When the Edmonton Eskimos were crowned Canadian Football League champs last Sunday night following their 26-20 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks, Westlock’s Simeon Rottier was among those hoisting the Grey Cup.
Despite being sidelined by a nagging knee injury that kept him out of playoff action, the offensive lineman said it was a thrill to be a part of 103rd CFL championship game.
“It was crazy,” Rottier said. “I’ve played seven years … and you just realize how special it is and how lucky you are.
“I waited until the last second … I knew we were going to win with about 40 seconds left, but when that last second hit, it was just mayhem.”
Rottier said his family was able to make the trip to Winnipeg to share the special day with him.
“My family all ran onto the field — it was amazing to celebrate with them. It was everything I ever hoped for in my football career,” he said.
“I’ve won championships before at the junior level and I’ve always felt the best part is being able to share it with the people around you.
“My family has been there as long as I’ve been playing football, so it’s been pretty special to share that with them.”
Having almost recovered from his injury, Rottier said he was hopeful to be in the lineup for the big game, but two days prior he was given the bad news.
“I was pretty down for a day or two there, but once it came to game time there were a couple of us that got to hang out. They asked us to help out on the sidelines, to be an extra set of eyes with our O-line coach and talk to the guys,” he said.
“I felt like I had a good role and I was just excited to watch … I really felt like I was still part of the game.
“If it was up to me I would have played, but looking back on it, [medical staff] made the call and they said they were looking out for me so that I wasn’t going to hurt my knee any worse than what it was.”
Rottier said at times he felt like a fan on the sidelines, but also a part of the team.
“I probably felt a little bit more like what a fan would have felt like as opposed to being dressed and just kind of in game mode,” he said.
Despite his team falling behind early, Rottier said he never doubted their ability to come back.
“When we were down 13-0 I was feeling the nerves just as much as anyone else,” he said.
“There was never a sense of panic and that’s the way it was all year with us. We had been down a bunch of times and we knew we had what it took to come back.
“It still came down to the wire and it was crazy. It was a good game.”
Rottier said while the feeling of being a Grey Cup champ is still sinking in, he looks to share the championship with his home town during the off season.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll get a chance to get [the cup] for a few days and when that happens, I’m definitely bringing it to Westlock because that’s where it all started,” he said.
