Glenn’s calm professionalism beneficial to the Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first post-practice routine at Mosaic Stadium ($278-million version) included some Bridgejumping.
As Kevin Glenn held court with local media carnivores on Monday, Brandon Bridge and fellow pivot Marquise Williams stood behind the video cameras and gestured, jumped and waved, hoping to distract the 38-year-old CFL veteran while he was being interviewed. The unflappable Glenn didn’t even blink or flinch.
“You see the guys around there trying to get me to laugh,” he said, managing a chuckle while discussing the futile efforts of Bridge and Williams, who eventually gave up. “I’m a 17-year vet. They don’t know what they’re dealing with right now.”
Chris Jones, however, knows precisely what he is getting.
“He’s real calm,’’ said Jones, the Roughriders’ head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations. “Going to the huddle, he’ll acknowledge the coach as he walks onto the field. Very few guys have that kind of poise and relaxation in the game.
“(Toronto Argonauts quarterback) Ricky Ray will do that type of thing — just kind of look over and acknowledge you. The game’s not too big for (Glenn). When you put him under centre, he produces.”
For verification, peruse the numbers. Glenn is seventh on the CFL’s all-time passing-yardage list, with 48,782 — 1,753 fewer than Ron Lancaster.
“It’s always cool, especially being in this market and being on this team, to get those type of numbers to pass that guy,” Glenn said. “Lancaster was a great guy.”
Glenn would love to emulate Lancaster, who was 38 when he was named the CFL’s most outstanding player in 1976. A quarter-century later, Glenn arrived in Regina and soon learned all about the legendary Little General.
“You find out who he is very quickly when you come here,” Glenn said. “Guys like him and Kent Austin, they were up on posters outside (Taylor Field). You take note of it. But at that particular time, I never thought that I would be still here playing and maybe surpassing him one day as far as yards are concerned.”
When Glenn began his first of three stints with the Roughriders, he was a backup to Marvin Graves. Two years later, Glenn and another Hall of Fame-worthy passer — Henry Burris — were behind Nealon Greene on the depth chart. That one is still a forehead-slapper, all these years later. Given an opportunity to become a full-time starter with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2004, Glenn quickly demonstrated that he was a bona fide CFL signal-caller.
At 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, he is not an imposing specimen. His passes do not leave a vapour trail or inspire awe. But, in his own way, Glenn inspires everyone around him. He is a consummate, exemplary professional.
Even in situations where another quarterback has a stronger arm or a bigger name (see: Young, Vince), Glenn never makes waves — only friends.
“I’ve always been a team guy,’’ Glenn said. “Whatever I need to do to help the team, that’s what’s going to happen.”
And that’s what the Riders need as another season looms.