Gridiron warriors of bygone days yesterday shared the Grey Cup with veterans who slugged it out on a deadlier field of battle.
CFL greats John Helton, Ezzrett (Sugarfoot) Anderson, Glen Suitor and current Stampeders star Joffrey Reynolds accompanied the coveted chalice to the Carewest Colonel Belcher Centre, where dozens of war vets were honoured for their service.
"My 14 years in the CFL are nothing compared to the years these guys spent away from home and what they went through," said Stamps all-star Helton, whose father served during the Second World War.
"We never dodged bullets and the only bombs we had were long bombs.
"This is wonderful."
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon noted the military contributed players to the league to keep it alive during the Second World War when so many regulars went off to fight.
"There's a special bond between the veterans and our league," said Cohon, adding the sacrifices of the country's soldiers allow Canadians to enjoy sport spectacles in peace.
"The Grey Cup has been in he company of many Canadian football heroes but today it was welcomed by the truest Canadian heroes of them all, men and women who served our country with incredible courage and selfless devotion."
Korean War vet John Nelson -- who was dubbed one of the most valuable players during the ceremony -- smiled broadly while posing with the Grey Cup, flanked by two scarlet-clad Mounties.
The players may get physical, said Nelson, but they don't have it as rough as he did as an infantryman with the Royal Canadian Regiment.
"They don't carry rifles," said the 81-year-old, who helped lead fellow vets in singing O Canada.
"But I'm a football fan -- I'll be cheering for whoever wins and Montreal's been the best."
CFL footballs signed by the players were handed out to veterans and educators after a bugler played The Last Post.
The league has been saluting ex-soldiers at its games throughout the year.
BILL.KAUFMANN@SUNMEDIA.CA
