Stamp receiver dives into financial world
Mcdaniel setting himself up for life after football
Being the savvy veteran he is, Marquay McDaniel is already setting himself up for the future.
A business major at Hampton University, the 28-year-old Calgary Stampeders receiver recently dove into the world of financial planning and advising in the off-season.
“I’m really just starting to get into it,” explained the native of Virginia Beach, Va. “There’s definitely a lot of information I’ve learned and I’m just trying to give it to other people.
“Once I got introduced to it, I fell in love with it. Information is great. I’m hoping I can give it to the teammates out here, just little things that I didn’t know about. Things my parents didn’t even know about so I helped them too.”
At 28, McDaniel still obviously has a lot of years ahead of him in the Canadian Football League if he wants them.
But, given the nature of the sport and the toll it takes on the human body, you never know when your last catch is really your last.
“The funny thing is, I never knew anything about finances,” McDaniel said. “There’s a lot of stuff I didn’t know and I need to start saving some money anyway for retirement.
“I’m definitely setting myself up for life after football. You never know when it’s going to be over.”
And briefly, last season, he had a taste of life without football when he was released from Hamilton Tigers Cats where he’d started his Canadian Football League career in 2009.
The news stung, especially after dressing for all 18 games his rookie season and spending 2010 as a fulltime starter, finishing second on the club in receiving yardage (998).
But, after a few moments of uncertainty, McDaniel joined the Stampeders practice roster for the last nine weeks of the 2011 season.
He familiarized himself with the other receivers, the playbook, and has stayed patient waiting for his chance. “I had a chip on my shoulder,” said the five-foot-10, 205-pounder who signed with the Denver Broncos back in 2007 and spent some time on their practice roster. “I’ve played in this league before and I want to get back out there.
“It’s kind of tough being on the practice squad after you’ve played two years. But, hey, that’s how football goes sometimes. I’d rather be here than at home.”
On top of learning about stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in the off-season, he also made a point of learning the Stampeders’ playbook inside and out. And it quickly paid off. In Friday’s exhibition win over the Edmonton Eskimos, McDaniel was clutch in catching a touchdown from quarterback Brad Sinopoli and a two-point conversion late in the game.
Clearly, he’s found a comfort-zone. “I think that goes back from being here last year,” McDaniel said. “I kind of heard the terminology of the offence. Once camp started, I got comfortable and knew what I was doing and where I was supposed to be.
“Pre-season, is more like executing and adjusting to the defence. Once you do that and you’re comfortable with the play-calling, everything else should take care of itself.”
And, so far, he’s received positive reviews from head coach and general manager John Hufnagel.
“No. 1, he’s a veteran receiver,” he said. “And he’s done a good job out there. He works hard, he knows the assignments, he’s catching the ball well. “He’s right in the mix.” Kevin Glenn can understand why. McDaniel was one of the receivers the veteran quarterback relied on when the two became Hamilton Tiger-Cats together in 2009. Until McDaniel was released, they spent three seasons mixing it up.
“I’ve always noticed that he’s a great teammate,” Glenn said. “He doesn’t complain about not getting the ball. If you ask him to block, he’s there to block.
“Whatever you put on his plate, he’s going to eat. That’s the type of guy he is.”
Glenn figures he’ll shine under McMahon Stadium lights with the receiving corps in Calgary. “He’s been through some tough times,” he said. “He started two years straight, an 1,000-yard receiver, and was released. . . .”
However, McDaniel is not done yet. McDaniel is still proving himself and feels a certain amount of pressure given the Stampeders’ talented receiving corps with the likes of Romby Bryant, Johnny Forzani, Jabari Arthur, and Ken-Yon Rambo. “Definitely,” he said. “I definitely have to make the most of my opportunities — I’ve heard that since high school.
“I’m just making sure that when my number’s called, I’m ready, trying to catch everything, trying to get open, and trying to execute, and everything else will take care of itself.”
You never
know when it’s going to be
over. STAMPEDER MARQUAY MCDANIEL