New deal gives Crawford stability

“I didn’t feel truly like a veteran until a kid I’ve known back in my first couple years of pro, he was in high school... now he’s here,” laughed Crawford.

After returning from ACL surgery earlier than expected — he incredibly finished playing the 2017 game in which the knee injury happened — Crawford was thrilled to sign a new deal that gives him some stability. Hamilton let him use their facilities during his rehabilitation even though he wasn’t signed at the time.

“I was hoping, I feel like I’ve established myself there, hopefully I did enough coming back from injury, showing them I can still do what I do. But at this point in your career, you’re always wondering if coming back from an injury and being older, are they going to look for greener grass? They showed a lot of faith in me.”

McGough still has a year left on his first contract, and will go to the University of Calgary in the new year to continue finishing up his education. His next deal could look a lot different, especially with the collective bargaining agreement between the CFL and its players association set to expire in May.

For now, however, he’s not worried about any of that.

“When the season’s done you need to take a break mentally, spiritually, physically,” said McGough. “At least for myself, when it comes to football you’re really busy... to come home and just relax, be with my family is great.”

And to do something for a good cause? Even better.