MONTREAL -- They were predicting precipitation all day but it never wound up raining on the Montreal Alouettes' parade.
The only hint of inclement weather was the perfectly grey sky -- an ideal backdrop for celebrating a Grey Cup championship.
But when the downtown party ended and the streets cleared, the rains came down.
The toast of the Canadian Football League rolled down Ste-Catherine Street on flatbed trucks, cheered by boisterous crowds while the only raining clouds were the confetti that fluttered down from the rooftops.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo said he felt fortunate to see such crowds sticking by the team after its string of disappointing playoff defeats earlier in the decade.
"You know it's been frustrating there for a few years," Calvillo said.
"But to do it back-to-back and to come out and see the appreciation from these fans on what was supposed to be a miserable day . . . we've been very blessed."
The Alouettes won their second straight championship last weekend but it's unclear whether the team will remain intact to challenge for a third straight year.
There are a number of potential free agents -- including their star quarterback.
And slotback Ben Cahoon still hadn't made up his mind as of Wednesday whether he'd just played his final game.
"It could be, but you know it could be for several of us," he said. "I don't know at this point.
"We'll get away from the emotion of today and make a decision."
Calvillo will turn 39 next season. He wasn't prepared to make any bets when asked if the team could make it three Grey Cups in a row in 2011.
"Time will tell, time will tell," he replied.
The quarterback is also dealing with a health scare and will have surgery to remove half his thyroid gland. Tests have been inconclusive and it will be examined for cancer.
His wife has also survived a cancer scare.
Calvillo told reporters he's grateful for the support he's been getting, not only in Montreal but right across the country.
"The biggest thing is people are just coming up to me who have gone through some kind of cancer and just like showing their emotions and how supportive they are," Calvillo said.
"People really feel sympathy, I think, because of the history that we had with my wife."
Peter Bellware, 72, travelled from Ottawa by train just to get a glimpse of the two-time Grey Cup winners.
"I've been following them for 60 years so I'm glad that we got two together," he said.
Montrealer Sandra Luce says she watched the Als from the beginning of the season "right to the last minutes" of the Grey Cup.
She also praised Calvillo for playing "with a heavy heart."
Luce says it's too bad Saskatchewan fans didn't stick around to watch the Alouettes get the trophy after Montreal's 21-18 win over the Roughriders.
"But that's OK, it didn't take away from our celebration," she added.
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