Next Game
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RACHEL CLEMONS – Special to Argonauts.ca
TORONTO – Bone crushing tackles, piercing screams, and colourful words filled my ears…this doesn’t sound like the ideal scenario for a three month old baby girl. Granted, football can be rough around the edges, for me it was much more human, compassionate, and personal. Growing up around the double blue was an experience any child would crave. Yes, having a well-known dad comes with its challenges, but the countless memories made behind this team will undoubtedly last me a lifetime.
As many know already, there are not many things I love more than football. This is not from my dad pressuring me to favour his sport, but a personal decision established when I was just a little girl. Growing up I always craved to be around the players and attend all of the club’s events, one of my favourites being the annual corn roast. Attending these occasions with my dad taught me a lesson that I will remember forever: the importance of patience.
I loved making my appearance at every game and despised to depart early when my mom insisted it was time to leave. Even though I was little I knew most of the player’s names and who they were without even trying. I always dreamed of going into the locker room, although my mom would argue the point that a little girl does not need to be seeing all of that so, in most cases, she won.
As a child, I remember every single game. My friend and I would ask each other which Argo we would like to date. We quickly made it a regular question that would be asked every game. Growing up around the team I have had a countless number of brothers. Still, to this day, every time a boy’s name is mentioned they want to know every single detail about him and, even if I tried, there is absolutely no trouble I could get in with what feels like every big man in Toronto watching me.
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew football was one thing I’d love until the day I die and, as I go off to University, the thing that I will miss most is attending every game. The lively car rides down the QEW to the stadium, the countless hours spent after the game waiting for dad to sign autographs, and the car rides back home analyzing the plays that went right and wrong are among the many memories I will treasure forever. My childhood was unlike many and I thank God for blessing me with the opportunities I was given.