Hi Easily Amused the reference was into the 1969 East final with Ottawa and Russ Jackson,
Was it Cahill who advised the Argos kicker to "just keep walking until your hat floats" if the kick failed, when preparing to kick a game winning field goal? I recall the anecdote from the 70s, but I can't find evidence of that quote. I am sure it was in relation to a game at Exhibition Stadium.
The Argos had a large lead in the total points scored over Ottawa. Back then teams would play 2 games against the same team in the East final to get to the Grey Cup.
Toronto had a sizeable lead in points and the team and coach Cahill were confident they would win easily!
Here is the quote; By November 1969, the Argos were already deep into a decades-long Grey Cup drought. Their fortunes seemed to be turning, though, after they slipped past Hamilton in the East Division semifinal, and beat Ottawa in the first game of a two-game division final.Cahill appeared at a luncheon before the second game. There were reportedly 700 people in the room as he said the Argos were “physically better than any team in Canada,” and that “it will take an act of God to beat us Saturday.”
A reporter asked Leo, would Russ Jackson have to walk on the Rideau Canal to win then? Thus the Walking on Water reference.
Ottawa beat Toronto in a memorable come back and rumour has it Jackson walked on water after the game!
Here is the article:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/244395/2018/02/16/remembering-leo-cahill-the-legendary-argonauts-coach-with-the-legendary-quotes/
Last edited by Muffaraw Joe (September 7, 2024 8:16 pm)
