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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During our home game versus Winnipeg I had the privilege of being involved with the alumni. I always enjoy seeing and chatting with former players, catching up and reminiscing. It was a special day because we were inducting Ed Harrington as the newest addition to the All-Time Argos list.
For those that attended the game, I am curious to know what you thought when Ed became emotional? The irony is that while Ed felt honoured by the fans and organization, the reality is that we were the lucky ones to have one of our football greats and community greats back at mid-field. He was feared by many quarterbacks on the field but off the field, in true Double Blue spirit, he was a mentor to a number of youth in the Toronto area. Ed will tell you that one of his fondest memories from his playing days was a time when boys from the Clifton House, a place he spent a great deal of his personal time while he was in Toronto, gave him a football signed by the guys he mentored; It’s one thing to hear about the many players that have spoken to youth throughout their playing careers, but the true reward is to see the fruits of their labour.
On September 19, I was in the alumni section at the stadium, acquiring autographs for various upcoming auctions, and I noticed a large ring on a gentleman’s finger. As I leaned over for a closer look he politely told me he isn’t an alumni but rather a friend of Ed. This warm stranger went on to explain that while Ed played football he was one of the boys Ed mentored at a group home here in Toronto. His name was Ken Hebbard and he told me just how grateful he was to have had a person like Ed in his life at one of the bleakest times in his life. He said that Ed was a saviour. Now, in addition to being a part of the business world and married with his own family, Ken is a motivational speaker. Sitting with Ken at the game were a number of youth that he now mentors. Ed’s kindness during his playing years has not only changed the lives of people he mentored but now those same youth have grown up and mentoring today’s at risk kids in Toronto – that’s paying it forward.
I’ve heard a number of times how an Argos player has managed to change someone’s life, and now they’re paying it forward. This is quite an amazing phenomenon, especially when you realize how some of our programs have affected the community. At our pre-season game, I was thrilled to have a player from C.W. Jefferys, one of the Level The Playing Field recipients, tell me how he was now at York University trying out for football and attending classes. All I could think is that one day he could end up playing pro football and doing the same for a new team down the road knowing what football did for him.
Stories like Ed’s and the Level the Playing field story are out there but it takes a chance moment to hear about them. I hope someone out there reading my blog can write me at jcolero@argonauts.ca to tell me how an Argos program or player changed them. Thank you and help me ‘Pay it Forward’ – you never know what kind of legacy you might be starting.
Make your passion your Life and No one can take that away.
Jason