Moment of silence, Canadian Armed Forces helmet decals are tributes
TORONTO – The Canadian Football League and its teams will pay special tribute this weekend to the Canadian heroes who lost their lives this week in separate attacks on home soil.
Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was murdered in a mall parking lot in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, and Corporal Nathan Frank Cirillo, who lost his life while standing guard at the National War Memorial, near Parliament Hill, will be remembered.
All games will feature a solemn moment of silence and all teams will wear a helmet decal that bears the logo of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“These are heartfelt gestures and yet they feel small when compared to the enormous sacrifice and bravery displayed constantly by the Canadian men and women in uniform who have always put their lives on the line, for our way of life and our freedoms,” said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.
“That these men were in harm’s way here at home deeply offends us all. That they lost their lives so suddenly and so tragically shocks us all. And that their families and friends have been robbed of their company and comfort deeply saddens us all. Our teams want to express respect, appreciation and sympathies, on behalf of us all.”
The Ottawa REDBLACKS also plan an extended ceremony, prior to hosting the Montreal Alouettes Friday night at 6:30 pm ET. That game will be followed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders playing the Stampeders in Calgary at 9:30 pm ET.
Another doubleheader on Saturday features the Toronto Argonauts hosting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 4 pm ETfollowed by the BC Lions visit to Winnipeg to face the Blue Bombers at 7 pm ET.
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