It was July of 2000. I was with TSN, seated in the President’s Lounge at Taylor Field with other media members.
Riders coach Danny Barrett gave Argos coach Michael “Pinball” Clemons a symbolic handshake.
Two African-American coaches were about to meet each other in a CFL contest. It was a milestone not lost on those two, but a milestone that didn’t generate much, if any, ink.
On Tuesday, TSN’s Dave Naylor tweeted that three African-American head coaches had been hired by CFL teams in the last nine days.
I hadn’t given this any thought until I saw Naylor’s post. When asked if there was any significance to this, newly hired BC Lions head coach DeVone Claybrooks said no.
“Diversity Is Strength” is a Canadian Football League motto.
It’s so strong that colour of skin isn’t as big of an issue as it with other leagues and work places.
This is something the CFL and this country should be very proud of.