Amid Als’ chaos, Cato reveals personal tragedy
It has been that kind of a week for Rakeem Cato. Kind of like it has been that kind of a season for the Alouettes. The team has dealt with an endless string of defeats, while the Montreal quarterback has had his share of distractions since being named the team’s starter.
And now, there’s one more facing Cato. On the eve of Friday night’s game against the Hamilton TigerCats at Tim Hortons Field, the second-year pro revealed a close friend of his was murdered this week in the Liberty City section of Miami, shot 15 times. Cato learned of the tragedy Wednesday, following practice.
Cato, only 24, vowed he’s ready to play and remains focused on defeating the Ticats. Tragedy and loss are nothing new for Cato, who reminded everyone he lost his mother at age 12, then went out and played in a scheduled Little League baseball game.
“I’m down there when I go home. I’m in that area. I know what’s going on. I sleep down there. Those are the things that go on down there,” said a passionate Cato, who played collegiately at Marshall.
“I’m blessed to make it out, go to school, play a game I truly love. That’s everyday life down there. I keep going hard for those guys down there, friends back home. I tell them when I talk to them that I love them and to keep going hard, taking one day at a time.
“He was a good dude. He just had a beautiful daughter. It was shocking. That was a tough pill to swallow.”
Cato has now been involved in a pair of maelstroms in as many weeks. On Tuesday, he had a disagreement with receiver Kenny Stafford during practice and then shoved Duron Carter, the Als’ leading receiver, moments later. A week ago Monday, during his first practice after being named Kevin Glenn’s replacement, Cato and Carter had another verbal altercation, although it was the quarterback exclusively who was doing the talking.
Cato then went out last Friday and completed 21 of 29 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown against British Columbia.
Montreal lost, but Cato managed the game well and didn’t turn the ball over.
If football and Marshall were his escape from inner-city life, Cato has never lost sight of the fact the game serves as his salvation.
“This is the game I chose. It chose me,” he said.
“This isn’t anything new. It’s been happening. I’m from a rough neighbourhood. I know what goes on. I’m ready to play ball. This is how I relieve everything. When you see me flying around with energy and having fun, this is how I relieve everything.”
Cato still hasn’t addressed Stafford and Carter over this week’s confrontation, emphatically stating he has no desire to do so. While they might remain teammates, Cato has made it clear the two have no role in his personal life.
“The thing with Kenny and D.C., that’s secondary. That’s life. It ain’t nothing,” Cato said.
Carter also said nothing has changed — or will — from his end. Everything is based on perception, he added. And, he admitted quite frankly, he loses no sleep over how people perceive him. If Carter has become a distraction on this team, as more than one player has stated to the Montreal Gazette, he said that’s their issue and problem.
And if Carter’s one of the selfish players to whom Cato referred to this week, he has no qualms with that either. As a receiver, he said he must be to remain effective and productive. “I’m selfish because I help the team win,” he said.
With a 3-8 record, there has been little winning this season. Indeed, since winning their opening game at Winnipeg, the Als have lost eight of 10. Heading into a bye week in the schedule, Montreal’s dangerously close to missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.