I Mean No Disrespect

A while ago I said I was going to tell the story of the time I disrespected Milt Stegal. If you have heard it before, sorry for the repeat. For the home games, I help Rod out with his reports for The Score (don’t forget CFL Snap starts this Wednesday) and my part is to go down to the sidelines and try and get some interviews with the players. This is so Rod has clips for his reports that he does later because, he is obviously busy wrapping up the game on the Mighty 620 CKRM. A few years ago, when he asked me if I would help I said, “Sure where do I sign?” Last Labour Day I was doing my thing as usual. I start by trying to grab players on the field right after the game; sometimes I ask the questions and sometimes I just hold the mic in on the scrums. I had got all I could from the field and did what I usually do which is make my way to the opposing team’s dressing room. We usually start there by trying to get the opposing team’s coach and what we can for players. I was running a bit behind the other media guys as, if I remember correctly, I had grabbed a few Riders out on the field too as they tend to be there a bit longer after a win. And due to this, I was not there for the original scrum with Milt. I think I had spoken with Tom Canada or Kevin Glen first and after that I made my way over to Mr. Stegal. Win or lose, Milt is always a Bomber you try and get a comment from. My first question was, “Are you 100 % healthy?” For those that don’t remember, Milt had just come back from some time on the injury list. Well, Milt just SNAPPED! These will not be direct quotes as it was a while ago, but first thing he said was, “Why are you disrespecting me”. Actually before the interview even started, he gave Trevor (Cameraman) and me grief because we had Rider gear on. Actually, I was not in Rider gear as I had my Grey Cup 03 jersey on. So, we explained that Trevor worked camera for the Max tron as well and that mine was actually Grey Cup gear - green and white yes but I digress. After the disrespect comment I got: “You never played football.” and “You have never been on the field” and “If I’m out there, I’m healthy.” Etc., and this actually went on for a few minutes. I wish T had kept the camera rolling, as Milt laid into me pretty good. At some point, I got the disrespect comment again and I said, “ Actually I do have a lot of respect for you.” and I’m sure a few other things including “Sorry” (though for what, I wasn’t sure). I think Milt had a little more for me after that even, and I remember it ended with me saying, “Milt, I apologize if I offended you.” Then the last thing he said was, “It’s ok I guess you’re just doing your job.” I really felt my question regarding his health was a legitimate one due to the fact he just came back from injury, but I guess not. It did not help either that another reporter in the original scrum had asked him the same question I guess. So I am off the Stegal Christmas card list I guess. Oh well : -) It is a good story and the way I look at it is that if Milt’s pissed at me, that must mean the Bombers lost so it’s all good, Hopefully Milt will be in a foul mood again come this post game Labour Day. I am still hesitant to eat one of those chocolate Turtles to this day fearing it will start yelling at me (OK, he did not really yell, but he was a bit ticked off.)

Great player wrong team... Tough not to respect him.




I could not find a clip of Milt getting mad at me on Youtube.

To my fellow race fans, I think we need to start a petition to TNT or, I guess more so, against TNT covering NASCAR races. I swear, not a word of a lie, they must have had 27 commercial breaks during the last 100 laps of the race yesterday. (Editor’s note: Yes, yes, they did and I heard a litany of blue air-type remarks each time). Maybe not that many, but I know for sure it was 5 in the last 40 laps GRRRR. Kyle Petty and the pit announcers are the only saving grace on that broadcast crew (note to self: Joe you will not be getting an announcing gig at TNT anytime soon)

Today’s Lyrics

“Hey, man you disrespecting me
take him out”

R E S P E C T find out what it means to me : -)