The Edmonton Journal has done a heart wrenching piece on the life and times of Bill Stevenson, the once long time lineman for the Green and Gold. A hard nosed player who was part of many of the Glory Days of the Eskimos and a guy who collected his share of Grey Cup rings.
But once the cheering faded and the skills were gone, Stevenson's life spun wildly out of control lost in drink and lost opportunities.
It's a hard article to read, it seems every aspect of his life is detailed but all of it is required to get a better understanding of the demons that chased him in his days in and out of football.
It's an informative piece and should be passed around all eight of the CFL's dressing rooms and alumni groups, a barometer for those to watch over the players that blazed the trail for today's CFL but may have fallen into troubled times and need a helping hand.
For the new Commissioner it may make for a valuable bit of research and maybe a cause to promote to the eight owners of the CFL's franchises, the league is fortunate that its size and importance to Canadians offers it a chance to take care of the players of the past who made their mark and may now be forgotten.
For the fans, it offers up a look at the other side of the game that few talk about, the inability to cope after all that adulation, the dark hole that some fall into some with tragic results. It helps to put the game into perspective for all.
It's well worth the read, as disturbing as it is. It's quite a project that the Journal took upon itself, you can view the full article from this link.
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