By Molly Campbell
Stampeders.com

Keon Raymond and his son Dashaun headed to St. Louis, Mo., for a few days during the Stampeders’ bye week.

Dashaun spent time hanging out in the city where his dad grew up, seeing his grandma and watching his dad get inducted into Mehlville High School’s hall of fame.

Raymond with his mom during the induction ceremony

“Man it was amazing,” says the Stampeders defensive back. “I got a chance to go back home, my high school honoured me and retired my jersey and inducted me into the hall of fame. It was definitely humbling for me to be the first to get his number retired so I was definitely excited. Words just couldn’t explain how I felt.” 

Raymond was a three-sport athlete at Mehlville where he competed in basketball and was all-state in track in addition to his talents as a defensive back on the gridiron.

When Raymond was a junior, he helped lead the Panthers football team to their first and only state championship. Several of his teammates and even some fans from that time showed up to watch Raymond’s special halftime ceremony on Friday night.

“It was just like a family reunion and I was definitely speechless,” says Raymond, who was also tasked with giving the team a pre-game speech.

“To see these young guys and be able to give them words of inspiration as far as football and life as well,” continues Raymond. “And just to let those guys know that football is good but you’ve got to make sure we become leaders on and off the field and set examples for people always watching.”

Raymond’s granddad, brother and uncle showed their support.

Raymond is honoured to have a hall of fame award to add alongside his 1999 state championship ring — a ring he has in his possession again thanks to his wife, Bianca.

“I lost my state championship ring the night after prom,” remembers Raymond, “and for our 10th anniversary, my wife bought me a new state championship ring to commemorate the achievement.”

It’s a night Raymond will always remember, despite the fact his alma mater didn’t fare so well in the game.

“I don’t know if I want to say that,” says Raymond when asked the final score. “I’ll tell you what, it was usually the other way around when I was there.”