Chick on the run on and off the field
Ex-Rider, current Tiger-Cat defensive lineman kept busy by his eight children
John Chick’s hectic life away from the football field hasn’t slowed him on it.
Chick has found a balance between his off-field challenges and his status as one of the CFL’s elite defensive ends with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Chick and his wife Catherine are the parents of eight children from one to 11 years of age. He’s also a Type I diabetic and controls the disease while wearing an insulin pump on and off the field.
“I have a saint for a wife, so that’s No. 1,’’ Chick said in advance of Saturday’s game at Mosaic Stadium against his former team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. “For me it has always been a grind. When we had one kid, it was tough. You always work hard and you get through it and somehow the Lord provides, but it doesn’t get easy.
“There is a lot of time and effort and pain on my part and especially on my wife’s part. At the end, I wouldn’t take away one second of any of the tough times we’ve had because it has made us who we are as a family.’’
Chick opened up recently about his family life through a series of YouTube videos. The posts run the gamut from Chick’s training program to inspiring speeches to feeding his large brood breakfast to Catherine taking them shopping at a local mall in the family’s supersized van.
“I have never been highly motivated to do social media or media in general. Then it hit me that this was a way to share the positive message that I have.’’
Chick, 34, is a shining example of what a player can accomplish on the field. He spent six seasons with the Riders, winning the CFL’s most outstanding defensive player in 2009 and sharing in Grey Cup championships in 2007 and 2013.
Last year, in his first season with the Tiger-Cats, he tied for second in the CFL with 14 sacks.
Chick and slotback Weston Dressler were released by the Riders on Jan. 14, 2016, for financial reasons. They both quickly landed on their feet. Dressler signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Chick with the Tiger-Cats.
Chick has moved on since being cut by the Riders. Sort of.
“I always forgive, but you don’t forget,’’ Chick said. “You remember the people because I believe in the do-right principle. It’s never revenge or spiteful or any of that kind of stuff. It’s forgiving all of those kinds of things. There is a right and there is a wrong and I try to do what’s right. I’m not a big fan of things that are done wrong.’’
Chick and the Tiger-Cats have faced the Riders twice since he was released and he has a combined six defensive tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
“There is definitely a fire,’’ Chick said. “I always believe that I put my best out there and I like to think I’m one of the best. When others don’t believe that, I like to prove them wrong.’’
The CFL schedule has worked out that the Riders are facing former teammates in three consecutive weeks. On June 22, quarterback Darian Durant led the Montreal Alouettes to a 17-16 win over the Riders in the regularseason opener for both teams.
On July 1, Dressler had four receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns as the Blue Bombers won 43-40 in double overtime.
“I was definitely proud of them,’’ Chick said. “I always have to do my part. I know (the Riders) are going to do all they can to slow me down, but that’s why football is the ultimate team sport.
“We have a great defence that is going to be ready. I’m going to do my part, but I’m bringing another 11 guys with me.’’
I like to think I’m one of the best. When others don’t believe that, I like to prove them wrong.
JOHN CHICK