WESTLOCK - Football season may officially be over, but a couple of senior Westlock Thunderbirds had one game left in them as they were chosen to take part in the Grey Cup festivities in Calgary Nov. 23-24 as part of the Nissan Kickoff project.
Westlock’s Jared Hess and Onoway’s Damian Venedam were nominated by the Thunderbirds coaching staff and were chosen by Nissan as All-Canadian Titans, not only for their prowess on the field, but through their volunteering, education and sportsmanship, as well.
The weekend festivities included playing a game against their peers from around the country and the two Thunderbirds actually ended up on opposite sides of the field, just by luck of the draw. Coach Jon Kramer was also invited to coach one of the teams and ended on Hess’ side.
“It’s a pretty ambitious project to get 70 kids from all over the country, who don’t know each other, don’t know the city and put a weekend on for them is a pretty bold thing to do, but they pulled it off. It was just phenomenal,” said Kramer.
The athletes were well taken care of, with food, lodging and travel all taken care of by Nissan. Past and present CFL players helped them work on their plays. They took in the annual Grey Cup Rodeo, got decked out in their best suits for the CFL Awards at the Saddledome and, of course, they were in the stands for 107th annual Grey Cup between the Winnipeg Bluebombers and Hamilton Tiger Cats.
“I’ve been quite a few rodeos, but nothing quite like that. It was pretty cool,” said Hess, who also gave a shout-out to Nissan for how well put-together the event was.
Added Kramer: ““We’re so thankful that Nissan puts this on for the boys to recognize them for their character and their growth. As a coach who prioritizes that stuff it’s exciting to see somebody corporate give a nod.”
Venedam’s favourite part of the weekend though was the exhibition game with some of the best young football players in the country where he put up three tackles and a sack on the quarterback at McMahon Stadium, the home of the Calgary Stampeders and venue for the game.
“It was pretty good, I got to train with some CFL guys and they also took us to the CFL Awards, which was kind of cool,” said Venedam. “It was a hard game, but it was a good game.”
For the record, the Kramer-coached White team, which included Hess, took the victory. For Kramer, it was his seventh Grey Cup festivities, but the first he’s been invited to coach. Overall, he’s been very impressed with the program.
“There are all sorts of all-star games that are always happening, but it’s pretty neat to be involved in one where the criteria is personal growth and leadership and community service,” said Kramer.
Venedam said it will be a memory he is sure to hold on to. “I’ll remember that I got an opportunity to play with the best of the best at my level and I made some lifelong friends,” he said.
Whether it’s the last time either of them puts on the pads again remains to be seen as both have considered trying out for the Edmonton Huskies, or even the Golden Bears or Dinos university teams, depending on what else the future holds.
“I might try out for the Huskies, maybe later next year, we’ll see how I feel then. I think this was a good way to end my high school football career,” said Hess.
