21°c A few clouds
25°c Chance of thundershowers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Stampeders' star Cornish pays tribute to lesbian mother
Jon Cornish (CP)
Related Items
-
Columns
TORONTO -- Football took a backseat briefly Thursday as Calgary running back Jon Cornish talked about his mother.
It was an eloquent story, told with great pride by the Stamps star.
"She's quite a remarkable woman," Cornish said of mother Margaret and her love story.
A mother of five, Margaret is now married to a woman.
"People are always surprised when I tell them about my mom's situation but for me it's something I'm proud of," said Cornish, the CFL's leading rusher. "She'd been through a lot and she finally found someone that she loved and for me there's nothing more positive in the world."
Cornish says he is "pretty outspoken" when it comes to gay slurs.
"I don't like certain slurs being used and any time I hear them, I speak up," he told reporters when asked about the issue. "I think for the most part my team's pretty respectful.
"We have a lot of guys, a lot of smart people, on this team and you don't really hear too many homophobic things going on at all so it's really not something that comes up. But you know for me, I would like people to be more accepting."
After raising her kids on a music teacher's salary in New Westminster, B.C. -- "She ensured we all had great educations," said Cornish -- Margaret returned to school and took her master's in ethics. She then became an Anglican priest.
"That's what she wanted to achieve and for me that's been a motivation my entire life," said Cornish.
Cornish recalled coming home for Christmas break from the University of Kansas.
"She was super-excited, so I was like 'Did you meet somebody or something?' And she said 'Yeah.' And then I said 'So what's he like?' And she said 'It's a she.'
"And for me, it took maybe 15 seconds to process and then it was 'OK, that's pretty cool.' And that was that."
Cornish said people are often surprised on hearing about his mother and her partner, but are usually accepting "especially after they meet them."
Cornish's mother has returned from a holiday in Israel to see Sunday's championship game against the Toronto Argonauts.
His father died while he was in college.
"I never knew him but I am thankful, he gave me some good genetic code," he said, drawing laughs.
Earlier, a reporter for a local gay and lesbian publication asked Stamps coach John Hufnagel if his team would be receptive to an openly gay player.
"Can he throw?" asked Hufnagel, drawing laughs. "Can he catch? Is he fast? It's a free country."
Pressed on the issue of homophobia in sport, he said: "I've never thought about it, truthfully."
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 23, 2012 C3
More Football
- Back to Top
- Return to Football
More Football
(1 of 3 articles for this month)
Stop us, Buck fans, if you've heard this before
1:00 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Football
- Burke discontinues walk-throughs ahead of Ticats game
- Hef will be Huf's SAM
- Blue hope the future is now
- Garrett's fire still burning
- Burke keeps mum on which starting jobs still to be won
- Forewarned is forearmed, Blue fans
- QB Goltz plays game of thrones
- Burke reaches out to his veterans
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- Stop us, Buck fans, if you've heard this before
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- New era begins with errors
- Etienne grabs a clue
- QB Hall discovers three less than four
- Bombers leaving veterans at home for game against Ticats
- Bombers receive no love from oddsmakers
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Burke cracks down after tempers flare at Bomber practice
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- Bombers lose 24-6 to Argos in Investors Group Field debut
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- No Kumbaya at this camp
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- CFL game an eye-opener
- Hef will be Huf's SAM
- Burke discontinues walk-throughs ahead of Ticats game
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- New era begins with errors
- Burke picks up pieces of pre-season pummeling
- Critical numbers
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Big Blue 10-1 dogs to win Grey Cup
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- CFL game an eye-opener
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- The Burke identity
- Freight train at fullback
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- Bomber greats to adorn gates
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Hall of Fame DE Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome, who coined term 'sack,' dead at 74
- Not enough gates to honour Blue greats
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- New era begins with errors
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.