It was a form of closure on a dark chapter in Swift Current.
The city declared Sheldon Kennedy Day on Saturday to recognize the former Bronco who has been a crusader against sexual abuse since revealing the abuse he suffered under former Bronco Coach Graham James in the 80s.
Kennedy says the honour from the city, in combination with being presented the Scotiabank Humanitatrian Award from the Dr. Noble Irwin Foundation this past weekend has provided great closure for him personally and that he looks forward to moving on from it.
Kennedy says the steps he took in speaking out against the abuse has opened the door to major improvements in screening for coaches and has hopefully made it easier for other victims to come forward as well.
Meanwhile, Kennedy's abuser will be back in court today.
Former Broncos Coach Graham James pleaded guilty in December to repeated sexual assaults against two former players, Theo Fleury and a man who cannot be named under court order.
Today is his sentencing hearing, which Kennedy will be attending. However he is not optomistic about a severe sentence as he told a Senate committee yesterday that he expects James will get away without jail time.
James served a three and a half year sentence on the previous conviction.
Sat, May 18, 1:00 PM
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