"Hes human, after all," is an expression often heard when the armour of the invincible is pierced or the stoic breaks down. Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Those moments when he has shown that humanity are the ones I remember most vividly. On January 21, 2014, Calvillo choked up as he announced his retirement from the game which had occupied nearly half of his 41 years. He struggled to find his words while admitting he had never been more nervous in his life. He struggled some more when he thanked his wife, Alexia and daughters, Athena and Olivia. The same held true when he said how much he will miss his teammates, past and present. He was nearly overcome with emotion when he mentioned his late friend, Mike Dawson, who had passed away scant weeks ago. His decades-long association and friendship with general manager and head coach Jim Popp caused the Alouettes executive to break down, almost uncontrollably, once Popp had started to deliver his tribute to Calvillo. Calvillos retirement announcement marked the end of his playing career, but during that storied journey, there were glimpses into the soul of the man which remain indelible in my memory. In late October 2007, Calvillo cried in a media scrum on the practice field outside Olympic Stadium when he revealed that Alexia had been diagnosed with b-cell lymphoma, one week after she gave birth to the couples second daughter, Olivia. The happy ending, of course, was that Alexia would beat her cancer. Seconds after winning his third Grey Cup in November 2010, Calvillo cried during a live interview with TSNs Farhan Lalji as he finally unburdened himself of a secret he had kept for three months: a cancerous lesion was growing on his thyroid gland. The lesion was detected after he sustained an injured sternum in a game against the Blue Bombers on August 20. Only his family and closest friends and teammates knew of his illness while he guided his team to and through the Grey Cup. Joy, relief, trepidation. All were on display once the final gun had sounded in Edmonton that night. A surgical procedure to remove the lesion the following month would lead to another happy ending in the Calvillo familys fight against cancer. My most lasting memory of Calvillo came eight days after he had leapt over Damon Allen to become pro footballs all-time leading passer on Thanksgiving Day in 2011; not the moment itself, even though I was the sideline reporter standing only 70 yards from the decisive catch-and-run by Jamel Richardson which vaulted Calvillo to the pinnacle of his profession. On October 18, Calvillo was invited by the Montreal Canadiens to a game at the Bell Centre so the crowd could acknowledge him for his historic achievement. After the fans in attendance gave him a thunderous standing ovation prior to puckdrop, Calvillo and his family were taken upstairs to watch the game from a luxury box. I was working rinkside for the NHL on TSN broadcast that night, so we secured an in-game interview with him in the suite. It was during that interview that I was privy to Anthony Calvillo -- the family man and the player -- encapsulated in one fleeting moment. Midway through Calvillos answer to one of my questions, Athena (who was six-years old at the time) sidled up to her Dad and planted a kiss on his right cheek. Without breaking stride, Calvillo continued and completed his answer. His legendary focus which was unshakeable under pressure from defensive front 7s for two decades shone in that moment, as did the fibre of his family. A child raised in a deeply caring, nurturing family didnt hesitate to show her playfulness, innocence and adoration of her Dad -- regardless of the circumstances. National audience? Were you on TV, Dad? Waivers. Redemption. Concussions. Championships. Tears. Laughter. Transcendent athlete. Despite the accolades and his place in the history of the game, Calvillo describes himself as a regular guy. At home, he takes out the garbage. He changed his daughters "poopy diapers" when they were infants. Anthony Calvillo. Hes human, like us all. John Lu is TSNs Montreal Bureau Reporter and has covered the Alouettes and Anthony Calvillos career since 2007. Air Max 270 Pas Cher Noir .5 million, four-year contract with the Texas Rangers that could be worth $32. Balenciaga Pas Cher Chine . In Englands first game since its worst-ever World Cup showing, Roy Hodgsons side rarely looked like scoring against unambitious opposition and the breakthrough in the friendly only came when Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area. http://www.pascherbasketnike.fr/france-vapormax-solde.html . General manager David Poile called signing Ribeiro a great opportunity to add a talented, experienced and creative centre Tuesday when he introduced the veteran at a news conference. Ribeiros contract is worth $1.05 million after being bought out of the final three years of a $22 million contract by the Coyotes recently. Vans Old Skool Homme . A day after FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said three stadiums would not be ready in time for the Dec. 31 deadline, Brazilian officials said they actually plan to deliver all six remaining venues after that date. They claim only three are delayed, with the other three being handed over after the expected date only because of problems accommodating the schedule of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who wants to be present for the ceremonies. Fausse Jordan 1 .Y. -- When the New York Islanders lead was cut in half in the opening minute of the third period, the sense of impending doom began wafting through Nassau Coliseum. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Left-hander Sean Doolittles five-year contract with the Oakland Athletics is worth $10.5 million, and the deal would increase to $13.75 million if he becomes eligible for salary arbitration after this season. The reliever receives a $150,000 signing bonus under the deal announced Friday. Doolittle will get salaries of $600,000 this season, $750,000 in 2015, $1.55 million in 2016, $2.6 million in 2017 and $4.35 million in 2018. The As have a $6 million club option for 2019 with a $500,000 buyout and if that is exercised, they would have a $6.5 million club option for 2020. With a $500,000 buyout. If Doolittle is eligible for arbitration after this season, his salaries would increase to $1.4 million in 2015, $2.45 million in 2016, $3.65 million in 2017 and $5 million in 2018. He began the season with 1 year, 122 days of major league service. The cutoff for arbitration eligibility was exactly 2 years, 122 days last winter, and for the 2012-13 off-seasoon, it was 2 years 139 days.dddddddddddd Doolittle also has escalators in the deal based on games finished. In addition, if he finishes a combined 100 games in 2018-19, the option becomes mutual. His previous deal for 2014 was a one-year contract paying $505,000 in the major leagues this season and $295,500 in the minors. The 27-year-old left-hander has been a reliable member of Oaklands talented bullpen since converting from first base late in the 2011 season. He has aspirations of becoming the clubs regular closer, and is handling some ninth-inning duties this season as manager Bob Melvin goes with a bullpen by committee after the early struggles of 2013 AL saves leader Jim Johnson. Doolittle is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA with one save in nine appearances. He hasnt issued a walk in 10 innings, the most innings among major league relievers who havent allowed a free pass. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported some financial details of Doolittles deal. ' ' '