by Allan Maki
The Toronto Globe and Mail
Published September 30, 2008 at 12:09 AM EDT
When Richie Hall returned to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ office yesterday, there was more on his mind than the team’s most recent loss, a humbling 37-12 setback against the Montreal Alouettes.
“I’m going to see Ron this evening,” Hall said of his friend and fellow coach Ron Estay. “He’s in the hospital. … It’s cancerous; very aggressive. He’s going to start chemotherapy soon. Keep him in your prayers.”
This has been a trying season for the ‘Riders, one that has tested their resolve and taken a toll emotionally. After going 6-0 to start the year as Grey Cup defending champion, Saskatchewan’s favourite team has taken its hits: 19 players have been injured while a string of losses (five in the past seven games) has dropped the ‘Riders from first place in the CFL West Division to third.
But those are football issues. The health of Estay, the team’s defensive line coach and a CFL Hall of Famer, is far more meaningful. As Hall explained: “To me, there’s football and there’s life, and life is always more important.”
Estay, 59, underwent a series of operations this year, one to remove his gall bladder and another to remove a cancer-ridden prostate. He also had knee surgery and a hernia operation.
He complained of stomach pains during the ‘Riders’ training camp in June and eventually left the team to be hospitalized. He returned only to leave again in mid-August when the Leader-Post in Regina reported he underwent surgery for an intestinal issue.
On Sept. 5, Estay made a surprise visit to the ‘Riders’ dressing room to say hello to the players.
“I told him thanks for coming and thanks for going home,” Saskatchewan head coach Ken Miller told reporters, noting how the players missed Estay. “The most important thing that he can do for us is to get 100 percent healthy.”
Estay is in his eighth season with the ‘Riders but is best known as the hard-charging defensive tackle who helped the Edmonton Eskimos win six Grey Cups from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s.
With Estay out of action, the ‘Riders have had to rely on defensive assistant Gary Etcheverry to do more in terms of preparation and coaching. Etcheverry joined the CFL in 1997 and was the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts in 1999.
Hall, the ‘Riders’ defensive co-ordinator who has worked alongside Estay for eight years, said his Louisiana-born friend has been receiving plenty of support from family and friends and many within the ‘Riders’ organization.
“He’s focused on his wife, family and the team. I tell him, ?You take care of yourself,’” Hall said.
Football-wise, the ‘Riders are about to face a keynote home-and-home series against the surging Calgary Stampeders. The two teams split their first two games this season, although the Stampeders have since moved into top spot in the West behind the sparkling play of quarterback Henry Burris.
Saskatchewan has been missing several injured veterans, including receivers Matt Dominguez and Andy Fantuz, offensive lineman Jeremy O’Day, running back Wes Cates and defensive end John Chick.
Cates did not play in Sunday’s loss in Montreal but it’s possible he could be ready for Friday’s game against the Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium. Another possible returnee is slotback D.J. Flick, who has been practising with the team after breaking his ankle in July. The concern, as always, is rushing a player onto the field before he’s physically ready.
“You have to be careful with guys who are in that grey area of possibly coming back. You have to know what they rely on,” Hall said. “A receiver might play with a bad shoulder but if you don’t have your legs, you’re really on a short leash.”“I’m not an excuse person,” Hall added. “We made plays to win eight games and we didn’t make enough in the five games we lost. Even if everyone was healthy, there are no guarantees we would have won those five games.”
That’s the way it is in football, Hall said. As for life, he is thinking of his friend and praying for the best.