Herb Zurkowsky
The Montreal Gazette
The sheer power, finesse and skill that has made Concordia’s Cory Watson one of the leading receivers eligible for tomorrow’s Canadian Football League draft are indisputable – clearly evident in the black-and-white of statistics or the celluloid of highlight-reel tapes.
But the essence of what formed the man behind the player, the stark reality of a life he inherited, isn’t nearly as palpable, masked by his humility along with a warm and natural smile frequently flashed.
“It was tough enough to eat, and we may not have always had what we wanted,” the 26-year-old said during an interview this week. “But she made sure we got the things we needed.
“It was my responsibility as the big brother,” Watson added. “Babysitting or working through school. I helped out where I could. It wasn’t hard for me.”
Raised by a single mother, Watson is one of nine children and the second oldest. Born in Jamaica, the family immigrated to Montreal when he was 9; Watson’s grandfather and uncle were living here.
Raised mostly in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, the family moved five times, including once to St. Laurent, although Watson continued attending school in Pointe Claire. The shortest time they spent in one dwelling was a year; the longest between five and six years. He started working summers at age 16. Anything to help financially.
His uncle, Dave Spence, knows better than anyone the obstacles Watson and his family have endured and overcome. It was Spence who became the father figure in Watson’s life, mentoring him through life’s challenges while pushing him to succeed once Spence was hired in 2007 to coach the Stingers’ receivers.
“He has done a lot on his own,” Spence said succinctly.
Watson was a cricket and soccer player in Jamaica, not knowing quite what to make of football and basketball following his move. Or snow and Montreal’s harsh winters.
“I was stunned by it,” he said. “The only thing similar back home is hail. There was a little bit of snow on the grass, so I ran out barefoot the first time. My uncle closed the door and I was freezing.”
Spence was at Vanier College at the time; Watson slipped his uncle’s oversized helmet onto his head and watched tapes of a sport that, to him, seemed barbaric.
“Like watching knights in the Middle Ages,” he remembered. “I was surprised you were allowed to hit. That it was part of the game.”
A part Watson would soon come to relish. He played basketball, but was too aggressive, constantly running into foul trouble. Football seemed a more natural outlet at age 12. Watson started at quarterback before switching to tight end and finally receiver.
“One summer he grew and turned into a phenomenal athlete,” Spence said. “Right then and there I knew he’d be special.”
A three-time CEGEP all-star who followed Spence to Vanier, Watson might have played NCAA Division I football. Michigan State, Syracuse, Connecticut and South Carolina all expressed interest. But Watson failed biology in Secondary 3, the missed credit making him academically ineligible. Under the circumstances, Concordia was the most viable option in 2006.
“I knew coming out from CEGEP he was a tremendous athlete,” Stingers head coach Gerry McGrath said. “But it was a little frustrating that first year, getting him tied down to things. He was going too many different directions.
“I think Dave Spence did an outstanding job, kicking his butt, or I don’t know if he would have hung in there. After the second year was his defining moment. You could see his desire to play ball taking over. He became great in the third year, and outstanding the fourth. I don’t know if there was a better receiver than Cory last year in Canada.”
Watson admitted he struggled with time management, not to mention his course load as a general arts and science major. His grades have improved over time – his average being 2.63 – although he estimates he’s still a full year from graduating.
And none of it would have been possible without Spence’s intervention.
“Without Dave, I wouldn’t be playing ball and probably wouldn’t be a Stinger,” said Watson, who puts in a 30-hour week working as a merchandiser for an electronics outlet. “Those first few years, for me personally, my time management wasn’t good. I was juggling school, work, football, training and a bit of a social life. It was hard. Something had to give. My grades suffered and I was exhausted.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Watson was the Stingers’ leading receiver in both 2007 and ’08, but blossomed last season, catching 52 passes for 821 yards while scoring six touchdowns. He was first in Quebec, second overall in Canada, in receptions, receiving yards and yards per game, being named a second-team Canadian all-star.
Watson’s combination of size, body control and desire seem to indicate he’ll succeed as a pro. He has good hands, route-running ability and functional, if not blazing, speed. Plus he plays on special teams – the easiest way for a rookie to crack a CFL team’s roster.
TSN analyst Duane Forde rated him fourth overall among prospects last September, while the CFL amateur scouting bureau listed him sixth in December, although he slipped to 15th in the latest rankings following a marginal evaluation camp. Nonetheless, Watson’s expected to go in the first round tomorrow, no later than the second. Winnipeg or Saskatchewan appear most interested.
“I’m a little bit nervous and anxious,” Watson admitted. “My life’s going to change. Not knowing where I’ll be is a little nerve-wracking. I would hope to be in the CFL this season. Looking at the talent (available in the draft), I’d say ‘why not?’ For what I bring, I believe I’m the best receiver. Playing pro would be my boyhood dream.”
And it’s one that’ll be fulfilled, according to McGrath: “Whichever team drafts him isn’t going to be disappointed.”
