National Post (National Edition)
Als’ Evans persistent on, off gridiron
Perhaps it was because his parents aren’t college-educated. Maybe it’s the five-year-old daughter at home who adores her father. Or the little brother that looks upon him as a role model and is determined to emulate Ciante Evans in the classroom, if not necessarily on the football field.
Or it’s an amalgam of all three.
There’s nothing unusual about a Canadian Football League player graduating from college. These guys are smart, many of them having graduated with degrees that will ensure their financial stability long after their playing careers are over.
What makes Evans’ story so unique is he returned to school — earning a degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska last year — well into his career with the Calgary Stampeders. In doing so, he became the first family member to accomplish this distinction.
“There were so many thoughts and emotions. I can still remember the day and what was going through my mind,” said Evans, a 26-yearold defensive back who signed with the Alouettes as a free agent last May. “They had to call my name twice. I couldn’t believe it. Even though you get that passing grade, it doesn’t hit you until you’re about to walk up there, grab your diploma and shake your chancellor’s hand and your dean’s hand.
“All these odds were stacked up against me the whole time and I was able to accomplish it. I was relieved.”
Today, that diploma sits in a cabinet at the Arlington, Texas, home of Evans’ father — the same man who implored his son to play for the Cornhuskers, the only school he officially visited and settled upon so he could be part of a nationally recognized program.
Evans spent four seasons at Nebraska, starting 33 of 47 games. Although he produced 143 tackles, 15 more for losses, had five interceptions and five sacks, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder wasn’t selected in the NFL draft. He attended the Chicago Bears’ rookie mini-camp in 2014, but wasn’t offered a contract, opting instead to come north and sign with Calgary.
A perennial West Division all-star over four seasons, Evans gained a reputation as one of the league’s elite cover corners. Many of his teammates think he’s the best cornerback in the CFL.
As Evans’ play began to blossom and his reputation grew, he also slowly emerged from his cocoon. Those who follow the Stamps closely said Evans was one of the quietest players in the dressing room his first two seasons. While he denied he’s introverted, it took Evans some time before he became comfortable, assuming
more of a leadership role.
“When you get to know me, that’s when I feel more comfortable,” Evans said. “I’ve had instances in my life where I trusted too many friends and it kind of came back to bite me. There was trust or believing in someone more than they believed in themselves.”
Evans is principled, and when he says something will get accomplished, he follows through. It takes time to earn his trust and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He said he treats people the way he wants to be treated.
“If you lie to me about something small, how can I trust you with something big?” he asked.
And so, when he finished his college career five classes short from graduating, Evans was determined to obtain his degree — even though it meant taking online courses throughout the summer and into the fall, at the height of the CFL regular season. He reached his goal over nine months in total.
“Time management,” he said with a hearty laugh, something that comes easily to the personable player. “Just focusing, not watching television. Coming home and getting into the books, studying. I was already in the (Calgary) system. It’s not like I was getting new plays. It was a tweak here and there based on fundamental coverages I knew through camp.
“I didn’t have to adjust to football. It was more me having to adjust to being in the books, making sure I had good study habits and was taking notes.”
Evans remembers travelling to Saskatchewan for a game, having an online exam due the night before the match — at precisely the time he was supposed to attend a team meeting. DeVone Claybrooks, the Stamps’ defensive coordinator at the time, excused Evans, knowing football would always be there, but completing his education was more paramount.
“I was able to graduate because of that,” said an appreciative Evans.
A free-agent last February, Evans signed with Salt Lake of the fledgling, and shortlived, Alliance of American Football. He played four games before joining the Als for training camp.
The move could have been considered surprising, considering the Stamps are the defending league champions and have played in the last three Grey Cups. But Evans liked the additions to Montreal’s secondary, and had no qualms with being moved inside, to strong-side halfback. He has 15 tackles and two interceptions through seven games.
“It took a lot of humility,” he admitted about the move. “You have to trust yourself and where you’re putting yourself. So far, so good.” hzurkowsky@postmedia.com Twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1