A lot can happen in 48 hours. Just ask UBC quarterback and Vanier Cup champion
Michael O'Connor. He is currently on a 48 hour tour of his hometown of Ottawa with the Vanier Cup and the schedule is moving as fast as an all out blitz.
"I've been away from home since I was fifteen," says O'Connor as we weave through traffic on the way from downtown Ottawa to Orleans, a suburb about twenty minutes away where Michael grew up and learnt to play football. "When I'm away from home it feels like a business trip. It's always great to come back. You only ever have one home."
And you most likely will only get one chance to meet the sitting Prime Minister of Canada, which is what O'Connor got to do on this trip.
A group of UBC's staff and O'Connor, carrying the Vanier Cup are quickly ushered into the Prime Minister's office. Canadian University football's greatest prize is firmly plunked on top of the PM"s desk. Amist a flurry of aides and security, Justin Trudeau arrives.
He quickly takes pictures, poses and chats with his audience. O'Connor and Trudeau talk football.
"I better not," says Trudeau when asked if he would wear O'Connor's Vanier Cup ring. "I have friends in Montreal who wouldn't be too happy with me."
Trudeau is of course a UBC graduate, but also studied at the University of Montreal, who UBC beat dramatically in last years thrilling Vanier Cup game.
"I studied at both schools," explains the Prime Minister. "But I actually got a degree from UBC."
"I'm headed to BC Lions camp in a couple weeks," O'Connor says when asked what's next on his football schedule.
"My uncle played for the Lions," replied the Prime Minister. "Tom Walker played for them."
The Prime Minister is referring to defensive tackle Tom Walker, who donned BC Lions colours in the early sixities.
Within five minutes of the meeting starting, the Prime Minister is whisked away, to his next engagement.
O'Connor has more to do as well. There are friends and family to visit and a meeting with some of his junior football teammates and coaches. Such is the life of a star quarterback. Things move pretty quickly.
More to come...
