HUGHES LIKING VIBE ON THIS RIDERS SQUAD
On Feb. 2, the Calgary Stampeders traded Charleston Hughes to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for draft picks. A few hours later, the Roughriders acquired Hughes for quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. Hughes, who has led the CFL in sacks the past two seasons, spoke to the Leader-Post’s Murray McCormick about a variety of topics.
Charleston Hughes is a largerthan-life character.
That was evident during a question-and-answer session with the former Calgary Stampeders defensive end at Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.
Hughes laughed, joked and flashed his trademark big smile while responding to all of the questions.
Q Is there a question that you would ask yourself ?
A The question I would ask myself is: “Charleston, where did you get your name from?’’ Q Charleston, where did you get your name from?
A My name wasn’t supposed to be Charleston. My mom wanted to name me after her favourite actor, which was Charlton Heston. Then the hospital messed up on my birth certificate, wrote down Charleston, and it stuck.
Q Why don’t you do the Charleston for your sack dance?
A It’s hard to do it with cleats. It takes a lot of twisting with the ankles and the knees and you can’t rotate like that on turf with cleats on.
Q What was your favourite memory of being a Tiger-Cat (for a few hours)?
A It was one phone call from the general manager (Eric Tillman) and I never head from him again. (The day) was all over the place, but that happens. I have considered getting a 39 Hamilton jersey just to throw one on the wall for giggles.
Q What’s it like being the new guy on the Riders?
A It’s not any different, because everyone knew who I was when I came in here. I still have the same prestige and everyone knows they can ask me whatever and I will tell them the ins and outs of how I got to be the way I am. I’ve been talking to some of the younger guys and I’ve just been helping any way that I can with pass rush stuff and getting off the ball.
Q What is it like to be a veteran at training camp?
A It’s a struggle because you’ve been through multiple camps before. For me, all of them have kind of been the same. Then you go to another team and it’s different and it’s not the same anymore. It takes some adjusting and getting used to. I have benefited that way as far as training camp for a veteran. You know what to expect and you know you will have to work hard. You also know that mentally you have to push to get through it.
Q What do you like about this team?
A They work hard. The energy is there to win a championship. The harder you work, the harder you practise, the more it translates into the game.
Q Is it a big difference going from Calgary to Saskatchewan?
A It’s a huge difference. (Regina) is smaller. The fans are way more supportive. It’s just being here in general and I like it.
Q How would you compare McMahon Stadium and Mosaic Stadium?
A There is no comparison, because Mosaic is way better. (Mosaic) has a way bigger atmosphere and it’s louder. It’s a sea of green and they don’t call it that for no reason. Everybody shows up for the game and then they stay to the end, whether it’s win or a loss. That’s a wonderful thing.
Q What’s the difference between a Stampeders training camp and a Roughriders training camp?
A There is more hard work and the passion to just come out and practise. I feel like we were practising and working hard (in Calgary), but we weren’t working with as much intensity as we are here.
Q If you were the commissioner of the CFL for a day, what would you do?
A I would make sure that every player and every team has Tim Hortons doughnuts every day. I like Timbits.
Q You have two Grey Cup rings from your days with the Stampeders. Where are they now?
A They are both in the dorms. They are locked and loaded and ready to be worn every once in a while for special occasions. I don’t wear them that much, because I’m always working on the next ring and the next ring and the next one.
Q What do you like about playing defence?
A I like the tenacity. I like the fact that I can show up on any given play and be detrimental to the offence. I love that, and the intensity.
Q What is a more important trait on defence — chemistry or talent?
A Chemistry is Number 1. You can have all of the talent in the world, but if you don’t have chemistry among your teammates, then it’s hard to bond and win games.
Q How many sacks will the Riders have this season?
A Number 1 in the league, however many that is.
Q Who is the most influential person in your life?
A That would be my daughter (seven-year-old Kylie). She loves sports and has been bred around football and loves it. She even wants to play football and I’m like, ‘Settle, down girl.’ She’s a great inspiration. Q
If you weren’t a football player, what would you do?
A I would be a scout. The fact I can scout, see talent and see something in a player to know that they can perform at any given time, that’s my passion and that’s how I was found. It’s a great feeling to know that someone found someone special.
Q Has a reporter ever asked you something that you couldn’t answer?
A Never. I can answer anything at any given time.