Calgary Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood (centre) holds the Grey Cup with his uncle Mike Greenwood and father Peter Greenwood at Bearance's Grocery in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, February 22, 2019. Greenwood won the Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in Nov. 2018. Steph Crosier/The Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network Steph Crosier /Steph Crosier/Kingston Whig-Standard

Calgary Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood shows off the Grey Cup to customers Bearance's Grocery in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, February 22, 2019. Greenwood won the Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in Nov. 2018. Steph Crosier/The Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network Steph Crosier /Steph Crosier/Kingston Whig-Standard

Calgary Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood shows off the Grey Cup to customers at Bearance's Grocery in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, February 22, 2019. Greenwood won the Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in Nov. 2018. Steph Crosier/The Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network Steph Crosier /Steph Crosier/Kingston Whig-Standard

Calgary Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood (centre) holds the Grey Cup with his uncle Mike Greenwood and father Peter Greenwood at Bearance's Grocery in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, February 22, 2019. Greenwood won the Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in Nov. 2018. Steph Crosier/The Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network Steph Crosier /Steph Crosier/Kingston Whig-Standard

Calgary Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood shows off the Grey Cup to customers Bearance's Grocery in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, February 22, 2019. Greenwood won the Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in Nov. 2018. Steph Crosier/The Whig-Standard/Postmedia Network Steph Crosier /Steph Crosier/Kingston Whig-Standard

Calgary Stampeders linebacker and Grey Cup champion Cory Greenwood brought the trophy home to Kingston for a low-key visit with his family.

Kingston export and Calgary Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood was in Kingston on Friday to give his family their own moment with the Grey Cup.

“I got my pictures on the stage and I’ll get that ring, that’s all I wanted,” Cory said of the Canadian Football League final in Edmonton. “Thought I’d bring [the cup] back and show my family.”

While the veteran linebacker’s uncle, cousin and some friends were able to make the Grey Cup final, Cory’s parents, Peter and Lana Greenwood, had booked a cruise. It was the Stampeders’ first title since 2014. On Friday afternoon, Cory showed off the Grey Cup during a low-key event at this uncle’s store, Bearance’s Grocery.

“My heart was in my throat when I opened up the case and saw the dent,” Peter said.

Cory received the cup from a teammate, 24-year-old rookie Eric Mezzalira of Hamilton. Cory said the cup gets pretty beaten up during its tour every year. He’s heard that this year it’s been on a couple of late-night adventures as well as skiing and snowboarding.

“I opened the case and thought, ‘Holy, boys,’” Cory told one of the many customers who came over to take a peek at the cup. “When we first got it, it was nice and authentic, but every year they’ll make it nice again.”

The journey home from California, where his wife was working, wasn’t without some drama. The 33-year-old said he ran into some trouble in Toronto when he tried to bring the cup and its case onto the train to Kingston.

“I didn’t know how big the case was … I was surprising [my parents] but I should have called ahead,” Cory said. “I told them [it was the Grey Cup], so they put me in another car where there was more storage.”

Cory first signed with the Stamps in September 2018, and then re-signed with them at the end of this January. He would have become a free agent in February. Prior to his time in Calgary, Greenwood had signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2017 but tore his anterior cruciate ligament on the first day of training camp.

After a year off, during which he was released from Edmonton, the six-foot-two, 235-pound Greenwood was back on the field with the Stampeders, playing eight games with Calgary, including the 27-16 Grey Cup win over the Ottawa Redblacks. In the Western final and the Grey Cup final, Greenwood collected a total of three special teams tackles.

“Cory is a versatile and experienced player with the ability to contribute both on special teams and on defence,” John Hufnagel, Stampeders president and general manager, said after Cory was re-signed to the franchise. “He will get the opportunity to earn an important role as he enters his first full season with the club.”

On Friday, he said there have been no problems with his knee, that the break has been good and that he’s looking forward to next season with Calgary.

The cup goes next to Greenwood’s fellow Concordia University alumnus and Stampeders kicker Rene Paredes.

scrosier@postmedia.com

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