Football Is a Mirror for Life
My one regret in life is not playing out my full 5 years of eligibility for college football at University of Guelph. But football has taught me more than any classroom ever could, and watching my son Harry carry on that legacy at my alma mater is pure gold.
My one regret in life is not playing out my full 5 years of eligibility for college football at University of Guelph. In the four years I played with the team, I really only "started" in my senior year. I came into the team in training camp as a quarterback.
I lasted 3 days before head coach Dan McNally smartly moved me to wide receiver. The problem? I had no idea WTF I was doing. It took my whole rookie season on the scout team just to figure out how to play the position. Kind of.
During the off season I got stronger, faster, and learned how to actually run routes. Next summer, in training camp, I was doing great until our starting middle linebacker nailed me over the middle on an inside WR screen. Great concept, but we'd run it in practice too many times. I remember laying on the field wondering if they expected me to get up anytime soon, cause I couldn't. It was the 90s, so they just moved the practice 20 yards up the field.
That pretty much destroyed my 2nd year. I did make the dress roster by the end of the season, but for playoffs, we had to take 8 guys fewer to away games, so that meant I had to watch from the sidelines with the guys I practiced with all week. I was still proud to help out on scout team, giving our incredible defence the best possible looks for what they would see on Saturdays. My best friend from high school, Jason Stoter, made me so proud when he returned punts and got in for some key plays on offence.
By the time we made it to our senior year, we were both starting, both on offence and nearly all the special teams. Like any football player, I played through injuries that always made me wonder if I would ever stop hurting. I think that worry, and being broke, played a big part in me deciding that 4 years was enough.
I was surprised and honoured to be awarded the Wildman award that season. It seemed to me that there were so many graduating guys that deserved it just as much or more. At the time, I didn't realize the impact it would have on my life, or for my kids, looking at their dad's younger years.
I remember McNally talking to me in January after the season, saying it wasn't too late to change my mind. Why didn't I listen to him?
Learning More After Retiring
I can honestly say that I've learned much more about the game of football after retiring as a player.
I coached receivers under head coach Dan Gazarek at Trinity College School. They called it Bigside Football, which means senior boys for other HS teams. I was privileged to have a kid named Jared Wayne playing QB and WR for us, who later went on to do a prep year at a HS in Florida, then played for University of Pittsburgh, and now the Houston Texans. Just watching the relentless pursuit of a young athlete reaching their dreams teaches a coach a lot of things.
Harry's Journey
In 2019, my son Harry started playing football in 9th grade. He was primed after watching from the sidelines as a youngster for years. As his Offensive Coordinator, calling plays for my son as a QB was probably one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in sports. Watching him take apart the Upper Canada College defence on the road in 2021 after a brutal covid year was pure gold.
Harry's currently playing WR for my alma mater, our U of G Gryphons! He's ten times the player I was, and it shows. In his 2nd year, he led his team in receptions and receiving TDs.
Watching his games and being there is a huge point of pride for me. Seeing guys from my era and playing in the "Glory Bowl" at homecoming is a blast. Huge props to Bill Brown for organizing the Friend of Gryphon Football community that helps keep us all connected.
The Mirror
Football for me is a mirror for life. I've learned so much from the game that has helped me in my life. Getting up when you're not sure if you can. Persevering through something you don't know if you'll ever be as good at as you want to be. Cheering for your teammates whom you're also competing with for roster spots, and really meaning it.
I regret not playing it for longer, but I'm grateful for how football has shaped my life, and that I can continue to have a close connection with the game forever.