Words by Rob Vanstone
Don Narcisse’s consistent number– 80– has actually never ever looked far better than it does today, on his 58th birthday celebration.
The famous Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver, a 2010 conscript right into the Canadian Football Hall of Popularity, just recently commemorated an 80 on a kidney examination outcome.
Just 4 months back, Narcisse’s GFR (Glomerular Filtering Price) had actually come down to the factor where the number was startling.
” The medical professional stated, ’30 … you may need to go on dialysis,'” Narcisse remembers from his residence in Houston.
” I had hypertension and also my kidneys had actually dropped from 80 to 30. I remained in there weeping hard. The medical professional stated he was mosting likely to send me to an expert. When I left there, I called my sis and also she stated, ‘You require to begin consuming right.’ ”
His sis Debra– that, together sufficient, transforms 62 today– without delay and also most importantly connected to their more youthful sibling, Shawn.
Shawn’s pointer: Alkaline deoxidant water.
” I consumed alcohol that things constantly,” Don Narcisse states. “It cleanses your system right out.”
While additionally tidying up his diet plan, he decreased his weight to 197 extra pounds, from 230. After that he went back to the medical professional’s workplace, went through follow-up examinations, and also …
” Eighty,” No. 80 states. “The medical professional stated, ‘I do not recognize what you did.’ ”
That was just the most up to date instance of Narcisse conquering the chances.
At 5-foot-9 and also 170 extra pounds, he was rarely the quintessential professional possibility appearing of Texas Southern College, despite the fact that he led the NCAA’s Department 1-AA in obtaining backyards (1,074) as an elderly in 1986.
The absence of dimension was matched by an absence of blazing rate.
And also, incidentally, he had a heart whispering as a child. Bronchial asthma, as well.
Inevitably, the stats were awesome.
Narcisse retired after the 1999 period as the Canadian Football Organization’s all-time leader in functions (919 ). All these years later on, he is still 7th on the profession listing.
Ahead of him are Nik Lewis (1,050), Geroy Simon (1,029), Ben Cahoon (1,017), Terry Vaughn (1,006), Darren Flutie (972) and also Allen Pitts (966 ).
” I’m Number 1 in passes captured by a pass receiver,” Narcisse highlights. “Everybody that’s over me was a slotback. Those people have a running begin at the line of skirmish. It’s a various placement than a pass receiver– much like a fullback and also a tailback.
” As for catches by a pass receiver, I’m Number 1.”
He may effectively be atop the listing in regards to autographs authorized and also followers’ birthday celebration events participated in. A lot more times than any person can record, he turned up unannounced.
” It made use of to amaze individuals,” Narcisse states. “They were surprised.
” I simply enjoyed to join individuals, specifically individuals that sustained you. You bet the followers, guy.
” When the group was shedding, they would certainly jump on you, yet those followers up there enjoy that group.”
Among those followers, Paul Faubert, went to Narcisse’s apartment or condo with some pals in 1989 and also requested a sign.
The following day, Paul returned– this moment by himself– with a photo that he had actually attracted of Narcisse. The celebrity receiver was handed an illustration that included this engraving: “Paul Faubert … 7 years of ages.”
Narcisse was quickly presented to Paul’s moms and dads (Eileen and also Nelson Faubert) and also more youthful sis (Renee).
” The following point I recognize, I’m remaining at their residence,” Narcisse wonders. “I really did not need to pay rental fee. They treated me like family members as soon as possible.
” They dealt with me, guy. If it had not been for them, I would not remain in the Hall of Popularity. Whatever was so steady. I had a family members ahead residence to and also speak with every evening, also if I had a negative video game or the group had a negative video game.
” It boggled the mind.”
So were the numbers– such as life time total amounts of 12,366 obtaining backyards (9th all-time, and also tops amongst wideouts) and also 75 goals.
He additionally signed up 8 1,000-yard periods and also at the very least one catch in each of the 216 video games he bet the Eco-friendly and also White.
Tolerable for somebody that, once, figured that he would certainly play the trumpet as opposed to senior high school football.
The trick? An uncannily trusted set of hands.
A capacity to run geometric pass patterns was additionally advantageous.
And also the mindset? Irresistible.
That appeared at a free-agent camp the Roughriders kept in Shreveport, La., not long after Narcisse’s finishing period at Texas Southern.
The tale, frequently informed, started when Dorothy Narcisse provided her boy $40, to be divided in between himself and also quarterback Harold Smith. That was simply adequate cash to obtain both to Shreveport, albeit behind prepared after Smith made an incorrect turn.
” There were 400 people around, they just intended to maintain 4, and also I are just one of them?” Narcisse states. “Unreal.
” I asked Train John Gregory, ‘Do you require any kind of receivers?’ He stated, ‘No, we do not require any kind of receivers– yet we require you.’
” He desires me ?! I was so satisfied. I was believing, ‘We have actually reached go there.’ ”
Not so quick. And also, yes, he was not so quick, yet the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals were interested, no matter. They authorized Narcisse as an undrafted freelance and also, prior to as well long, he went to the Cardinals’ training school in addition to a second-year professional quarterback called Kent Austin.
In spite of an outright absence of NFL draft qualifications, Narcisse lasted till the last cutdown.
” When I obtained launched, the receivers train brought me right into the lunchroom,” Narcisse states. “He stated, ‘You really did not do anything incorrect. The factor you really did not make it was as a result of the lengthy snapper.’ They needed to maintain him due to the fact that they required a lengthy snapper and also he really did not play an additional placement.
” He informed me this and also I began weeping. I stated, ‘What are y’ all doing?’ He came by and also embraced me. I sobbed hard.
” The following day, I spoke with the head train. He stated, ‘There’s a group called the Saskatchewan Roughriders that is calling. They desire you to go there, yet we desire you to remain.’
” I called my mom … weeping. She stated, ‘When one door shuts, an additional one opens up,’ so I flew approximately Saskatchewan the following day.
” I arrived in the center of technique. They had me run 10 pass paths as soon as possible. They began with a hook pattern, which was my favourite.
” I captured 9 of those 10 passes.”
Austin quickly captured a trip to Regina after he, as well, was reduced by the Cardinals.
With Austin brand-new in the area and also still finding out the playbook, newbie Jeff Bentrim began at quarterback for Saskatchewan on Sept. 19, 1987 at Republic Arena in Edmonton.
Although the host side won 34-13, it was an advantageous CFL launching for Narcisse, that had a team-high 5 catches for 40 backyards, consisting of a nine-yard goal link with Bentrim.
Little did Narcisse presume that he would certainly not get to completion area once more till the 1989 period opener.
Adhering to an injury-marred 1988 project, Narcisse captured 2 fourth-quarter goal passes from Tom Citizen as Saskatchewan rallied for a 32-29 success over the checking out Calgary Stampeders on July 12, 1989.
Such was the ignition for an outbreak period by Narcisse, that captured 81 masquerade 1,419 backyards and also 11 TDs. The last 2 total amounts became profession single-season highs.
The 1989 period was stressed by Saskatchewan’s 43-40 Grey Mug success over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Austin was called the video game’s offending MVP after tossing for 474 backyards and also 3 goals– second-quarter strikes to Narcisse, Ray Elgaard and also Jeff Fairholm.
Starting in 1989, Narcisse signed up 7 successive 1,000-yard periods prior to striking 4 numbers again in 1998. At age 33, he was called a CFL all-star for the 4th and also last time.
Already, he was reputable as a celebrity on and also off the area. His countless payments to the area consisted of a fundamental visibility with SaskEnergy’s “Capture For Youngsters” program.
All these years later on, Narcisse is still doing his utmost to offer a favorable impact. As an individual fitness instructor, he deals with young professional athletes along with running a local business with his partner, Cassandra.
” My partner constantly states, ‘He’s discussing his prime time once more,'” Narcisse states with a laugh. “I can speak about Saskatchewan things throughout the day, on a daily basis. To play in Saskatchewan for 13 years was a true blessing.”
Don and also Cassandra Narcisse are additionally honored with 3 kids– Sienna, Donald Jr., and also Chelsea– that are well right into their 20s.
So was the Roughriders’ No. 80, throughout his prime time.
Also up his quality, no one has actually ever before applauded for him much more vigorously than held true when he was detected with Phase 1 prostate cancer cells in 2018.
” I was so afraid,” Narcisse keeps in mind. “My sis (Pam) had pancreatic cancer cells. After I was detected, she turned up at my residence without me recognizing she was coming. She brought my whole family members.
” She stated, ‘Hey, huge brother, we’re mosting likely to deal with you. Blog post something on Facebook. You can assist individuals out and also they can assist you out.’ ”
Narcisse’s social-media article produced a flooding of feedbacks and also developed countless relationships.
” One person, I sent him all my numbers,” Narcisse remembers. “He stated, ‘Don, this is what you have actually reached do.’
” I was honored. There were 5 individuals I can indicate that actually aided me out.
” Ever since, other individuals have actually been striking me up and also I have actually attempted to assist them out. I discuss every little thing to them, much like individuals aided me.”
With those experiences in mind, Narcisse is much more satisfied than ever before of every day. Birthday celebrations are specifically substantial taking into account all the pointers of life’s frailty.
So he will certainly appreciate now, while valuing every minute and also individuals around him.
” I obtained a hairstyle and also I obtained the grey out of the hair,” a laughing Narcisse states when inquired about prepare for celebrating No. 58. “I may place something on Facebook that reveals me relocating about in my man-cave.”
Asked whether the video clip will certainly consist of the copyrighted, rubber-legged goal dancing, Narcisse yields that– comparable to he really feels– age has actually been impactful in one regard.
” I ain’t mosting likely to do the dancing,” he states, keeping in mind that he will certainly appreciate the day.
” When it comes to transforming 58, I never ever check out the numbers. After handling prostate cancer cells, I recognize that a great deal of points can occur.
” I’m simply satisfied to be right here, guy.”
