Bayfront Park, Hamilton

After 70 days, over 150 stops, and thousands of kilometres the Grey Cup 100 Tour train arrived in Toronto after touching thousands of lives across our great country.

How do you describe the journey that’s taken place over the past 10 weeks?

How do you describe the encounters our Cup has had with people from coast to coast- at train stations, at schools, on farms, in hospitals and in restaurants?

You don’t.... at least not adequately anyway. Attempting to summarize the pilgrimage this Cup has made would be futile. It would be unfair and unjust, quite frankly, to reduce these 70 days to soundbites, slogans, cliches.

They’ve just been too meaningful, too jammed with emotion and passion and stories and people.

People like Tracey in Okotoks, whose late husband played in the league and whose young son finally gained an understanding and appreciation for his father’s career after seeing the train.

Like Gary in Sarnia, who was reduced to tears after finding a photo of his grandfather, a ’36 Grey Cup champ, on the train’s interior.

Like Lela in Medicine Hat, a restaurant owner who couldn’t have been more thrilled when the Cup visited her tiny breakfast joint. “Thank you for including us little people,” she said, her voice wavering.

Like Ron in Barrie, an armed forces veteran who knocked an item off his bucket list when he got a photo next to the Grey Cup, his colourful military medals proudly displayed on his chest.

Like Emily in Iqaluit, a middle schooler overjoyed that the Grey Cup would make its way to her hometown. “We don’t have that much,” she said.

That list could go on and on and on.

Every day we met people who live and breathe Canadian football, whose weeks are merely bridges between game days, whose jerseys are staple wardrobe pieces.

Every day we met people who were astounded that the train and the Cup were traveling such an extensive route. “This is my history, this is my country on rails,” was how one fan put it.

And more often than not we met people who have a personal connection with the Cup- their grandfather won it, their uncle hoisted it, they posed next to it as a child. Their stories were so meaningful because they reinforced the fact that this iconic Cup has made its way into hearts and homes all across the country.

What became clear during our travels was that this Cup means something to people because it represents them. Although it bears the names of heroes, they are the people’s heroes, heroes from down the street or the next town over. They are our heroes, just as it is our Cup.

We’ve created memories with this tour. This voyage, though over, has left a legacy.

People often remember exactly where they were during a particular Grey Cup game- on the sidelines, at home, at a military base, at a hospital.

I suspect, judging from the reaction we got when we rolled into a new stop each day, that people will now remember where they were when the Grey Cup arrived, when the train pulled into town.

-Kate

The train made a stop in Hamilton Saturday and lots of fans came out to see it, including Angelo Mosca.

Angelo Mosca couldn’t take 3 steps without being stopped for an autograph or a photo.

Everyone at today’s Fan Celebration, it seemed, wanted a moment with the CFL legend.

I can only recall one other time during our cross country tour when a player garnered such a response- George Reed in Medicine Hat.

Both CFL greats turned grown men into swooning adorers.

I asked Ange what it’s like to get such a response after all these years. Although he didn’t directly answer the question, he did say the train and today’s event left him nostalgic.

“This leaves a lot of memories of what I played for, how many Grey Cups I played in,” he said. “These people will now have a memory too that they can take away from this train.”

Mosca believes the train will help usher in a new generation of CFL fans, a sentiment that’s been repeated throughout the tour.

“I think it was a great idea. It’s very important. Whoever put this together is to be commended,” he said.

A few minutes after our chat, Ange told me he was leaving. He’d had a great morning but it was time to go.

Half an hour later I stepped off the train, only to find him 50 feet from the exit, signing autograph after autograph after autograph.

Was I surprised?

Not at all.

-Kate

The day before the Hamilton Fan Celebration, Ticats OL Peter Dyakowski toured the Grey Cup 100 train.

When the Grey Cup visited McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton there were smiles all around!

The Grey Cup has been hoisted by some very strong individuals in its lifetime. Men employed because of their stature annually raise it triumphantly over their heads.

Today it was lifted by a different group of strong individuals- the patients at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton.

Though they’re small in stature and face great physical challenges, their strength is incredible, almost unbelievable.

When we brought the Cup in, I couldn’t help but notice Tommy, a teenager sitting front row in a wheelchair. His smile gave him away. He was PUMPED to see the Cup.

Turns out Tommy is in the hospital because of an accident sustained while playing football. He’s had a few knee surgeries and requires a few more. It’s not an easy ordeal, but having the Grey Cup around seemed to help a bit.

“Seeing the Grey Cup today was absolutely amazing because ever since I can remember I’ve always watched the Grey Cup game with my Granddad,” he said. “I never really had a Dad so he was a father figure. ...Just to hold it and see it five feet in front of me, it’s outstanding. It’s absolutely amazing.”

Sheyanne was another who caught my eye. An absolutely stunning 10-year old, she was shy at first but quickly opened up. When I asked her if she’d like to hold the microphone, she immediately scooped it up, her true personality beginning to shine through.

“Do you want to be a reporter?” I asked her. “No, a fashion designer,” she said.

After a brief conversation about her shoes (she’s into wedges) and her neighbourhood (it’s getting a new school), I asked if she’d like to hold the Cup. She nodded.

You couldn’t help but get goosebumps, seeing the Grey Cup in Sheyanne’s lap, a giant grin spread across her face.

“I’m gonna make my Dad jealous,” she giggled.

You’re gonna make him proud, I thought to myself.

On the way out, we ran into Tommy’s mother in the hall.

“I can’t thank you enough for bringing the Cup. You made his day,” she said.

What she didn’t know is that Tommy and the (truly) amazing nurses, doctors and child life staff had made ours.

-Kate

The story of Moe Segal, one of a group of Canadian Navy sailors who won the Grey Cup in 1944, the last amateur team to do so.

Kate McKenna looks at how fans are pressing pennies and contributing to the making of the TELUS Fan Cup.

Months after Winnipeg native Dan Huclak is robbed of his Grey Cup ring in broad daylight, the stolen ring mysteriously turns up on his doorstep.

Recently Travis Lulay, Paul McCallum and Geroy Simon of the BC Lions had a chance to check out their very own lockers on the Grey Cup 100 Tour train.

CFL legend George Reed checked out the Grey Cup 100 Tour train. Here's more of what he had to say.

Sonny is one of the amazing staff members on board the train, helping make sure our Grey Cup 100 tour team is well rested, comfortable and most of all, well fed.

Kate McKenna looks at RONA's Home Field Advantage field refurbishment program.

Kate McKenna gives you a sneak preview of the Grey Cup 100 Tour train.