Mark Stephen
CFL.ca
In one of his first moves as a Calgary Stampeder, running back prospect Matt Walter demonstrated his ability to reverse field.
After first declaring he would spend the 2011 season playing out his career for the University of Calgary Dinos, he had a change of heart shortly after draft day. He soon-to-be business graduate told the Stampeders he was coming to their camp.
“It was the hardest decision of my life to weight all the pros and cons of school, football and work,” noted Walter who played his high school football at Calgary’s Bishop O’Byrne under 10-year CFL star Derek MacCready.
“It was a long night for me. I was probably up until 2 a.m. wrestling with this. But I ended up getting some information from my course advisor. My courses in the fall are night courses, so it actually made possible the prospect of playing with the Stampeders. I talked to Cenovus (Energy) and they are supportive of my decision.”
While Walter had some difficult decisions to sort out, there was no late tossing and turning for teammate Anthony Parker. He had every intention of attending camp with his drafting CFL team.
“I found out about 20 minutes before the draft what was going on,” explained Parker, “and sure enough it became official.”
The selection of both U of C stars set off a wave of excitement in Calgary. Parker, in particular, was the object of considerable media and public attention.
“I got a little bit of sleep (post-draft),” he smiled. “But not as much as I would have liked.”
The early selection of Parker by the Stampeders ended several months of questions surrounding Parker. An obvious talent, he struggled through a dreadful Vanier Cup game for the Dinos. That difficult game led to some pointed questions during team interviews.
“I got harassed a little by all the teams and had to answer for it,” he noted. “I showed teams that I have overcome it.”
Being drafted, however, and playing in the CFL are two different things.
Parker will have a chance to hit the field as soon as camp opens. With the retirement of Ryan Thelwell, there is an opening in the Stampeders receiving core. The third overall pick in the draft will duel with second year returnee John Forzani for that spot.
Ironically, both players are second generation Stampeders. Parker’s dad, Anthony, was a running back for the Stampeders in the 1990s while John’s father, Tom, is considered one of the greatest Stampeders ever and had his jersey retired at the end of his career.
As for Walter, he will have to take a different path to the field. His specialty is running back – normally a position reserved for American players. And the Stampeders have one of the best import running backs in Joffrey Reynolds.
Walter knows he will have to impress at every opportunity.
“I see myself as more of a tailback than a fullback,” he said. “But I know I will have to make the team on special teams. I fully intend to try and make the team, nothing else.”
The first round selection of Parker ended a 17-year selection drought between the U of Calgary and the Stampeders. The last Dino selected in the first round by the Stampeders was safety John Kalin – although he wasn’t the first player chosen by the Stampeders selected that year as salary-cap compliant teams were given an early bonus round pick. Calgary selected Vince Danielsen with that choice.
The last U of C player drafted so early was offensive lineman Ben Fairbrother who went second overall to Saskatchewan in 1997.
One thing the pair won’t lack is support. Both players grew up Stampeder fans, as did their families. Their arrival on the Canadian Football League stage will be popular and well received in Calgary.
