By: Justin Boone
Into The Great Wide Open
If Geoff Tisdale’s friends are looking for him this week, they won’t be able to find him.
Sure it’s bye week, but he isn’t back home with his family or on vacation somewhere tropical, and if you check his place in Hamilton you’ll only discover a growing stack of mail.
So where in the world is Geoff Tisdale?
“Coming from California, I’ve never been anywhere like this before,” joked the Ticats defensive back.
While on the phone with one of his friends back home he tried to explain his current situation, before he realized he wasn’t quite sure himself.
“I was trying my best, but I don’t think they believed me when I told them I was taking a trip to the woods,” he explained. “It’s really nice up here, and it’s something that I know none of them have ever seen before. But after growing up in the cit,y I don’t think they can believe that I’m out here.”
For the first couple days he and his teammates Nick Kordic and J.P. Bekasiak didn’t even know how to pronounce the name of the community. You can take a shot if you like, Ouje-Bougoumou.
Located in Northern Quebec, the Cree community is the site of this year’s True North Wellness Football Camp, one of a series of weeklong programs intended to empower native children through sports. The three Ticats joined their offensive coordinator Marcel Bellefeuille, who has taken an active role as the camp’s head coach.
“This is my second year, but I don’t think you ever really know what you’re getting into,” said Bellefeuille. “You have an idea, but once you get up here and actually get involved with the communities, you get a better perspective on the lifestyle, the needs and the difference you can make.”
That’s exactly the reaction Tisdale, a rookie among the guest coaches, had during the week.
“It took me awhile to realize where I was. It’s like something I would see on TV when I’m sitting t home on my couch, so it was a real culture shock to me. Absolutely shocking with a capital A, but the kids are real energetic and they like to run around like me, so I’m having a great time. They have a lot out here and they’re giving a lot, so t
here are plenty of positives for them to take away from this week.”
The Ins and Outs
(Storylines from around the CFL)
With limited internet in Ouje-Bougoumou, and it being bye week for the East, we’re taking a week off from the Ins and Outs. They’ll return next week in full force, just like we will, out of Northern Quebec and back in Hamilton in one piece.
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“Many of these kids have lost the ability to dream, and what we’re trying to do is bring that back to them.”
Gord Hudson, the director of Youth Healing service for True North Wellness, discussing the overall goal behind bringing Ticats players, cheerleaders, coaches and staff to Ouje-Bougoumou.
Follow The Leader
(Leaders from CFL and the Ticats)
CFL Rushing – MTL Avon Cobourne – 106 carries, 715 yards, 4 TDs
Ticats Rushing – HAM Jesse Lumsden – 63 carries, 443 yards, 5 TDs
CFL Passing – MTL Anthony Calvillo – 208/307, 2,648 yards, 20 TDs
Ticats Passing – HAM Casey Printers – 77/121, 987 yards
CFL Receiving – WPG Romby Bryant – 30 receptions, 649 yards, 3 TDs
Ticats Receiving – HAM Scott Mitchell – 19 receptions, 380 yards
CFL Tackling – HAM Markeith Knowlton, MTL T.J. Hill – 41 Tackles
Ticats Tackling – HAM Markeith Knowlton – 41 Tackles
CFL Interceptions – B.C. Barron Myles – 4 INTs
Ticats Interceptions – HAM Chris Thompson – 3 INTs
CFL Sacks – B.C. Lions Cameron Wake – 8 Sacks
Ticats Sacks – HAM Darrell Adams – 4 Sacks
Let me know your thoughts on the week by sending your e-mails, comments, or questions to jboone@ticats.ca
