Hayley Chown, a resident of Toronto and the daughter of two-time Grey Cup champion Gary Chown, shares her early memories of her father’s football legacy. She recalls playing with his Montreal Alouettes Grey Cup ring as a child and the neighborhood kids getting the team logo stamped on their hands by her dad. Despite her initial aversion to football, Hayley’s father supported her interests in horse riding, theater, and history.
In 2024, as her father’s health declined, Hayley decided to connect with him through his passion for football. Despite her lack of interest in the sport itself, she engaged with its history to bond with him. Watching old football footage with her dad, she saw him in action during the 1977 Grey Cup game, which was a poignant moment for both of them.
As she delved deeper into her father’s football past, Hayley learned about the toll the sport had taken on him. Her father attributed 95% of his health issues to his football career, including repeated concussions. He had participated in studies on the long-term effects of concussions in athletes and eventually donated his brain for research after his passing.
Reflecting on the impact of football-related injuries, Hayley realized the significance of her father’s sacrifice for the game. Despite the negative consequences, she acknowledges the passion and joy football brought to her father’s life. She grapples with conflicting emotions towards the sport that both defined her father and caused him harm.
In the face of the devastating effects of football on her father, Hayley emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the risks associated with the sport, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). She highlights efforts by the CFL to mitigate concussion effects but underscores the irreplaceable value of protecting one’s brain.
Hayley’s poignant story encapsulates the complex legacy of football in her family and the bittersweet memories she holds of her father’s involvement in the sport. She cherishes her father’s Grey Cup ring as a symbol of his love and sacrifice, recognizing it as a lasting testament to his enduring passion for football.
