GLENN WILLING TO WAIT
Hall call from alma mater
Kevin Glenn’s longevity as a CFL quarterback is delaying his induction into the Illinois State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Illinois State Redbirds have already voted to enshrine the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback. However, Glenn’s alma mater is waiting for him to retire or to be on a bye week so he can be formally inducted at an October ceremony.
“For the past three or four years I’ve gotten calls, but it probably won’t happen because I won’t stop playing,” Glenn said Tuesday. “I think those guys know that it will eventually happen. We have a situation where we have ex-players wondering why (Glenn isn’t in the Hall of Fame). It’s the fact that I haven’t stopped playing.”
The scheduling of the induction ceremony conflicts with Glenn’s job in the CFL. A 17-year pro, he’s the league’s oldest player.
“I want to do it the right way,” said Glenn, 38. “I don’t want to leave, go down there for one day, get inducted, and then I have to fly back for a game. I want to do it right, so my family can enjoy it and go down for the whole celebration. It will be there. I don’t think Illinois State is going anywhere and I’m not, either.”
Glenn set 25 school records during four seasons with Illinois State. He completed 645 of 1,110 passes for 8,032 yards and 61 touchdowns and also rushed 247 times for 490 yards and eight TDs.
The school occupies a special place in Glenn’s heart for providing him with an opportunity to play quarterback.
“When I was coming out of high school, everyone told me that I wouldn’t be able to play college football,” the 5-foot-10 Glenn said. “To do what I did in college and now being recognized, and maybe being inducted into their Hall of Fame, is a big accomplishment. It’s a story to tell to younger kids about not letting anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. If you put your mind to it, you can.”
Glenn carried that philosophy into the CFL where his career started in 2001 with the Roughriders. Since then, he’s played for the Riders (three stints), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (twice), B.C. Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders.
He’s 163 yards shy of becoming the seventh quarterback in CFL history to hit the 50,000 career milestone.
“It’s a big accomplishment,’’ said Glenn, who needs to 699 yards to move past Riders legend Ron Lancaster and into sixth in all-time passing yardage. “When it happens, it will probably hit me more than talking about it. I don’t go to bed or go into a game worrying about it. If we’re successful, it’s going to happen.”
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, feels that Glenn’s pursuit of 50,000 passing yards recognizes the excellence of his career.
“Kevin has been around this league a long time,’’ Jones said. “He has not only been a great pro, but he’s also been a great person, or he wouldn’t have lasted that long . ... Kevin has done everything that has been asked of him everywhere he’s been and he continues to prove people wrong.”
Glenn and the Riders carry a 1-2 record into Saturday’s game in Calgary against the Stampeders. He’s tied for second in the league in touchdown passes (seven) and completion percentage (72.8) and is fourth in passing yards (1,055), even though the Riders have had a bye week.
“He has played well on just about every team that he has been on.” said Riders slotback Bakari Grant.