Rookie shines on CFL, music stages
Impressive running back can also rap, dropping his first mixtape in June
I just wanted to finally see if I could put something out. I’m happy about it, but I’m focused on football.
It’s been a month of debuts for Don Jackson.
Over the past four weeks, the Calgary Stampeders rookie has burst onto the CFL scene at running back. His performances through three games have been exceptional for a guy still getting used to the Canadian game, and he has the third-most rushing yards of anyone in the league.
On its own, that would make the past month notable.
But on Sunday night, Jackson fulfilled another dream when he dropped his first mixtape, a 10-song collaboration with his childhood friend and producer Shaheed.
“We worked on it for a long time, for real, over the last six or seven months,” Jackson said. “I just wanted to finally see if I could put something out. I’m happy about it, but I’m focused on football.”
The project, called Jack of All Trades, has a distinctly West Coast vibe, which makes sense, considering Jackson was born and raised in Sacramento, California.
But on songs like New York Flow, Jackson shows he’s taking influence from artists who hail from the East Coast, as well.
Jackson lists artists such as Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole as influences, as well as legends such as Nipsey Hussle.
“(Rapping) has been my thing since I was probably 16, but I never had the confidence or maybe the (tools) to make it happen,” Jackson said. “It’s something (Jackson and his producer, Shaheed) have been talking about for a long time, and we finally got it done.”
More than anything, Jackson seems excited to have released the project for the world to consume, but he insisted he is fully focused on developing as a football player and helping the Stampeders.
The 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Stamps through three games and has certainly made the team’s decision to allow Jerome Messam to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in free agency look like a smart one.
Jackson has ripped off 294 yards on 36 rushes and is averaging 8.17 yards per carry. He also has two touchdowns.
The Stampeders were confident in training camp that whoever won the starting running back job would be able to rush for 1,000 yards this season, and Jackson is on track to crack that milestone at some point mid-season.
HE’S READY
Marken Michel is ready to return.
The Stampeders wide receiver has been out since Week 1 with an injury, but was close to returning when the Stamps hosted the Ottawa Redblacks before the byeweek.
That was largely precautionary, and Michel is almost certain to be in Thursday’s lineup.
“Marken’s available,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “We’re trying to figure that out because of our ratios and all that, but he’s available. He looked pretty good in practice and it’s exciting to have him back on the field.”
It’s a little hard to know how the Stampeders are going to line up on offence against the Redblacks this week, largely because Canadian offensive lineman Spencer Wilson may not be available.
American Justin Renfrow would seem to be the most likely replacement should Wilson not be able to play, which might force a little mixing and matching.
But if Michel is available, fans will get a first look at the team’s high-powered receiving group when they’re fully healthy.
When Michel played in Week 1, Lemar Durant wasn’t in the lineup and Eric Rogers wasn’t fully fit. If everyone’s ready to go and feeling close to 100 per cent, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is going to have a scary number of weapons at his disposal.
CUT THEM OUT
While the Stampeders pulled off a 24-14 win over the Redblacks when the teams met June 28, it was by no means a perfect performance from the home team at McMahon Stadium.
As they prepare to face off in Ottawa, there’s been a heavy emphasis on staying disciplined during Stampeders practices and meetings this week.
In their first meeting, the Stamps took 14 penalties for 150 yards, after all, and they know they can’t afford to have that happen again.
“Just a lot of (the work this week) has to do with penalties and just focusing,” Dickenson said.
“We really looked poor in our motions and our focus. We had some poise penalties where we lost our poise and we certainly weren’t adjusting to snap counts.
“Practice is one thing, (but in a game) if you make a mistake you’ve got to reload. You can’t keep making the same mistake.”