Some I flag for follow up and let fade into unimportance, others get trashed immediately (like the 1.1 million Euros I won in the Turkish National Lottery this morning). Others I respond to right away.
When Truro Minor Football Association coach Brian Wood emailed me on Wednesday, I answered right away.
Wood invited me to come out to their practice at TAAC Grounds, telling me his players had a special message for a special member of the Truro minor football family.
In Wednesday's paper, Justin Palardy - fresh off joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders practice squad, with a good chance to take another crack at a CFL job - took the time to thank his old peewee squad and give them his best wishes for the start of the season.
This wasn't a "flag for follow up and forget about it" moment.
Growing up in a small town, I remember how it feels to see someone from your situation succeed in chasing their dreams. And I remember how it feels to have them give back.
And so on Wednesday night, I gathered up the Peewee Bombers squad for a team photo, but set my phone on video instead. I asked a simple question, "What would you like to say back to Justin?"
This was their response:
"Hi" - a slow opener, but it gets better...
"Thank you."
"Thank you for congratulating us."
"You're awesome."
"Thanks for wishing us good luck and good luck to you too."
"Have a good season with the Roughriders."
"You're my hero."
"Make sure they win the Grey Cup two years in a row." (No pressure, big guy.)
"And good luck."
"Good luck."
And here's my response:
Thanks Justin, for reminding us all that a few humble words go a long way on and off the field.
And good luck.
Note: Buzzer Beater is a new column by sports editor Ryan Cooke, touching on local sports and the people behind the games.
Some I flag for follow up and let fade into unimportance, others get trashed immediately (like the 1.1 million Euros I won in the Turkish National Lottery this morning). Others I respond to right away.
When Truro Minor Football Association coach Brian Wood emailed me on Wednesday, I answered right away.
Wood invited me to come out to their practice at TAAC Grounds, telling me his players had a special message for a special member of the Truro minor football family.
In Wednesday's paper, Justin Palardy - fresh off joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders practice squad, with a good chance to take another crack at a CFL job - took the time to thank his old peewee squad and give them his best wishes for the start of the season.
This wasn't a "flag for follow up and forget about it" moment.
Growing up in a small town, I remember how it feels to see someone from your situation succeed in chasing their dreams. And I remember how it feels to have them give back.
And so on Wednesday night, I gathered up the Peewee Bombers squad for a team photo, but set my phone on video instead. I asked a simple question, "What would you like to say back to Justin?"
This was their response:
"Hi" - a slow opener, but it gets better...
"Thank you."
"Thank you for congratulating us."
"You're awesome."
"Thanks for wishing us good luck and good luck to you too."
"Have a good season with the Roughriders."
"You're my hero."
"Make sure they win the Grey Cup two years in a row." (No pressure, big guy.)
"And good luck."
"Good luck."
And here's my response:
Thanks Justin, for reminding us all that a few humble words go a long way on and off the field.
And good luck.
Note: Buzzer Beater is a new column by sports editor Ryan Cooke, touching on local sports and the people behind the games.
