Unquestionably one of the best players in the history of the CFL, who became quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes, Anthony Calvillo compiled all his prowess in his recent biography entitled The passer.
Family stories are also a big part of this book, whether it’s the domestic violence that his father did to his mother, his brother David who was in prison or the strong ties that unite him and his sisters.
“I wanted to share my personal experiences. I needed to share what I experienced in my childhood, with domestic violence between my mother and my father. I want to make sure my wife and my daughters don’t go through the same thing,” Calvillo told the show. the AntechamberMonday, in an interview entirely in French where he also expressed his ambitions to become head coach of the Als.
Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia took over from Khari Jones at the helm of the team on an interim basis last season, but the organization will have to find a new one for 2023 and Calvillo wants to submit his candidacy.
“I would like an interview for the position, but if that doesn’t work out, there’s no problem. I just want to work for the Alouettes, either as head coach or quarterbacks coach. I want to give everything to help the team next year,” said Calvillo.
“I want to share my vision with the owners, Maciocia and the others. »
This is what seems the logical next step for anyone who wants to give back to the community that welcomed them and where they flourished. So much ground covered after family difficulties which could have deviated its trajectory.
“In 2011, TSN made a documentary called The Kid from La Puente. This is where the information came out about our family. It was therapeutic to talk about our experiences. »
Sport has helped him a lot through hardships, and not just football.
“I’ve won a lot of awards in basketball, but few in football. When I was recruited at university, however, it was football. I think I was too small for basketball…”
He says Calvillo was content to do the bare minimum in his CFL debut in Las Vegas, where he played just one season before moving to Hamilton for the next three. He did his own thing and didn’t always listen to authority. He eventually had to choose between Saskatchewan and Montreal to pursue his career, and that’s where his career took off.
“I had an attitude problem. I thought I knew everything, but it didn’t work, admitted Calvillo. I came to Montreal to learn from another quarterback, Tracy Ham, and it was a good choice. I wanted to join a winning team, and in 1998 the team won a lot of games. »
There was some friction with prolific running back Mike Pringle early on, but Pringle eventually served as a good role model for him.
“He was very intimidating to me. I’ve never seen anyone work so hard every game in practice. He was super competitive. »
Calvillo also reflected on his Gray Cup conquests in his biography, but also touched on his wife Alexia’s battle with cancer, as well as his own. Difficult times when he had to put football aside.
“With the battles against cancer, many Quebecers and Canadians have sent us letters of encouragement. They helped us a lot. My wife and I wanted to share our story so we could help others. »