Milt minces no words when it comes to Matthews

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/09/2008 (6462 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers practised at Rogers Centre on Thursday in their new navy blue with yellow stripes retro jerseys as part of the CFL’s Retro Week.

Winnipeg will also wear navy helmets — with no logo — while the Argos will also sport throwback jerseys. Expect the retro theme to continue in the next few years as teams honour the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s with other looks and uniforms.

THE DON RETURNS: This will be Don Matthews’ first stint on the sidelines since a win over Winnipeg in October 2006.

He left the game for health reasons — his anxiety attacks had become so bad he was afraid to leave his house — but after two years in Oregon and thanks to the right combination of medicines, he is back and looks 59, not 69.

“You have to realize that the passion of my life, my entire life, I thought I would never get to do again,” Matthews said. “I thought it was over, and I was content with that.

“Now, to be able to feel as good as I do and be able to come back to that passion is something I never dreamed would happen.”

MILT SAYS: Here’s Stegall, the same guy who said earlier in the week that Matthews’ return was a “PR stunt,” on the CFL’s all-time winningest coach returning:

“Does he appreciate me saying that? He probably forgot I said it anyway… he’s 69 or 70 years old. We’ll talk before the game. He’s looked better since he left the game.

“Before, he’d be standing over there and I was like, ‘He’s not about to die, is he?’ I guess he went out to Oregon and worked on his tan a little bit, got some massages from his girlfriend — I won’t say girlfriends — and he’s looking a bit better.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge to beat a Don Matthews-coached team. He knows what he’s doing.”

SAY WHAT?! “I’d be fooling myself if I think I could change anything around in this short period of time. The biggest change we’ll see is maybe the passion with which we play.

“They were explained the facts of life: There’s a new sheriff in town and they have no money in the bank. They’re going to write a cheque on Friday night and I’m going to see if I am going to cash it on Saturday.

“They want to play and they want to be here, so I believe they’re going to go out and give their best effort.” — Matthews on what he expects from the Argos.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca