Secondary education

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/06/2010 (5779 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He was the apprentice, the understudy willing to do anything to be in the production, but when the lights came on and the curtain went up, Brandon Stewart most often found himself playing the spectator.

It was, in short, his own hellish version of Groundhog Day — minus the happy ending.

"It was tough at first because we all think we’re good enough to play," said Stewart on Day 2 of Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp. "But all you can ever do in this game is be hungry, come to work every day and try to get better."

Stewart did all that and then some virtually every single day during the 2009 season. A defensive back by trade, he’d work with the defence and then jump in at receiver when asked. But on game night — save for five games as a reserve — Stewart would be on the sidelines in civvies playing the spectator while his compadres battled.

And that can be enough to drive even the most upbeat sort positively loopy.

"I would just hang out with the boys that were out there and just enjoy it," said Stewart. "I was still a part of the team. I went to work with them every day. They were celebrating and I’d be celebrating on the sideline with them. It’s always about the team with me. I’m all about the team and whatever I can do to help the team get better — last year I was playing offence and defence — I’ll do it to get the job done.

"You always try to remember this is a game. I’m blessed to be here. It’s an honour and you’ve got to think of that daily because there are a lot of guys, a lot of good people, who are at home and would love to be able to do what I’m doing.

"I have an opportunity to play and show what I can do to the coaching staff. Now I have to seize the moment."

It’s the same drill for every Blue Bombers wannabe in camp and especially for some of the new defensive backs drooling over a couple of openings in the secondary with Jonathan Hefney in Detroit and Lenny Walls in Edmonton. Stewart would kill to take over the halfback chores, but so would Clint Kent (the former Alouette), veteran Keyuo Craver who moves inside from corner and newcomers Alex Suber and Jason Tate.

"It’s a very tough position, very different than college last year," said Tate. "It’s up-tempo, very fast and we have a lot of installations (in the defence) so you’ve got to know your stuff. I learn something new every day. I learned there were 12 men on the field. I learned that you only need one foot in bounds (on a reception)… I’m learning slowly, but I like it."

A star for three years at Illinois State before being arrested and dismissed for violating team rules, Tate transferred to North Alabama last year, was a conference all-star and is now trying to extend his career. He had been working out in Orlando when his college coach called with a job offer from Ken Moll, the Bombers director of player personnel.

"And the next thing you know I’m on my way up here," said Tate. "I was always thinking that call will come and I’ve got to keep working out. I was trying to patient and not give up because I knew I still had football in me. One day it will be done with me but at this age — I just turned 23 — I knew I’ve got some left in me.

"You might not be done with football, but one day football is going to be done with you, so you’ve got to make the most out of it right now and worry about the other things later. I’m all football right now. I can always go back home and go back to school."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca