MONTREAL -- In each of the Calgary Stampeders' last two Grey Cup wins, the game's biggest play came courtesy of a hometown hero.
In 1998, Mark McLoughlin kicked the game-winning field goal minutes from his childhood home in Winnipeg.
In 2001, Aldi Henry blocked a punt that led to a Stamps touchdown at Montreal's Olympic Stadium, which is at the same subway stop as his house, Pie IX.
In a game that will be watched live by more than 63,000 football-hungry locals, the stage is set for yet another local product to shine on the CFL's biggest stage.
And thanks to the explosion of popularity the sport enjoyed in the early to mid-'90s, when the Alouettes returned to town, there is no shortage of candidates. A record 10 Quebeckers (11 if you count Ontario-born Stamps punter Burke Dales, who played for Concordia) will suit up in today's 96th Grey Cup at Olympic Stadium.
Ironically, the previous record is believed to be seven from 1970, which just happens to be the only time the Stamps and Alouettes have played in the CFL championship.
And while several of them are backups or practice roster players, they've all dreamed of this opportunity.
"The French content in the CFL is growing every year and the football in Quebec is getting better every year," said Als safety Matthieu Proulx, a product of the relatively new football factory at Laval.
"Football has a universal language, whether it's French or English. As long as you can speak football, you should be fine."
Local officials say close to 30,000 kids are playing football in the province now, up from less than 10,000 in the early '90s.
More high schools, universities and junior colleges in the province boast reputable football programs, and many former players are returning to coach the increasing number of young Francophones. Every year, the CFL looks harder and harder at Quebeckers to fill out pro rosters.
"It's like night and day from when I started," said Stamps linebacker Marc Calixte, who was warned by his old pal Henry he and his French teammates would be amongst the most popular interviews here all week.
"The CFL has a lot to do with it, but it really started from the ground up and all the volunteers. Don't get me wrong, I would have played hockey. But I can't skate."
Stamps defensive lineman Miguel Robede said being French in the CFL has other perks, too.
"It's special to play with and against other Quebeckers because we can take cracks at each other in French and the refs don't know what we're saying," laughed Robede, another Laval grad who watched his former team win the Vanier Cup yesterday.
"That's actually true," laughed Stamps long-snapper Randy Chevrier.
Proulx doesn't mind the extra demands that come with playing for a title in your home province.
"I have been interviewed a lot all week, and it's great to promote the sport in the province," he said.
"The best part about football is if you want to succeed, regardless of the level, you have to be in school. For young guys, it's a great sport."
And it could be made even greater around here if yet another local emerges a hero for yet another generation of players to emulate.
