Curling legend Glenn Howard reflects on his career & what's next
After decades of dominance on the ice, Glenn Howard, one of the most decorated curlers in history, has announced his retirement.
With four world championships, four Briers, and 17 provincial titles under his belt, Howard leaves behind a legacy that has not only elevated the sport but also put the shores of South Georgian Bay on the world map.
In an interview with CTV News, conducted just two days into his retirement, Howard reflects on his illustrious career and what lies ahead.
"I realize now it is time to pack it in, and I've come to terms with it," Howard remarks, addressing the toll the sport has taken on his body. "My knee is so sore now that it's taking the fun out of the sport."
For Howard, curling has been more than just a sport; it's been a way of life deeply intertwined with his family and community.
"I felt at peace on the curling sheet," he shares. "It was everything. My family was involved, [my] mom, dad, brother, my two kids. Curling is everything to me."
Throughout his career, Howard shared the ice with his family, including his brother Russ. In 1987, Howard won his first Canadian championship and world championship with his brother by his side. The brothers played together for 15 years.
Howard also played eight years with his son Scott.
Reflecting on his journey from the small town of Midland, Howard acknowledges the significance of his achievements.
"It's super cool to be able to say you won a world championship championship. Those are special memories with all those amazing teammates," he says.
Howard's longtime friend, Bryan Wilson, highlights how the curling icon's talents extend far beyond his accomplishments on the ice.
"It's not just the curling but what he's done for the communities around here," Wilson says. "[He's a] great ambassador for the game [and] hard to replace."
As Howard steps into retirement, he leaves behind a changed game, with one of his proudest achievements being the evolution of the rules, spearheaded alongside his brother Russ.
"It was right here in this curling club [that] he came up with that idea of not being able to remove the first couple of rocks of an end. We just did that in practice. Long story short, it morphed into the three-rock, four-rock and the now existing five-rock rule," Howard says.
Looking ahead, Howard expresses confidence in curling's future, noting the abundance of young talent. He hopes to stay around for a bit longer as a coach.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.