The Ottawa Journal from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Page 15

1 Ottawa Journal Monday, November 29, 1 976- 1 5 Cup: A tribute to honesty Grey 1 By Clem Kealey Journal Sports Staff TORONTO Ottawa Rough Riders won the Grey Cup here yesterday afternoon before a record 53,389 in CNE Stadium. But this was much more than a national title. Much more than a championship win. The horn-tooters were out on city streets blaring last night and all the back-slap-pers will be at the Civic Centre tonight for a testimonial dinner. Finally, in the last chapter of their bizzare season, Riders have turned spooks into spokes.

Everyone's clamouring to board the bandwagon today but few really trusted this team, and, at times, the biuntness bordered on verbal brutality. But Ottawa players believed in themselves. And that's what got them the last-second title, 23-20, over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It was storybook finish to an irregu- lar, pulsating season. Through all the peculiar transactions one constant remained.

The players had total unanimity. They believed in themselves. No category of the Ottawa team endured more scalding criticism than their defensive alignment. And, disregarding Tony Gabriel.s miracle touchdown reception with only 20 seconds remaining, it was the defence which kept Ottawa in contention throughout the entire afternoon. There were the customary banal dressing room statements after such monumental achievements: Really this was a victory for honesty.

Head coach George Brancato has taken questions as they're asked and answered them as truthfully as he can. Visiting media people consider him the most popular of CFL coaches and his main assets are his dedication and his honesty. A small bonus is his dry wit. And when he needed it most, Brancato got an honest output from his entire roster. Brancato earned the ire of his players, likely his own coaqhing staff Continued on Page 16 Tom Clements to Tony Gabriel six points and a Grey Cup.

Gabriel beat Ted Provost (10) and waits here for Clements' perfectly thrown pass to settle in. Ray Odums, another Saskatchewan deep back did not figure in the play, although he made late effort. The game winning connection earned Gabriel the top Canadain award and sealed the best offensive player award for Clements. $mw UHfmJm wMfctttofr- (Andre lark Journal CP) Tonv Gabriel's game- -winning touchdown was fol- Ottawa bench, led by an ecstatic head coach, number three quarterback Bill Robinson (3) were brlel scoring strike came with lust 20 seconds loweq spin second later by a char ge off the cjeot ye Newcomer Bub Myrlck (24) qnd not far behind Brancato. The Clements to Ga- remaining to give Rough Riders the Grey Cup.