University of Ottawa Gee-Gees honour teammate in first game after his death
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees made an emotional return to the football field on Saturday, one week after the death of teammate Francis Perron.
The Gee-Gees faced the Queen's Gaels at Kingston's Richardson Stadium Saturday afternoon. Queen's beat the Gee-Gees 30-7.
Following a pre-game ceremony to honour Perron, Gee-Gees players Amlicar Polk and Braeden Cruji placed his number 99 jersey on the field for the opening kick-off. The Gee-Gees took a delay of game penalty in memory of their teammate.
Perron, 25, from Sherbrooke, Que. died shortly after the Gee-Gees season opening loss at the University of Toronto last weekend. There is no word on the cause of death.
"Francis was a guy who always gave 100 per cent in everything," said Gee-Gees defensive lineman Michael Pezzuto in a statement on Twitter. "He never took a rep off, never took a day off. He would want us to go out there, ball out, and win this game for him."
During a pre-game ceremony, players for the Gee-Gees and Gaels lined up for a moment of silence in memory of Perron. His framed number 99 jersey was placed at midfield, and officials from Queen's and uOttawa placed a number 99 decal on the helmets of the captains for both the Gee-Gees and Gaels.
"This one hits close to home for everybody," said Gaels coach Steve Snyder.
"It’s affected our football team because we’re part of the Canadian University football community and we respect all our teams and opponents," said Snyder. "We’re going to pay tribute as best we can and respect the game."
Gee-Gees head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said this week the team will miss Perron on the field and in the locker room.
"I did tell the players that it didn’t matter to me if we played another down of football this season, the most important thing was the mental health and wellness of the team," said Bellefeuille.
"I made it clear that any player were uncomfortable and not ready to come back they can rejoin the team at any time."
There were tributes to Perron across the OUA football league on Saturday. All players will have Perron's number 99 decal on their helmets for the remainder of the season.
A GoFundMe page set up by a former teammate said Perron began to feel unwell following the Sept. 18 game in Toronto and died shortly thereafter.
"His death occurred suddenly and far away from his loved ones. This accident has been shocking to his family, friends, as well as to the community," said the GoFundMe Page set up by Raphael Gagne and promoted by the Gee-Gees.
"Francis is mourned by his parents, two sisters, his brother, his girlfriend, hundreds of teammates, many friends and others whose lives he touched."
Money raised by the GoFundMe page will be given to Perron's family to cover expenses, and to create a scholarship in Francis Perron's name at uOttawa.
A special ceremony in memory of Perron will be held before the Panda Game next Saturday at TD Place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.