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Stettler’s Theren Churchill wins first Grey Cup championship

He accomplished the feat in his second year
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Stettler’s Theren Churchill lifts the Grey Cup over his head after winning the trophy on Sunday with the Toronto Argonauts. (Photo by Theren Churchill/ Twitter)

Stettler’s Theren Churchill is still on cloud nine since he became a Grey Cup champion.

That’s not a title that many football players can put on their resumes, even those who have accumulated years on the gridiron of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

He is certainly not taking that for granted after he won his first Grey Cup of his career in just his second year in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday.

“It was awesome and it was pretty surreal. I know a few of us, even after the fact, couldn’t believe it. It’s a lot of guys’ first Grey Cup. I think I’m pretty lucky being on the team that I am surrounded by the guys that we have and winning the Grey Cup in my second year,” he said.

“I have teammates that have been playing in this league for eight to 10 years and this is their first as well. It was just an amazing accomplishment and a great way to cap the year off.”

To win Canadian football’s ultimate prize, there are a lot of things that need to break the right way– not only in the big game but throughout the season. Churchill reiterated that the CFL is a challenging league to win in even in the regular season, let alone the Grey Cup.

“I know those guys that have been waiting this out for years I’m proud of them, happy for them, and it was well worth it for them,” he said.

Despite Churchill not playing a down during the game, the Argos beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23 after an exciting fourth quarter that had plenty of drama including two blocked field goals.

“It was a whirlwind of emotions, not just when we won but especially in that fourth quarter. A lot of people really didn’t know what way the game was going to swing. We had a fourth-quarter comeback we were down by eight or nine points and we found a way to get it done,” he explained.

Since the win, Churchill and the Argonauts have had a few nights out with the holy grail of Canadian football and have enjoyed each other’s company with the cup on hand.

On Wednesday night, the Argonauts took the Grey Cup to Scotiabank Arena to take in an NBA Atlantic Division matchup between the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets. Thursday, they will enjoy one last day together as a team in their championship parade down the streets of Toronto.

“That’s one big thing our coaches always say is the team changes every year. This will be our last week and last day tomorrow to all be together one last time, especially as champions. The parade will definitely be the most memorable,” he said.

It has yet to be determined, but if he gets a day with the cup, Churchill said he will bring it back home to Stettler to share it with the community.

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Stettler native and Toronto Argonauts lineman Theren Churchill, right, poses for a photo with the Grey Cup alongside quarterback Chad Kelly. (Photo by Theren Churchill/ Twitter)


Ian Gustafson

About the Author: Ian Gustafson

Ian began his journalism career as a reporter in Prince Albert, Sask. for the last three years, and was born and raised in Saskatchewan.
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