Always look on the bright side.

The words themselves may vary a bit, but the gist of it constitutes one of the most famous sayings in the English language.

Not surprisingly, the same sentiment exists in many other languages, too.

Of course, much like the Golden Rule, it’s often easier said than put into actual practice.

So when Stampeders defensive lineman Junior Turner went down with a season-ending knee injury last year, it would have been easy to understand if he was a bit bitter.

Or heck, even a lot bitter.

Then seeing your team roll through the regular season and playoffs en route to their second straight Grey Cup could no doubt sting a little, too.

But Turner decided to make a different choice.

“I just decided to have a lot of fun,” said the 6-foot-3, 266-lb. Toronto native, flashing a wide grin from the chilly sidelines of Commonwealth Stadium today. “And let it be what it was. I just enjoyed everything. I tried to help out where I could and be a leader where I can. The biggest thing was to always talk to people, be vocal when I had to be.”

Instead of thinking of what could have been, he chose to think of what he could do, instead, to help his team win.

“Me and Micah (Johnson) talked about becoming better leaders on the team, realizing we’re senior guys now,” he said. “We just try to lead the young guys and not make the mistakes we did.”

After playing just 13 games over the past two seasons, Turner appeared in all 18 tilts this time around.

His 21 tackles and four sacks helped propel the Stamps to yet another Grey Cup berth, where they will face the Ottawa Redblacks in the 106^th CFL championship tilt this Sunday.

The outlook he gained – and has maintained – since battling injury has made the journey in 2018 all that much sweeter.

“Definitely, definitely, definitely,” said Turner enthusiastically. “Anybody who says different, it would be a lie.

“It gives you a different perspective. To be honest, I was having a lot of fun being a cheerleader. Trying to do that as best I could, encourage my guys. I tried to do that encouraging from a different perspective, because I knew I couldn’t go out and play. That helped me a lot.

“I became a teammate in a different way. I never had to experience that before so I learned a lot. And I think that was instrumental in my growth as a person, as a man. A lot of little things added up to me having fun (this year), and playing free.”

Turner was the Stampeders nominee for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans Award this year, given out in recognition of a player’s courage, perseverance, strength and service to community.

While he didn’t win it – BC Lions fullback Rolly Lumbala taking the trophy home from the annual CFL Awards on Thursday night – his head coach said what the award represents sums up Turner perfectly.

“To me, he’s a leader,” said coach Dave Dickenson. “He works extremely hard and is not always recognized; an emotional guy who is fully vested in the team and the league.”

Emotional.

A word that comes up often when people describe Turner.

Something he fully embraces, something that makes him the player – and person – he is.

“I’m an outspoken person,” he said. “I will always speak my mind, no matter who it is. I will tell you what’s up. I don’t like to sugarcoat stuff. And coach Dicky does a great job of letting us be ourselves. He knows how to talk to us, how to reel us in. What to say, when to say it. But he allows us to be ourselves and that has really allowed us to play free.”

And playing free is when he’s at his best.

When asked what he needs to do Sunday to help the Red & White hoist the sacred hardware, his answer was simple.

“Be Junior,” he replied with a grin.

And, of course, have fun.