He got more than he expected.
Hunt told him he was considering bringing the Grey Cup to Newfoundland this summer in their initial conversation a couple of months ago.
Foley, who is president of the new Western Newfoundland Football Association, figured the program would get a boost with the Redblacks owner stopping by with the Grey Cup for a short visit while he was back home.
But, the visit will actually be part of a provincial Grey Cup tour that will see Hunt and star Redblacks receivers Greg Ellingson and Brad Sinopoli bring the Grey Cup to Corner Brook on May 2, Labrador City on May 3 and finish up on May 4 with a stop in St. John’s.
“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Foley said Monday. “I mean to have a figure like Jeff Hunt to put this off is not only great for our association but the sporting community and the community all around.”
Brian Williams and a crew from TSN will be making the trek to the province to cover the tour for the purpose of producing a video of the action in all three communities.
Details are still being worked out, but the plan is to bring the community together for a day with a number of events in an effort to promote football and also raise some money for the league in its infancy stage.
A visit to an elementary school, a football clinic in the afternoon and a Quarterback Club event at a local sports bar later in the evening with Brian Williams hosting are expected to be the highlights for the tour.
Hunt has the distinction of being the only Newfoundlander to have his name engraved on the Grey Cup.
It’s only the second time the Grey Cup has been showcased in this province and the first time on the west coast.
“It should be a fun time. We want to help them promote the game of football,” Hunt said.
Foley asked Hunt to be the honorary chairman for the association and Hunt graciously accepted.
Not a bad guy to have on your side if you’re looking to build a football program to great heights.
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Ottawa Redblacks president Jeff Hunt working on plan to bring Grey Cup to his native land
