Canadian quarterback content a rarity in Edmonton history
There are a lot of things that put “Canadian” in the Canadian Football League, but quarterbacks haven't really been one of them for a mighty long time.
Especially around Commonwealth Stadium, where you'd have to go all the way back to even before the three decades since the last time there was a post-season version of the NHL'S Battle of Alberta.
But just like how the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames will be renewing hockey hostilities in Round 2 of the playoffs, there is Canadian content involved in a wide-open audition to become the next starting quarterback for the Edmonton Elks going on at training camp right now.
The last time there was a Canadian listed at the position in green and gold — as close as there was consensus among those in the know down at Commonwealth on Tuesday, anyway — said spot belonged to Red Deer's Greg Vavra in 1988, his last stop on a five-year CFL career that included time with the Calgary Stampeders and B.C. Lions.
There have since been university quarterbacks who have made the team playing other positions, including Chris Hardy out of Manitoba, who was switched to safety, and Laval's Mathieu Bertrand, who became a fullback in the pros. But to find a legitimate Canadian quarterback on the team, you'd best look right next to few and far between.
Until this year, that is, where there is not one, but two players throwing in training camp with Canadian birth certificates. One belongs to first-round draft pick Tre Ford out of the University of Waterloo and the other to Mike Beaudry, a Regina-born Idaho product.
“They've both done some good things and they've both played multiple positions. They both can help us special teams-wise,” said Elks head coach and general manager Chris Jones. “So, I would anticipate hopefully being able to get them on the roster some way.”
Even if it's not behind centre. The No. 1 job is up for grabs with six candidates in camp.
“The cards are definitely stacked against me, but that's just more fuel to the fire,” said Ford, the eighth overall draft pick who was lauded for his overall athleticism as much as for his throwing ability. “I'm just learning more and more every single day and hopefully I can get my shot.
“I'm extremely grateful to be where I am and I just want to be a role model to the next generation coming up and show them that you can play in U Sports and high school in Canada and get a chance to play (quarterback) in the CFL.”
Beaudry's story is a bit different.
“I was born in Regina and moved when I was really young, I was about 10 years old, so I grew up most of my life in Florida,” said Beaudry, who led West Florida to an NCAA Division 2 title in 2017, before moving on to Connecticut and Idaho. "I got to experience American football, a lot of talent. That's the way of life down there, is football. So, I was very fortunate to experience that and then work my way through college.
“But honestly, this is the first game I ever watched, is Canadian football. I grew up watching the Darian Durants, the Kevin Glenns, Mike Reilly. Those kind of guys are the quarterbacks I grew up watching. So, before I knew any American football, I knew Canadian football and my first love was this sport and I wanted to play here. So, it's just a dream come true to be here.”
Beaudry doesn't put too much emphasis on a quarterback's nationality.
“There's just a space for ballplayers, I don't think it matters who it is. I think if you can play ball, you can play ball,” he said. “That's all you ever want, is a chance to compete. Specifically, my whole career, for me, has been that way. I've gotten the opportunity to compete and go win a job. So, this isn't any different.”
In and out: Free agent DB Ed Gainey practised Monday after missing the opening of camp Sunday because of a missed flight. That still leaves RB James Wilder Jr. and free agent WR Kenny Lawler absent thanks to travel issues of their own ... QB Kai Locksley sat out Monday with bumps and bruises, while the Elks released Canadian DT Stefan Charles and signed six-year CFL veteran DT Ese Mrabure ... Canadian defensive tackles Cole Nelson and J-min Pelley are getting some work in at offensive line. “They both are going to play on both sides of the football because if they end up being a guy that can rotate on both sides of the ball, kind of like Eddie Steele did, it gives us a little bit of something ” ... Speaking of Steele, the 2015 Grey Cup champion announced on social media Monday his championship ring that had been stolen from the locked glove compartment of his car while busy moving into a new home had been recovered and returned.