is family, friends, health, education, religion, safety, shelter, sport playoffs, country music or whatever makes your list.
Often with thanks comes grace and class and not often enough does that true class get shown on the ice, grass, hardwood or turf by professional athletes.
Fortunately sport fans had an opportunity to be thankful for two of the classiest athletes reaching major milestones. Days before they ate their turkey, a pitcher did something no one has done for over 50 years and Monday, while the smells of a feast filled the house, the CFL's little big-playmaker made another play.
Last week, former Blue Jay Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter in his first post-season game. The word among his teammates portrayed through the media is that no one works harder or prepares more for their next start in the majors. It is a great thing to see Doc dominate. Too bad the Jays couldn't have got him to the playoffs and let him dominate for them. Nonetheless you have to be happy for a player like that. He gave everything he had to the Toronto Blue Jays, and had to finally cut the ties with Canada's lone MLB team.
After just one game in the playoffs he has changed everyone's life. Well maybe not directly, but did you know the 10th month on the calendar is officially known as Docotber? Printing companies are going to be going crazy trying to update all the calendars printed.
The other athlete achieving a major milestone received a league high 1,007 passes. Ben Cahoon caught four passes in Montreal's win over Calgary. First, we in Saskatchewan have to thank the Alouettes for beating Calgary after we stunk out Mosaic Stadium, keeping the Riders within two points of first in the division. Doctober 17, is going to be the biggest game of the season in Regina.
As for Cahoon he became the CFL's all-time leading receiver and he did it with a ton of class. If you can find five highlights with Cahoon showboating a catch or getting in a defensive back's face, I will sign over my minuscule pay cheque. Don't bother looking, you won't find it and it isn't worth it.
The Riders' receivers are a long way behind the career stats of Cahoon, but they show similar class to Cahoon. Dressler and Fantuz often make the catch get hit hard and get right back in the huddle, not showboating, just playing the game.
Cahoon caught the CFL's record pass at 38 and when the game was delayed and players from his team and the Stampeders instantly congratulated him you had to realize he is a special player and special ambassador of the CFL. He has never been cocky, just works hard and does his thing.
On the topic of classy athletes remember Joe Sakic not lifting the Stanley Cup, but instead passing it Ray Bourque after Colorado won in 2001.
There are a ton of professional athletes and unfairly they are looked as superheroes, but few can make it through their entire careers with the class and professionalism their fans, teammates and opponents deserve.
For athletes like Sakic, Halladay and Cahoon, I am thankful.
