Tribute to Norm Casola

[paulwoods13]

My buddy came across this chopper yesterday. Very cool, would love to know the story.

For those who don't remember, Norm Casola was a really well-liked player on the Argos in the mid-1990s. He was a receiver but made his primary mark on special teams. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1998 and died later that year. If memory serves, he had symptoms in 1997 but kept them to himself and kept playing and contributing to that year's Grey Cup championship team.

casola1.jpgcasola2.jpgCasola3.jpg

[Will]

Where did your friend take this picture?

[argomANIA]

That's beautiful! Norm was a great guy. I actually think of him often. I have a pin that they sold after he passed away. I wear it on my jacket to this day. He was a quiet guy. Played through the pain.

Miss you Norm...

[ArgoRavi]

Perry Lefko had a great column about Casola in the Toronto Sun not long after he died. I wish that I still had it. Lefko wrote about that final season which Casola played and just how ill he was by the Grey Cup game that year.

I have always said that if Casola had played in the NFL or he were a hockey player, there would have been a movie made about him years ago. Sadly, few know of his story though.

[Will]

I remember him from when he passed away. Never got much of an opportunity at receiver from what I recall.

[ArgoGabe22]

Thats a cool bike I wonder if ... I think his name is Schmidt who played in '91 made that bike. I read an article on retired players and said he owned a custom car/chopper restoration shop down in Whitby or something like that.

[1argoholic]

I got to know Norm very well as The Argoholics got to know many guys well in those days. I still have a button on my coveralls that only get worn at Grey Cup now. He was a strong bugger and it was hard to imagine him getting taken that way. It was a real sad time. I always get asked about the button. Cool bike.

[Nob]

Like others here I too have the Cancer Foundation tribute button of Norm Casola.

Norm's passing was a very tragic story, and Lefko did a great job telling it after it unfolded. Casola was the prototypical Canadian player - quiet, hard working, and dedicated football player. He was a special teams stud. He was taken way too early.

It saddened me that the Argos gave Copeland the number 80. If I'm not mistaken I believe that Copeland is the only player since Casola to wear that number.

I have often thought that the Argos should honor Norm by naming a Special Teams player award in his name.

[jerrym]

Norm was one of my favourite backup Argos of all-time.

[Stevoman]

I remember hearing stories that when other players kids came to the locker room, they all ran to Norm! A very popular locker room guy who knew his role on the field and played it well. I agree, a special teams award needs to be named in his honour.

[ArgoZ]

With all due respect, he was not a hall of famer. His number should be available for any player.

The Norm Casola award is very appropriate though. I would like to see that.

[argomANIA]

With all due respect, he was not a hall of famer. His number should be available for any player.

The Norm Casola award is very appropriate though. I would like to see that.

Agreed...I guess we just get attached to a "number" and associate a player to it.

[argofandave]

I think that Brad Smith wore # 80 during his short time here. IIRC, Adrian Smith painted a portrait of Norm and it was presented to Norm's parents on field before a game. It was one of the most touching tributes I've ever seen.

[Stevoman]

Donald Smith (#19) was the artist...he did some great work.

[1argoholic]

Yes the artist Smith was indeed Donald and I still have one of his prints I need to frame.

[ash185]

Hi, I am Norm Casolas niece. I was young when he passed away. If anyone has any stories, pictures or articles, (especially the one that people in the thread have mentioned) that they would like to share with me, please email or reply ... I'm sure my mom would love for that as well.

[ArgoRavi]

Hi, I am Norm Casolas niece. I was young when he passed away. If anyone has any stories, pictures or articles, (especially the one that people in the thread have mentioned) that they would like to share with me, please email or reply ... I'm sure my mom would love for that as well.

I am glad that you found this site. Your uncle is discussed every so often on here as you can see.

[1argoholic]

I always wear my picture of Norm with message about The Cancer Society on my Argoholic coveralls at Grey Cup. It sits in a plastic cover that clips on my pocket near my heart. I put a heart sticker on it as well. Folks always ask what it's about. Norm would always talk to me and was one of the very few Argos over the years that would call me by my name. I've known many players from going to practices, road trips, meet the player nights and from after games at restaurants/bars. Yet he's the only one who'd walk up and say hi Mark knowing me by name. He was such a big strong guy and when we lost him we were all in shock. It was a real eye opener.

I remember how well that group of players all treated me like gold back in the day. I remember jumping into Mike O'Shea's Jeep with Norm, Mike and Mike Morealle as they invited me from one place to another after a game in TO one night. We all went up to a bar and played pool and did plenty of laughing. Norm will never be forgotten by me.

[ash185]

Hello again, very nice to hear your stories. I have showed my mom this thread, (Carla Casola) she is Norm's older sister. They were inseparable, especially throughout their childhood. We are very happy to read all of your comments about him and it is great to see that after 14 years, his memory still lives on and that you all speak about him so respectfully and honourably. I was only 6 when he passed away, but I remember him asking me to one day find a cure for cancer. He is definitely the inspiration that has encouraged me to strive for success throughout my athletic career. I am a varsity soccer player for Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON. I like to believe I possess the same passion for soccer that my Uncle did for football and that is what I admire him the most for; how much he loved the game and how he played it with so much pride, determination and heart. Thanks for all of your comments, they were a pleasure to read. I have always said that I wish I had known him better, and all of these posts are so enlightening and I am proud as his niece to have read them all. - Ashley Melnek

[294life]

Hello again, very nice to hear your stories. I have showed my mom this thread, (Carla Casola) she is Norm's older sister. They were inseparable, especially throughout their childhood. We are very happy to read all of your comments about him and it is great to see that after 14 years, his memory still lives on and that you all speak about him so respectfully and honourably. I was only 6 when he passed away, but I remember him asking me to one day find a cure for cancer. He is definitely the inspiration that has encouraged me to strive for success throughout my athletic career. I am a varsity soccer player for Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON. I like to believe I possess the same passion for soccer that my Uncle did for football and that is what I admire him the most for; how much he loved the game and how he played it with so much pride, determination and heart. Thanks for all of your comments, they were a pleasure to read. I have always said that I wish I had known him better, and all of these posts are so enlightening and I am proud as his niece to have read them all. - Ashley Melnek

wow that's amazing. this thread should have a place of honor here.