Mitchell ‘amazed’ by outpouring of support
Stampeders still reeling from death of fallen teammate Mylan Hicks
Calgary’s reputation has suffered in the wake of Mylan Hicks’ murder on Saturday night.
But Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will defend this city to the end.
Mitchell said the support he and his teammates have received in the aftermath of Hicks’ death has been a big help.
“Honestly, it really has been amazing,” Mitchell said. “I was in the grocery store and someone came up to me and said, ‘I’m not a football fan. I don’t even know if you play for the team. But I saw your hat and if you do play for them, I apologize for what happened.’
“I’ve had people in the neighbourhood bringing cards and flowers to the house and offering to mow our lawn.
“The support throughout Calgary is why I love this city. Everybody is so amazing and so welcoming.”
Hicks was gunned down outside a nightclub on Saturday night, leaving many shaking their head over the senseless death of a promising 23-year-old athlete.
The Stampeders picked up Hicks’ parents from the airport on Wednesday and head coach Dave Dickenson said he was looking forward to meeting them.
“People have reached out to us in many, many ways,” Dickenson said. “I know the family comes in (on Wednesday) and Huf’s (president/GM John Hufnagel) grabbing them from the airport.
“A lot of our players, coaches and staff are looking forward to meeting them and sharing stories.”
The Stamps, while attempting to prepare for Saturday’s game in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats (2 p.m., TSN/News Talk 770), have struggled to deal with the loss of their teammate.
“It’s tough,” Dickenson said. “I’m working hard to hopefully be the guy they can lean on a little bit.
“But it certainly doesn’t feel normal yet.
“I believe the guys understand that we care about them and that we will help them. And we have to make sure that if they need some help, that they come to us.”
Mitchell said the club has done everything it can to provide the players with any assistance they might need during the grieving process.
“The team and the organization have done an amazing job giving us support systems,” Mitchell said.
“And having meetings and giving us people to talk to. I know they had a meeting yesterday with everyone who was at the actual scene, talking to those guys about images in your head and how hard it’s going to be to forget something like that.
“I don’t think you can forget it. You just have to move forward, try to understand what the situation was and learn from it.”
Mitchell and the rest of the Stamps returned to the practice field on Tuesday but he said it’s impossible to return to a normal rhythm.
“It’s a little different, knowing that you’re missing a guy out there,” Mitchell said.
“But we know we have a guy looking over us now.
“A lot of guys are trying to find their own personal way to honour him.
“We’re doing our best to put our best foot forward and treat the situation for what it is as far as football being a pretty small thing compared to life.”
Mitchell was named CFL player of the month for the second straight month on Wednesday.
“It’s an honour,” Mitchell said. “All it means is that we’ve been balling out on offence.
“As a whole, we’ve been balling out across the board.
“At the quarterback position, you’re nothing without the guys around you. Obviously the O-line has been great with the (lack of ) sacks given up and the receivers are coming into their own and making big plays after the catch.”
Mitchell threw nine touchdowns and two interceptions as the Stamps went 4-0 in September.
The Stamps were without offensive tackles Dan Federkeil and Derek Dennis on Wednesday. Although both are considered questionable for Saturday, Dickenson hopes to have both in the lineup. Running back Jerome Messam continues to go through concussion protocol. Dickenson said the CFL’s leading rusher has been passing the tests so far ... The Stamps collected 3,370 coats on Saturday as part of the Salvation Army Coat Drive.
The support throughout Calgary is why I love this city. Everybody is so amazing and so welcoming.