JASON COLERO
Toronto Argonauts Manager, Community Relations
Jason Colero started as a water boy and now, 25 years later, he’s the heart and soul of Argos’ community outreach programs. The friendly and energetic Manager of Community Relations now educates youth through a myriad of programs he leads throughout the GTA.
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I’m sure, as many Canadians, I had goose bumps watching Joannie Rochette, Canadian Olympic figure skater, perform her short program just days after her mother died suddenly last month. I thought about what it must have been like to love someone so close to you and still have the energy and passion to compete.
Although I don’t compete, I was able to relate to the loss of a loved one in the midst of my job with the Argos – twice. In 1993, I lost my sixteen year old cousin suddenly, and immediately after the funeral I had to fly to Winnipeg for my duties as an equipment assistant. In 1999, when my father passed away, less than a week later I was on the sidelines. In both instances I never thought I’d be able to do it. Despite the class of the Argonauts’ organization which was willing to give me as much time as I needed off, my family urged me to go on.
A few things helped me most to get through it. First, was that in both instances both people shared my passion for the Argonauts and all my great times with them. Next was the family that you have when you are part of a sport. Bob Nicholson shut the office just so that people could come to see me on the difficult day. Whether it was Michael Clemons talking to me to help me, or Danny Webb carrying on with me to get my mind clear, or Mike O’Shea hugging me before I headed to the cemetery, these acts demonstrated family. After the excitement of sports wears off is when you come down to reality, and losing someone close to you does just that.
I also remember in 1998 when our teammate and friend Norm Casola lost his brief battle with Cancer just a few months after winning the 1997 Grey Cup. It was a hard pill to swallow and all of us, including fans, took it very hard. He was only 30. The season beginning so early allowed a lot of us to concentrate on the sport while still taking time to remember our friend.
I want to salute Joannie Rochette for being able to compete for Canada and send her our thoughts. As the Olympic excitement fades, she will need that added family support Canadians gave her throughout the games.
To all those extended families that give others a shoulder to lean on, I would like to thank you for making the difficult times easier to cope with.
Until next time, make your passion your life!
– Jason
Have a question or comment for Jason? You can e-mail him at jcolero@argonauts.ca.