One of the major complaints people have about the Canadian Football League is that it's hard to identify with the players, since they're changing teams all the time. But try convincing Bob Skemp and the six years he spent with the Argos about that.
"I remember when I was there, the core of the team never changed," said Skemp, an offensive lineman from 1987 to 1992. "That's why we had such a good team."
The offensive line was particularly solid and familiar, with names like Schultz, Ferrone, Beckstead, Pruenster, Kardash and Schmidt dotting the roster along with Skemp's year after year.
"There were seven or eight of us there from game one," said Skemp, who ended up playing 85 regular season and eight playoff games with the Argos. "They were a great group of guys."
After playing slotback in junior in his hometown of Richmond, B.C., Skemp moved to the offensive line in his final year of junior after blowing out his knee and subsequently gaining a few extra pounds. He was drafted by the B.C. Lions in 1986, and then went to Montreal in the equalization draft of 1987. He didn't last there long, since the team folded on the eve of the season, and he ended up coming to Toronto.
The Argos made the Grey Cup that year, but lost a heartbreaker to the Eskimos. They waited four more years to get back to the final, but it was worth it, according to Skemp.
"Winnipeg really did an awesome job of hosting the Grey Cup," said Skemp. "It was a great time, and we won the game to boot."
Looking back, Skemp particularly felt good about that 36-21 Grey Cup victory for owner John Candy, whom he got to know and admire even more in person than on the big screen.
"He was the most personable type," said Skemp. "McNall and Gretzky were hands-off and I expected him to be the same, but he was completely the opposite. I've got a great picture of John Candy and myself in my last game. I blew it up poster size, and it was a great memory."
Great memories is what Skemp will always have of his playing career, as he currently bides his time between two residences: one in Richmond and the other across the border in nearby Bellingham, Washington. He has been working as a bartender since his playing days ended, serving drinks at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Bellingham and at The Flying Club Sports Bar in Vancouver, located near the airport, appropriately enough. On the personal front, Skemp and his wife Kristi are expecting their first child in October.
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