What was she thinking?

Last Saturday was the Toronto Argonauts home opener. An old friend Andrew had a spare ticket and I was more than happy to see their first game of the 2006 Canadian Football League’s season.

So what sticks out most in my mind about the game?

Ricky Williams playing in his first regular season game in the Canadian Football League? No.

The Argos defeating their most hated rival the Hamilton Ti-Cats? Nope.

Paying $3.50 for a warm bottle of water? Almost… but no.

Was it the singing of our National Anthem? YES!

Diane Clemons, wife of head coach Mike “Pinball” Clemons, was going to perform O’Canada. When she started singing I got goose bumps, her voice was angelic.

And then it happened. She changed and added words, started putting runs on the end of every line. What the hell? This isn’t karaoke. If you want to modify Bette Midler’s song: The Rose… go ahead. You want to alter Beatles songs… fine. DO NOT take liberties with my National Anthem. Sing it with passion and pride, but sing it properly.
In typical Canadian fashion, I will forgive you Diane… but just this once.