VANCOUVER – The CFL Alumni Association named Lui Passaglia its Man of the Year at a luncheon in Vancouver Friday.
The honour comes months after the CFL’s all-time points leader revealed that he was diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer.
During his speech, Passaglia recalled the first time he heard that he had cancer.
“When you first hear it, it’s a devastating word, but it’s not a devastating word any more,” he said. “With friends behind you, family behind you, and the belief that you can beat it, it makes it a whole lot easier.”
Passaglia also urged people to have themselves screened for colon cancer, saying that it may not be pleasant, but it can be a life-saver.
“This is one disease where if you catch it early on, there’s something like a 90 per cent success rate,” he told Global News.
Several former Lions were on hand including Damon Allen, Nick Hebeler, Rick Klassen, Tommy Europe, Geroy Simon, Daved Benefield, and John Henry White, among others. Passaglia was thrilled to see all of them.
“With my situation this year, there were some sad days, but right now I’m feeling good,” he said. “Days like today make you feel better.
“When you go through cancer, you look forward to dates on the calendar. I circled the Grey Cup weekend on my calendar because I knew I was going to meet old friends and have a good time,” he said. “That’s what life is all about.”
After the luncheon, former teammate Damon Allen reminisced about the Lions’ 2000 Grey Cup win, specifically a photo of the two of them kissing the Grey Cup after Passaglia won the game on a last-second field goal.
“I still look at that picture today,” said Allen. “Knowing now what he’s going through, it’s a great memory to have. Those times are very special. I was glad I had the opportunity to play with him for seven years.
“When you needed Lui to come through at the right time, he did.”
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