In the end, they weren't Grey Cup champions. But the Calgary Stampeders were nothing but class Sunday night as they honoured a player who was robbed of his chance to experience the CFL final.
Mylan Hicks was fatally shot outside a Calgary nightclub in September. The 23-year-old had signed with the Stampeders in May and was on their practice roster. His teammates called him "family."
So on Sunday night, they made sure his mom was right there with them for their big night. Because it would have been Mylan's too.
So, they took care of each other:
Renee Hill joined her late son's teammates on the field in the lead-up to the game:
She was part of their pre-game huddle:
And when the Stamps came back to tie the game up in the incredible last minutes of the 4th quarter, some fans couldn't help thinking of Mylan:
The game was so, so close. But the Stamps won Canada's heart. In memory of Mylan and in honour of Renee.