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Jonathon Crompton leads Alouettes to win while mourning, is growing his hair for Locks of Love
Playing professional football is difficult enough under normal circumstances, but trying to avoid hits and complete passes while mourning the loss of a friend? That's even tougher, but it's what Montreal Alouettes' quarterback Jonathon Crompton did Sunday against Hamilton. Crompton, a former NCAA star at the University of Tennessee, and the Alouettes fell behind 21-7 after two quarters, but they pulled their offence together after the break and won 38-31. The game was at the same time as the funeral back in Tennessee of his former fiancée, who he described as his best friend. In an interview with TSN Saturday, shortly after he learned of her death from ovarian cancer Friday, Crompton said he was battling tough emotions:
Crompton mentions in that piece that his former fiancée's battle with cancer inspired him to grow out his hair, which he plans to donate to Locks of Love to make wigs for financially disadvantaged children in the U.S. and Canada who are suffering long-term medical hair loss. He told reporters after the game that playing Sunday was tough for him, and that he received incredible support from his teammates:
"This was not the best week for myself personally," said the Als quarterback, who had been growing his hair for the Locks for Love charity. "That's the reason this is a team game. The guys came out and said, 'We got you. Go out there and be yourself. Emotionally, just let it out.' They had my back."
Crompton's father flew to Montreal to cheer him on Sunday, and Crompton planned to fly to Tennessee to be with his former fiancée's family after the game. He told TSN's Matthew Scianitti after the game that the support he received from his family and teammates was crucial to his success Sunday:
"I'm thrilled to come out here with my teammates; they had my back tonight," Crompton said. "I didn't play great in the first half and I know that, but having them come up to me and tell me "Hey man, we got you. Just go do you, play you. That's encouraging."
Montreal head coach Tom Higgins told reporters after the game he felt Crompton would persevere despite his loss:
"A lot of adversity was thrown young Jonathan Crompton's way, and he dealt with it," said Als coach Tom Higgins. "Sometimes, what people don't know is that (athletes) have lives, and other things happen within their life, and it was a tragic thing that he had to deal with.
"We truly feel that he always has the temperament to turn it around, no matter how bad he's playing. That's a sign of a good quarterback, one that has a short memory."
Playing through loss is a tough thing, and it's something that should be left up to each player. Asking someone to go do their job while battling grief is problematic, but for some, like Crompton and Stampeders' receiver Joe West (who played a game earlier this year just a day after learning of his brother's death), the team environment can be a supportive and encouraging one. Crompton did a great job Sunday, and it's awesome to see his teammates support him this way through a trying time. His plan to grow his hair for Locks of Love is an awesome idea too, and one that might catch on with other CFL players and fans. For now, hats off to Crompton for delivering a remarkable showing in the midst of grief.
