EDMONTON – It was a Sunday to remember for many, perhaps none moreso that Bo Levi Mitchell and Dave Dickenson.
The two leaders of the Stampeders, finally winning it the Grey Cup together.
“Man, Dave’s not talked about enough in the right way,” began quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, unwillingly rescued from the Moet & Chandon showers transforming that swanky borrowed Edmonton Eskimos dressing room into a bubbly water park.
“That’s the greatest coach I’ve ever been around.
“Me and Dave butt heads. You’ll find out on the Live-Cam, see how many times we argued tonight, and throughout the entire season. We argue. A lot. We butt heads. A lot.
“Because we’re both perfectionists. We’re both very intelligent when it comes to this. He’s been doing it a very long time and he wants to win more than anybody.
“We had about five hours off, I think it was Saturday night, and I go to pick my tickets up. And I knew for some reason that Dave’s going to be in the office (at the hotel) doing something. Walked in there, he’s going over the call sheets, changing things. I sat down and talked to him about the game plan for an hour, just to get the knowledge from him.
“I love that guy,
“He deserves this.
“He got us to the Grey Cup three years in a row. And I’m telling you: That man’s the smartest coach out there.”
The ghosts of 2016 and ’17 are exorcised. Those snarky demons banished. All doubt dispelled.
That question, asked more often than ‘How you doin’ today?’ down at McMahon Stadium these past two years can now be put to bed.
“2018 Grey Cup champions,” replied beaming middle linebacker Alex Singleton to one interviewer’s query about his staunch defence.
“2018 Grey Cup champions,’’ he said to another regarding the massive punt return TD from Terry Williams.
“2018 Grey Cup champions,’’ he repeated, still grinning, when asked about finally sealing the deal.
That’s probably the only answer anyone really needs today.
Bo Levi Mitchell with his Grey Cup MVP Award. (Photo by Candice Ward)
Mitchell’s now a two-time Grey Cup champ (as well as a two-time Grey Cup MVP).
And Dave Dickenson has his first ring as a head coach.
The Katy Kid went 24-for-36 for 253 yards and a couple touchdown passes, first to tailback Don Jackson on a perfectly executed screen, and then Lemar Durant.
When Dickenson took his turn in the interview room post-game, he brought along son Cooper, who fielded a few questions before pop took the microphone.
“It’s big,” said dad, asked for his personal feelings about the 27-16 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks. “Listen, as a starting quarterback you don’t feel right if you can’t win one (championship).
“I don’t think my life would’ve been the same without a head coach title, as well.
“But players win championships. I do believe that, too.
“We couldn’t get it done the last two years. We didn’t want to answer question after question about that. It was good that the head coach put his foot in his mouth (referring to his comment about Mike O’Shea during the West final caught on live microphones) so you guys could focus on that instead of ‘Why didn’t you win?’
“I didn’t have the answer. So to do it in 2018 with this group … A lot of people doubted us and we used it.”
Head coach Dave Dickenson gets the Grey Cup from CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie. (Photo by David Moll)
The Stamps used another towering performance from their defence, the 97-yard punt return overdrive TD from Williams with one – count it, one – second remaining in the first half and some additional inspired special-teams play to subdue the Redblacks.
“I thought our message was strong,’’ said Dickenson. “We’re a family. We’ve been living on this 12 Strong thing all year. Except we believe it. It’s not just a motto, a slogan.
“Our guys want to play with each other, want to spend time with each other. And we’ve got a lot of talented people but sometimes talent isn’t enough. I’m not sure this team was as talented as the last two years.
“Very tight. And we just got it done.”
The relief was palpable in Dickenson’s voice, his posture.
He patted Connor on the shoulder.
“He won a provincial championship up here, in Edmonton this year,” revealed the proud pop. “So Edmonton’s treating us well in 2018.”
They did what they came for.
And in the doing, under heavy pressure, once again re-established the White Horse atop the CFL.
When informed that defensive co-ordinator DeVone Claybrooks had promised to stay awake long enough to see the sun rise in celebrations, Dickenson, looking absolutely spent, managed a slight smile.
“That’s okay. I’ll do enough sleeping for both of us.”