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38 Sports Oakville Beaver www.aplushomes.ca from 2 .4% ·Full MLS ·Full Service Call ADAM CAMPBELL Broker 905-844-4444 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 Damon's big day Allen recognized by Argonauts, CFL after breaking pro football passing yardage record By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF TORONTO -- It may have been the Toronto Argonauts' ugliest win of the season, but Saturday also marked one of the greatest honours ever bestowed on Damon Allen in his 22year Canadian Football League career. Damon Allen Day featured a 20minute pre-game ceremony to recognize the 43-year-old Oakville resident as professional football's all-time passing leader, a title he earned Sept. 4 in Hamilton after breaking Warren Moon's 70,553-yard benchmark. "It was beautiful, all of the things that went on. I'm quite thankful," a smiling Allen said after his Argos used a late field goal to edge the last-placed Hamilton Tiger-Cats 11-9. "It was a really good day." Allen's entire family came out to the Rogers Centre on the ninth day of the ninth month to honour number nine, including his Pro Football Hall of Fame older brother, Marcus. Moon also attended the game to recognize Allen, a long-time friend of his. "The reason I'm here today is not because he broke my record, but because of the respect I have for Damon as a person," Moon said, before presenting Allen with a plaque highlighting his record-breaking game Labour Day that pushed him to 70,596 yards. "You guys should be proud to have an athlete of his talent in your city." The 26,212 fans in the Rogers Centre recognized that, giving Allen several standing ovations throughout the ceremony. Plenty of people to thank After receiving a new Ford Explorer on behalf of the CFL and watching a highlight reel of his career, Allen took the time to address everyone before the kickoff. "To the Canadian Football League that gave me the opportunity to come to Canada and play the game that I love, I want to say thank you," he said. "I want to thank the fans of Toronto, the citizens of Toronto, for putting a smile on my face the last four years." Allen also thanked teammates, the coaching staff, his family and his football hero, Warren Moon. "I want to thank Warren Moon for giving me the inspiration," he said. "If I didn't watch you play, I probably wouldn't be in the CFL." PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TORONTO ARGONAUTS FOOTBALL CLUB RECORD-BREAKER: Damon Allen speaks to the crowd during a pre-game ceremony Saturday at the Rogers Centre, when he was recognized for recently becoming professional football's all-time leader in career passing yards. See Banner page 40 COME OUT TO PINE GLEN FIELD THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 16 TH & 17 TH AND CHEER ON OUR BOYS / GIRLS U9 to U15/16 AS THEY COMPETE IN THE FINAL COMPETITION OF THE OUTDOOR SEASON LEAGUE CUP FINALS!! (Complete Schedules available on-line) BECOME A VOLUNTEER WITH THE OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB!! CONTACT CATHY @ Y cwatt@oakville-soccer.on.ca DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR U8/U9 (1998 / 1999) & U10 (1997) AVAILABLE FROM OCTOBER -APRIL CHECK WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ALONG WITH TRY-OUT INFORMATION GOAL KEEPER SESSIONS AVAILABLE OCTOBER-APRIL HOUSE LEAGUE / ALL STAR / SELECT / REP CHECK WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS INDOOR SOCCER SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE CONTACT JOY at jneefs@oakville-soccer.on.ca 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, ON L6H 3K4 Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677 Thanks to our Key Sponsors The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club