July 8, 2010

Faibish: Sandro set to face former team

Bert Faibish
CFL.ca

A lot will be made out of the fact that this Saturday Sandro DeAngelis will take the field against his former team for the first time since arriving in Hamilton this off-season.

The person that is probably least concerned with all of that talk is Sandro.

“It’s you against the ball and the uprights, it doesn’t matter who I’m lining up against, whether it’s old friends or not,” said DeAngelis.

“I wish I had a deep philosophical answer to give but in this business, we all know what the deal is.  Players get traded, players retire and players get released,” he added.

Sandro does still stay in contact with some of his old friends from Calgary but it won’t have any impact come game time.

“You always remain friends with people but there’s really no extra emotion, it’s the same as any other game,” he said.

The battery he formed with his long-snapper and holder has provided him with some life-long relationships.

“Randy Chevrier my long-snapper was a great friend and somebody that I consider a friend for life,” said DeAngelis.  “I still talk to many of the guys and I’m sure after the game we’ll go out and grab a bite to eat or something but during the game, it’s all about football,” he said.

Obviously, Sandro has many fond memories from his time with the Stampeders, but one in particular he will never forget.

“The Grey Cup was truly one of the most special nights of my life,” he said.

“As a Canadian kid you grow up watching the game and watching the Mounties bring the cup out to the field.”

“Before my son was born it was the greatest moment of my life,” said DeAngelis.

DeAngelis played a key part in the game and was named the Grey Cup’s Outstanding Canadian, booting a 50-yard field goal with 4:12 remaining to put Calgary ahead for good.

“Its fun playing a role in a game like that and I’m just fortunate the bounces and breaks went my way that night,” he said.

Now that he’s had a chance to adjust to life with a new team, the newness of the entire situation is beginning to wear off.

“It was funny when I first got here, putting on new colours, but quite honestly, now I’m a Tiger-Cat and there’s nowhere I’d rather be,” said DeAngelis.