Grey Cup pursuit entices Daniels to stay in Calgary
Talented receiver signs new contract with Stamps
As DaVaris Daniels stood on the field in Minnesota eight days ago and watched his father celebrate the greatest accomplishment of his professional career, his priorities began to come into focus.
His dad, Phillip Daniels, had just helped coach the Philadelphia Eagles to a win in Super Bowl LLII.
The younger Daniels, meanwhile, has come close to winning the Grey Cup in each of his two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders but fell short both times.
Knowing how hard his dad worked and how rare it is to get a chance at winning a title, Daniels allowed himself to get swept up in the moment and really consider what he wanted at this point in his career.
On Monday, Daniels signed a contract with the Stampeders and reflected on how his dad’s Super Bowl win influenced his decision.
“To come on the field and see the celebration and see the tears in his eyes and know how hard he worked and seeing the players celebrate, you lose yourself in that moment,” Daniels said.
“I’ve been so close with the Stampeders but haven’t quite gotten over that hump.
“It would be more than magical to get it done if we can get there a third time. It would feel better for me to do it with Calgary than any other team.”
If the Stampeders are going to win the 2018 Grey Cup, Daniels figures to have a big role to play.
This is a guy who won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award in 2016 after bursting onto the scene in the second half of the season, finishing with 885 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in only 11 games.
In 2017, things didn’t go quite as well, although Daniels still finished with 743 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 13 games.
In the Grey Cup game against the Toronto Argonauts, though, Daniels came up huge. He would finish the game with 11 catches for 113 yards, proving himself to be a big-game receiver.
The Stamps are going to need more of that in 2018, especially with veteran Marquay McDaniel released last week.
McDaniel’s likely departure — he could sign a restructured deal with the Stampeders — means Daniels and Kamar Jorden are going to be counted on more than ever.
“That’s what I’m ready for, that’s what I think is going to happen and what I’ve been preparing all off-season for,” Daniels said. “Losing (McDaniel) is a big hit to the offence. He’s probably one of the most consistent guys we’ve ever had and I’ve ever seen. He’s a hard worker and that’s something I want to be for the team. I’m hoping to step into that role and be that guy.
“I don’t expect 10 balls a game, but I think my team has a better chance of winning when I do see the ball.”
Daniels wasn’t the only receiver to sign up for another season with the Stamps Monday, as veteran University of Calgary Dinos product Anthony Parker also re-upped with the team.
Parker has been with the Stamps since 2011 and has played 108 regular season games with the Calgary crew, compiling 178 catches for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns.