Dinner with Eric Tillman

My Dinner With ET

I had the pleasure last night after the Belmont Tire Rider Coaches Show on 620 CKRM to break bread with Eric Tillman. Circumstances being what they were, all my radio peers had to leave so I had ET to myself for 30-45 minutes during supper at The Press Box. It was a real treat as I don’t often get a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with the powers that be as my daytime job and my duties don’t really allow for a lot of time other then on game day. We shared a number of stories both football and non-football related. I did find out Eric is not a racing fan, but I believe he has an appreciation for the sport but is just not a fan. In fact he told me back in the day when he was younger he did go to a race and got such a bad sunburn it left him turned off (for lack of a better word). He has many friends, however, at home that are race fans. There are many things that I took away from my time with Eric, the least of which is how much he and Kent, along with the others, care about this team and winning. I am not blowing sunshine up ET’s butt here, nor am I blowing smoke up yours, if you get a chance to talk to him you will instantly know he cares and he takes this all very seriously. I also took away the fact that he and his family are enjoying themselves here. There have some challenges, sure, but I believe Eric has, as Tom Cochrane put it so very well, “ No Regrets”. I suggest again if you get a chance to speak with Eric to do so. Now he does not need a line-up outside his office a mile long nor does he need everyone and anyone monopolizing all of his time, but he is very personable and approachable. Much like he and Kent and the others look for a combination of a good player and a good person, I think we have found a great football mind and a great person. ET if you are reading this, I thank you so much for taking the time last night and look forward to hopefully another time we can do it again. People, THEY CARE!

One story/bit of information I will share from our chat is I suggest you watch the players during the national anthem. They have been told that the Canadian guys should be proud of the country you come from, and American guys be thankful for the country that has taken you in as a football player (and a part time and, in some cases, full time citizen.) I am not sure if this is a direct quote or not but ET said last year during the national anthem the boys were lined up “more crooked then an Alabama kid’s teeth”. Now you should see a straight line and a team singing for the country they play for. I wonder if Scott sings well? And if Jocelyn sings the anthem in French? One of the small but cool things the new powers that be have brought to this team and us the fans.

The one other thing I wanted to say today is that if there are people out there (and I know there are) that think losing Eddie Davis is not a huge deal, you really need to give the old noodle a shake. Sure they can replace his body with a player and that player can fill his role in regards to the physical play, but at this point no one has the mental ability of ED when it comes to this defence. Whoever fills in will do their best, but it will not be the same without #29 out there. And Yo Murphy was/is also a huge loss too; again some out there are thinking I'm off my nut saying that and that’s fine - think what you may - but it is. The great thing is that we should have both Eddie and Yo back for the stretch run and the playoffs, and that is awesome. And no, as one poster put, it I do not have Eddie Davis Eyes! Many of you know I am a huge ED fan but what I have said above is not admiration for one of my favourites its just the damn truth!

As this post was rolling around in my head I also thought to myself who are the 5 people I would most like to sit down and have a meal and a chat with. Although there really are many, here is the top five I came up with, in no particular order.

1- Robin Williams
2- Robert Deniro
3- Drew Barrymore (yes my editor knows : -) )
4- David Letterman
5- Gene Simmons

Not an earth shattering list, but five people I think would be cool to break bread with. Who are yours?

The results from the most recent poll:

Does Andy Fantuz Need To Sit For A Game?
No 38% (10 votes)
Yes 62% (16 votes)
Total voters for this poll: 26
New one is up now on the right hand side!

Today’s Lyrics

“I asked her why she couldn't make up her mind
She said "You don't understand I'd love to go,
but there's something you should know"
She showed me her wedding band”

Most of what Jo wrote about being a football wife is true… Most! Oh ya, the Belmont Tire Rider Coaches Show on 620 CKRM was awesome last night, if you missed it look for the archived version soon.