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February 24, 2017

Alex is freezin’ for a reason

Alex Singleton with his sister and mom

The forecast high for Saturday is partly sunny and minus-3 Celsius. So at 11 a.m., factoring in a low of minus-15 the night before and a chance of snow, figure, oh, minus-10 or so.

A tad chilly for, well, just about anyone.

But California dudes? They’re accustomed to taking Baywatch-inspired dips in the Pacific Ocean off world-famous beaches, not in the icy waters of Arbour Lake come late February.

“I’ve had offers to do it in a Stampeder bikini and stuff,’’ reports Calgary Stampeders’ linebacker Alex Singleton of his upcoming Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Alberta.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.

“A Speedo? Nah. This is supposed to be a big event, lots of people there. So I think I’ll spare them, and me, that.

“Maybe just shorts and a Stampeder jersey will do.

“Hey, I’ve been practising. I do the equivalent of a Polar Plunge every day after practice, zero to seven-eight degrees. Get in the cold tub, sit for 10 minutes and get out.”

And through the wet chill, he’ll undoubtedly be smiling (if maybe through chattering teeth).

Alex Singleton with his family at the 2016 CFL Player Awards

Alex Singleton with his family at the 2016 CFL Player Awards

Smiling, see, is something Alex Singleton does. A lot.

And not only when he stuffs, say, John White or Jeremiah Johnson at the line of scrimmage.

“There’s nothing to be down about, not in my world, especially now,’’ he reports. “Even if you’re having a hard day, it’s the best day.”

Singleton –coming off a superb rookie CFL season at linebacker – takes his cue in that life philosophy from older sister Ashley, born with Down Syndrome. She smiles a lot, too.

“She’s been involved in Special Olympics the past 22 years,’’ he explains.

“So it’s been a huge part of our family’s life, my life.

“I went from my sister’s biggest supporter to being 12 years old and a volunteer coach. At 16, I actually was employed in high school coaching (Special Olympics) bowling and track, activities after school when I could.

“Special Olympics gives people who are more athletic than anybody I know an opportunity to compete their entire lives.

“I love the coaching. That’s what I’m going to do when I’m finished playing. Coach football. Even now I’m picking the coaches’ brains, not just learning how to play but why you do certain things at certain times.”

The example Ashley sets, says her brother, is a high bar to emulate.Alex Singleton's sister Ashley

“Growing up, some mornings I’d wake up, feeling kinda down or tired, and not want to do things.

“But my sister would be there, sitting on the couch, same time – 7 a.m., still, to this day – ready to go. Maybe you’d lose a game, be thinking ‘Ahhhhh, man …’ But she’d already be telling me to forget about it because we’re going to win the next one.

“With that kind of example, you’ve got no choice to pick it up and smile.

“She’s made such an impact on everyone. My friends would come over to the house when I was younger and they’d see how upbeat she was, the kind of energy she had. It’d pick them up.

“And nobody – nobody – wants to win more than she does.”

As it so happens, Ashley’s paying a visit to Calgary in the week ahead and the Singleton siblings will be attending Tuesday night’s crucial NHL clash at the Scotiabank Saddledome between the L.A. Kings and Flames.

Cheering for opposite sides.

“She’s a huge Kings fan,’’ confesses younger brother. “She’ll have her stuffed mascot, the lion, (Bailey), I’m sure. But I’ll be wearing my Flames’ jersey right next to her.

“And giving her a hard time when it’s, oh, 8-0 for Calgary. In the second period.”

Ashley was also on hand at BMO Field in late November for the Grey Cup game, that still-heart-wrenching 39-33 OT loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.

“She was not happy that day. She watched us all year, loved the whole thing.

“After the game, she was the one crying. I was like ‘Oh, man.’ I couldn’t even go out right away because I knew how hard it was going to be on her that we’d lost.

“She’d been just so excited to get to go out that night and celebrate. So I went over and told her I was sorry. And she said: ‘Why? Why?’

“The next day, when she found out this year’s Grey Cup was going to be in Ottawa, she said: ‘Cool. That’s even better. Now we get to go celebrate there.’

“I’m like: ‘OK, guess we gotta go do it.’

“She hates the RedBlacks now, I can tell you that.”

Alex Singleton with his sister Ashley at a Stamps practice

Alex Singleton with his sister Ashley at a Stamps practice

The Special Olympics tie remains strong in Singleton – after coaching swimming and bowling, working dances and painting workshops – all these years later.

“When you’re a 12-year-old volunteering at Special Olympics, no one pays much attention,’’ he says. “But now, maybe someone else, a football fan, will look at me and go: ‘Oh, wow, If he’s going to support such a big cause, maybe I should at least look into it.’

“To hopefully change someone’s perspective or attitude, I’d dive into cold water any day of the week.”

The Plunge draws near.

A frigid experience for all concerned, undoubtedly. Especially so for a California dude from Thousand Oaks.

But the tagline for the event – Freezin’ For a Reason – could not be more apt.

“Cold?’’ reasons Alex Singleton. “Yeah. I’m sure it will be.

“But that’s okay. Should be fun.

“I think any temperature is the right temperature if you’re jumping in for a good cause.”

*Update: Here is video of Alex’s plunge…