Stamps’ Messam writing a powerful story
Pondering the question, he surveys the wall of cameras, the nest of microphones, the herd of reporters in front of him.
He can be gruff, but right now Jerome Messam appears at ease, even if he’s just been asked if he has something to prove.
His response, when it comes, features no eyerolling and little snark.
“I don’t know if there’s much proving to do,” Messam, smiling, says Monday morning at McMahon Stadium. “You guys haven’t been talking crap about me all year.” He is right. But if the press did tee off on him?
“It would just be worse for the rest of the league.”
As it is, CFL opponents paid a steep price in 2016, a career year for the balltoting behemoth of the Calgary Stampeders.
Messam pounded out 1,200 yards, propelling his 255-pound frame up the middle over and over again en route to the rushing title. Nobody in the land got more touches, 206 of them.
No surprise, he is the West Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian.
All of this is topped by a trip to the Grey Cup — the first of his seven-year career.
And? It’s being contested in his hometown.
The convergence of goodness is not lost on him.
“I’m very blessed for all of this to unfold like this,” says Messam. “Hopefully, I can win the award and win the game on Sunday in front of family and friends. It would just be an awesome feeling.
“You can’t write the script any better.”
But his story, at least at the start, was less feel good and more do better.
The professional arc began in B.C., where Messam signed as an undrafted commodity in May 2010. Despite a decent rookie showing — he dressed for 17 games — he was dealt to the Edmonton Eskimos. Two years later, even after being named Most Outstanding Canadian, he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes. Cut loose, Messam found a home in Saskatchewan in 2014.
Till, that is, he was shipped to Calgary late last season.
And, with countryman and feature back Jon Cornish retiring, the job was his.
He has not wasted this opportunity.
“It’s a fun place to come to work,” says Messam. “Guys believe in our coaches and they believe in us. I think it shows on the field. Speaking for the offence, Coach (Dave Dickenson) knows the ins and outs like a genius.”