Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson presented sportscaster, Carleton alumnus and Ottawa-native James Duthie with the keys to the city at a ceremony on Sept. 15 at city hall.
Duthie received the keys “in recognition of his tremendous accomplishments as a journalist, author, charity ambassador and award-winning sports broadcaster,” according to a City of Ottawa press release.
Before presenting Duthie with the award, Watson called him a “remarkable” journalist who has brought many Canadians joy and excitement.
Fellow TSN Sportscaster Rod Smith delivered a speech at the event, followed by Duthie’s sister Mary.
Smith described James as someone who “separated himself from the pack.”
“[James has a] different perspective, a kindness, a passion and curiosity for his subjects,” he said.
He also praised James for his coverage of serious events, including the 2018 fatal bus crash in Humboldt, Sask.
“I am proud to call him a friend and a colleague. And even though we didn’t know each other growing up in Ottawa, I am proud to say that he’s from my hometown,” Smith concluded.
Mary joked about her experience of having a celebrated sportscaster for a brother in her speech. After telling her mother about a hard week, Mary said she would respond, “your brother had a hard week too. He had two games and one of them went into overtime.”
The ceremony included a video compilation of James’ career, including the 2010 Canadian men’s hockey victory in Vancouver and a clip of James sporting a Carleton Ravens sweater.
In his speech, James said, as a young reporter covering city hall, he used to interview then-Councillor Watson.
“I remember thinking this guy is very smart and a very kind human being,” he said.
James started his career in his fourth year of Carleton’s journalism program with an internship at CTV News Ottawa.
James, who hosts TSN’s hockey coverage, appeared on TSN’s Toronto radio station the morning before the ceremony.
“[Keys to the city] should go to firefighters that pull children from burning buildings and people that cure diseases, not guys that talk about the Leafs’ power play,” he quipped.
Featured image by Jack Wilson.
