A player from the Rouge et Or from Laval University was entitled to an honor that no one else before him had received in the history of the program.
A veteran carries the Université Laval flag as the team enters the field before each playoff game. At the Vanier Cup on Saturday in Kingston, this honor went to a veteran who was not in uniform, but whose teammates wanted to demonstrate his important contribution.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“Barring a miracle, this is my last lap and that’s why the veterans of the team gave me this gift,” said defensive back Maxime Saucier-Lafond. This year’s edition is the most united team I have played in since I started playing football.”
An important piece of Mathieu Bertrand’s special teams puzzle since the start of the season, Saucier-Lafond was left out for both games on the national scene because the rosters went from 52 to 48 players.
“I cried for 30 minutes and moved on”
“When I learned of the decision the day before leaving for Regina for the Mitchell Cup, I cried, I was sad and in disagreement,” said the future lawyer. I took an hour to digest the decision. I cried in my corner for 30 minutes and turned the page. I told myself that there was no way I was going to waste my season for two weeks. There was no way I was going to let my friends down.”
“I played 38 games in four years and those two games that I wasn’t dressed weren’t going to define my career, continuing the Limoilou Titans product. My parents told me the same thing. I know what I brought to the team. I worked in the shadows and I don’t need recognition.”
Bertrand had told him the news while telling him that it was a difficult and unfortunate choice. Head coach Glen Constantin and defensive coordinator Marc Fortier also gave him their support.
“The coaches told me they wanted me to make the trip anyway because I was part of the team,” he said. I’m a competitor and for sure I would have liked to play, but it’s the love that the guys give me that makes me the happiest.”
“Team above all”
After his withdrawal from the Mitchell Cup, Saucier-Lafond knew very well that he would not regain his position at the Vanier Cup. “There were no injuries, but in the end it was the team above all,” he said. When the coaches decided to take me to the Vanier Cup, I continued to do what I had been doing since the start of the season.
The master’s degree student in administration thoroughly enjoyed the 22-17 victory against the Laurier Golden Hawks. “It was bigger than just one part,” he said. It’s the culmination of an incredible season with an incredible group. I would have liked to play, but I enjoyed the victory just as much and the champagne tasted good.”
After the victory on Saturday, Constantin praised the leadership of Saucier-Lafond.
After a reconsideration at the end of the 2023 season, Saucier-Lafond decided to play one last season and took on a leadership role upon his return in January.
“I participated in the organization of several activities and team outings,” he emphasized. Unlike 2023 where Kevin (Mital) took up a lot of space, leadership came from everywhere this year. There were four or five guys per position. That’s why our season went so well.”
“Door closed, but not barred”
Saucier-Lafond does not completely rule out a return in 2025, but he will have to postpone his bar and his internship a second time if he does not put his helmet and shoulder pads back on. “I have the feeling that I gave everything this year and it worked,” he said, “but I prefer to take the time to come down from my clouds and think about it with a rested head. In 2023, I did not want to leave with a defeat against Montreal.
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