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Bruce Covernton was known for lighting opponents up on the football field and lighting up hearts off it.
But the light in the well-regarded Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman went dark overnight Tuesday when he died in his sleep at much too young of an age.
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Covernton — a “larger-than-life personality” — was just 57.
“It’s definitely a tough day,” said former Stampeders teammate Jamie Crysdale, his voice filled with emotion.
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“Yeah … I mean … Bruce was the ‘Tuna’,” continued Crysdale, who played alongside Covernton on the Stampeders’ offensive line in the mid-1990s. “It’s funny, because when you looked at his career, he played for a few years max. But when you look at how well he was known in town, you would have thought he played for 20 years. He was definitely a huge part of the organization and the community.”
In fact, Covernton played for five years — from 1992 through ’96 — with the Stampeders.
The native of Morris, Man., was an anchor on the o-line, twice earning CFL West Division all-star honours and being named a league all-star on one occasion. He played 72 regular-season games for the Red and White and was the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 1992 and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
“He was tough, tenacious and a (crap)-talker,” said Crysdale with a chuckle. “I feel sorry for Rocco (Romano), because Rocco played beside him for a long time and Bruce was heat-seeking all the time and when he didn’t have anybody to hit, 50% of the time, it was Rocco that got hit while he was blocking someone. ’Tuna’ was definitely into the physical aspects of the game.
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“He was one of those guys that just got after it.”
Another former teammate, newly appointed Stamps president Jay McNeil, agreed.
“When Bruce was in his prime, there was nobody better,” McNeil said. “He dominated at left tackle.”
Unfortunately, the 1992 draftee — a first-overall pick and the first-ever by then-Stamps GM Wally Buono — from NCAA’s Weber State Wildcats had his career cut short by injury.
He was out of action for all but one game in 1995 and remained with the team in ’97 and ’98 despite being injured before leaving the sport with two Grey Cup rings — in 1992 and ’98 — from championships won with the Stamps.
But football followed him into retirement, as he became an active member of the Stampeder Alumni Association.
“He always tried to make everybody laugh,” Crysdale said. “That was his thing. I don’t know if that was just a cover of his own sadness or whatever. But I tell you, he always made a point to make sure that he was the light of the room, trying to always make everybody have a good time.”
And Covernton was known for being a frequent participant in Calgary’s community activities and causes during and after his playing career.
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“It’s fairly public knowledge that he went through a lot of ups and downs following the end of his football career, but that made him one of the most resilient toughest people I knew,” said McNeil, calling Covernton one of his closest friends. “And his commitment to the community and to helping other people never wavered, regardless of what was happening in his life and all his ups and downs. And this is not a cliché, but he was truly inspirational to all of us because of his willingness to help people.
“For that, I have tremendous admiration and respect for him.”
Eventually, Covernton became a partner of Champion Staffing — a staffing and recruitment services agency — in downtown Calgary.
“Lately was the best I’ve seen him in a long time,” McNeil said. “His mental health was good, as was his physical health. He was getting better. It was great to see. He was just a great guy to be around. A big personality, a big heart and a great friend.”
Added Crysdale, “He did have a big, big heart. When I sit here and think about all the people that he has touched over the years, I don’t think there’s a building or a venue in town large enough to hold all the people that would want to say, ‘What a good guy.’
“He was.”
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM
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