Features

Head-to-head CFL on CBC commentators Mark Lee and Chris Cuthbert breakdown the big game's combatants. Read The Numbers game: the 1-2-3 of the 91st Grey Cup Read The fans and the fanfare: Heroes, underdogs and last-minute shockers make the Grey Cup the most celebrated event in Canadian football. go to CBC's Archive Peacekeepers and pigskin: As it Happens talks to Canadian peacekeepers in Bosnia who will play their own football game in honour of the Grey Cup. Listen Grey Cup rivalry renewed Montreal and Edmonton clash for the ninth time. Read Small is beautiful John Avery may be small for the NFL, but he's put up some big numbers the CFL. Read Velcro hands Ben Cahoon's sticky hands have made him Anthony Calvillo's favourite target. Read

Ben Cahoon
Even if the Als win, we won't see the man with the Velcro hands swilling champagne

He's known as the man with the Velcro hands.

He's not particularly fast, and he stands just 5' 9" and 185 pounds. But, Ben Cahoon is not only one of the CFL's most dependable receivers, he's one of the most spectacular, known for his diving, one-handed catches.

What's the secret behind his sticky hands? Cahoon says it's the very things that make him an unlikely pro receiver.

Watch CFL-on-CBC's feature here

"It's a lifetime of having to make up for some deficiencies physically, with my size and speed," the Brigham Young University product told CBC.

"In order to get to play, I've had to be able to make tough catches. It's just something that comes with a lot of practice and definitely concentration."

"It's something I take pride in, making some tough grabs the average guy wouldn't make."

Now in his fifth season with the Montreal Alouettes, Cahoon has just finished his best regular season ever. His 1,060 yards on 75 catches is third-best in the CFL and it's his fourth straight season with more than 50 grabs.

Cahoon is particularly gratified that his own success goes hand-in-hand with his team's. At 13-5-0-1, the Als finished the as the CFL's top squad and featured a dominating offence that racked up 5,242 yards through the air and 2,342 on the ground.

The 30-year old, who was switched from wideout to slotback in training camp, credits the coaching staff for the Als success.

"Our offensive co-ordinator Jim Barker and receivers' coach Kevin Strasser have done phenomenal work with our receiving group and offence," says Cahoon.

He also credits head coach Don Matthews for setting a winning tone: "He's got a very relaxed approach to the game. He allows us to have fun in practice, have fun in games, but when it's time to get down to business he's the boss and you better work."

The last few years the Alouettes became known as a team that chokes under pressure. They lost four straight East finals before losing to the B.C. Lions in the 2000 Grey Cup. Last year they simply collapsed down the stretch. They started 9-2 and then lost eight games in a row.

But with the Als in the Grey Cup game, it looks like Montreal won't be rolling over like it has in the past.

"This year is completely different," insists Cahoon. "We have a wide-open offence. We have the ability to put points on the board. We've got a pressure defence that cause turnovers and it's a big play defence."

"I hope that we have the ability now where we don't find ourselves in a tight game in the fourth quarter. But even if we do, we have enough confidence that we'll pull it out."

However, if the Alouettes finally manage to break through and win the Grey Cup, there won't be any pictures of Cahoon swilling champagne.

As a practicing Mormon, Cahoon won't touch alcohol, or coffee, for that matter. But while Cahoon doesn't spend much time partying with his teammates he says they all respect his lifestyle.

"They're well aware of it. I get teased a little, but it's all in good-natured fun," says Cahoon.

"I always had (former Alouette) Jock Climie tell me if we won the Grey Cup he was going to force champagne down my throat. He would have had a fight on that one!"

The father of three girls says his strong religious beliefs help keep his priorities in order.

"More than anything, the Church gives me perspective on life and what's really important. I don't know if that gives me an advantage athletically, but I realize that the truly important things in life are my family, health and relationships…My family is my foundation."