Kyle Labelle
It’s been over 15 years since a grade nine kid from Cornwall stumbled upon a high school football team and had his world changed forever. That young man was Kyle Labelle, who is now a two time champion in the Cornwall Men’s Flag Football League and the heart of a team that’s more like a family. His journey from an accidental rookie at St-Joes to a flag football enthusiast is a story of passion, friendship, and touchdowns. Kyle’s football adventure started in the most unexpected way. Just a few hours before his first tryout at St. Joseph’s, he didn’t even know the school had a team. But the moment he stepped on that field, he was hooked. He fell in love with everything about the game, from sweating through drills in the summer heat to the grind of getting better every day. He honed his skills with the Cornwall Wildcats, and when his tackle football days were over, flag football was there to fill the void. With his background as a defensive back and inside receiver, it was the perfect fit.
He jumped into the CMFFL in 2011, sparing for a team called Jas-mar. He then spent three great years with the Summit 49ers before returning to Jas-mar and snagging a championship in 2016. But the real magic began in 2017 when he put together his own squad, CrossFit Cornwall, team that soon enough earn the respect of the league snagging 2 more championships for Kyle.
What's really admirable about Kyle's team is their unbreakable bond. They had a perfect regular season in 2017, only to be crushed by a one point loss in the semifinals. But they bounced back with a vengeance the next year, winning it all. Winning those championships stands out as a huge highlight for Kyle, but he says the best part is just playing with his friends. There’s nothing like watching your teammates pull off a crazy play, like picking off a lateral pass on a kickoff return and running it all the way in for a score. The loyalty on this team is truly one for the books. For nine seasons, not a single player has left CrossFit Cornwall to join another team. That says it all about the fun they have together. For Kyle, the game is about more than the final score, it's about the pure joy of competing and the bonds forged on the field, winning is awesome, of course, but he believes that losing a few games along the way makes the wins that much sweeter.
Looking ahead, Kyle hopes the team stays together for years to come, continuing their legacy. His story is a simple reminder that while trophies gather dust, the friendships you make last a lifetime.
