Rookie has Stamps’ red in his blood
Thomas Spoletini is just beginning to get comfortable in green, but he expects to feel right at home in his first CFL game at Mosaic Stadium.
The rookie prospect is slated to be in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ lineup for tonight’s pre-season tilt with the Calgary Stampeders, who just happen to be Spoletini’s home-town team. The 22-year-old Calgary native has deep roots with the Stamps, the former CFL team of his father Tom Spoletini (an offensive lineman) and uncle Tony Spoletini (a fullback).
“I was always a fan of the Stamps so it’ll be pretty cool,” offered the junior Spoletini. “I talked to my dad (on Tuesday); he’s coming up for the game and so is Tony. It’ll be cool to play in front of them against their old team.”
The family’s allegiance may lie with Calgary, but Spoletini insists he doesn’t have any mixed feelings about tonight’s opponent.
“I’m just happy to be here, whoever we’re playing,” said the University of Calgary product, a sixth-round pick in the 2013 Canadian draft. “When I got drafted I was ecstatic that someone wanted me. I’m just soaking up the experience.
“I’m happy to be wearing green.”
Spoletini has two years of university eligibility remaining, so he’ll rejoin the Dinos if he doesn’t immediately crack Saskatchewan’s roster. A linebacker by trade, Spoletini also has some experience playing safety, but his ticket into the CFL is to make an impact on special teams.
“I want to stick here,” said Spoletini, who made his preseason debut last Friday in Edmonton. “Hopefully they have a spot for me. I have to do well (today). I just have to fly around on special teams and make some plays.”
Spoletini may have the CFL in his blood but he’s still young and lacks firsthand pro experience. That’s where his father and uncle come into play.
“It’s good to have someone to lean on,” noted Spoletini. “Through training camp I’d call my dad at least once a day and tell him what’s going on and he had good advice.”
Spoletini’s father and uncle retired before he got a chance to see them play. However, they still had a tremendous influence on the youngster.
“I grew up looking up to them; it made me want to be a football player since I was little,” he explained. “My dad’s last year (in the CFL) was when I was born. I was really young but I grew up going to the games. We always had season tickets so I went to every game.”
Spoletini eventually followed the footsteps of his father and uncle to the U of C — and now he’s hoping to do the same in the CFL. That said, he’s carving his own path from a position standpoint.
“I’m on the right side of the ball,” he said with a laugh. “I always played defence — since I was in Grade 4 all the way up.”
At that time, Tom Sr. and Tony Spoletini were making the transition to life after football, joining forces with teammate Mike Palumbo in a business venture. The end result of their partnership was Spolumbo’s Fine Foods and Deli, which has become a Calgary landmark.
“I would help my dad in the summers after school but I’m not really in the deli (anymore),” explained Spoletini. “I’m focusing on football and in the off-season just trying to get my degree (in economics).”
Of a more immediate concern is his status with the Riders, who are giving Spoletini a chance to take the first steps in his CFL career. Tonight’s game might be his final chance — for this year, anyway — to make a lasting impression.
“There was a big learning curve at the beginning,” he said. “I think I’m finally starting to catch on. I would have liked to have caught on a bit earlier but I think the coaches have seen me get more comfortable in the system.”