The Little Engine that could

Prelude - How does an athlete garner the respect of sports fans? He could break a record. But ultimately, its about leading his team to victory. This weekend capped a story that is simply, heart warming: the rise of Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Kerry Joseph. The heart of his team, this is a guy who kept pursuing his dream, even if it meant playing touch-football with his buddies just a couple of years ago. Now he's the champ. Sport can offer us role models. Well, here is one.

Sport - Football

Event - Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 to win the 95th Grey Cup championship. Kerry Joseph, quarterback for Saskatchewan is named MVP of the league for 2007.

Issue
In previous blogs we've explored how the Roughriders are representative of the little engine that could. This weekend they capped off a great season by winning the championship game. Their quarterback represents, very much, the athlete that perserveres to finally win the big prize.

Point to say - "So, Saskatchewan pulled it off. Regina will be going wild today."

Follow up point - "Their quaterback is quite the player."

Backgrounder
Kerry Joseph's story has him bouncing around the NFL and it's affiliate NFL Europe for the first part of his career. Without having established himself with a team, he removed himself from the game and, in 2002, instead competed in a flag football league in his home state of Louisiana.

The story wasn't over though. He was signed by the CFL franchise in Ottawa in 2003. He immediately started to establish himself as premier player. When this team folded, Saskatchewan claimed him. With this team, his place as a star athlete took hold. In fact, this year, just before the Grey Cup on Sunday he was voted the league's 2007 MVP.

His never say quit attitude roled into Saskatchewan, and can be said to have fuelled this team over the last two seasons. This is their first championship in 18 years, and but their third championship in 41 years. This is a franchise that in any other city would have folded. But fan loyalty entrenched even further by an effort like Joseph's, have produced something truely, all fans can respect.

Links
Kerry Joseph's web site.
Story on the Roughrider win.