Adam Gagnon
Q: The Ticats are hosting the Edmonton Eskimos this Friday at Ivor Wynne. You caught a season-high six balls against the green and gold back in week two. Is this a match up you’re looking forward to?
DS: It’s another game for us. They beat us earlier in the season, so part of it is about revenge and getting them back. But the most important thing for us on Friday is getting the win.
Q: After studying game tape and reflecting on that early season loss to the Eskes, what are you expecting this time around from an offensive perspective?
DS: When we played Edmonton last time I don’t think our offence was clicking yet. Now our offence is rolling. We had a little speed bump last week in Montreal, but it will get fixed this week after watching some film and getting back on the practice field. We’ll get back on track.
Q: You’ve been deadly in the red zone this year, catching six out of your seven touchdowns from inside the twenty-yard line. Is this a role you’ve wanted to take on? And why are you so effective when you get deep into enemy territory?
DS: I’ve tried to communicate with the coaches over the last couple of years to use me more in the red zone. Given the opportunity, I’m going to try and make the most of it. Kevin and I have built that relationship over the past couple of years, that understanding, and it’s been working out for us.
Q: You’ve been telling some corny jokes to the TSN sideline cameras after your touchdowns lately. Is this your own twist on the classic sideline celebration?
DS: (Laughs). I’m just trying to have some fun with it. People celebrate and do different things for the cameras. I’ve just been trying to mix it up a little bit the past couple of weeks with the stupid jokes, but it’s been going well.
Q: Who is the funniest Tiger-Cat player?
DS: I honestly think Peter Dyakowski is the funniest guy on our team. Just because he’s a big, little kid.
Q: You are a member of the prestigious ‘Canadian Row’ in the Ticats locker room. Who else sits on the row with you?
DS: Auggie and myself have been there for a while. The other guys kind of came in by default. Ryan Hinds, Matt Carter and Marc Beswick. It’s something that has been a tradition here for a while and I’m glad to be a part of it.
Q: You’re surrounded by a youthful and talented crop of Tiger-Cat receivers. Is being a mentor to these young pass catchers something you embrace?
DS: I’ll do anything I can do to help out these young guys to make them better. And it’s not even necessarily just to make them better. It’s about the whole team being better. Understanding different coverages. Understanding different situations. If I can help out a little bit and tell them something that’s going to help them out, whatever it is, I’ll always help. They are very explosive and very exciting to watch.
Q: You’ve made some highlight reel grabs this year, living up to your nickname, Sticky Stala. Have you always had soft hands naturally, or is that something that you’ve worked on over the years? And where did the name ‘Sticky’ originate?
DS: Actually my good hands are one of the things I’ve always had growing up. One of my buddies, Mike Carubba, noticed how good my hands were playing touch football and told me I should play receiver. As for the nickname, it actually came from Jeremaine Copeland when we were playing back in Montreal. He started calling me that when I was catching everything.
Q: You’re a Hamilton guy, playing football in your hometown. Not too many professional athletes get to experience that feeling. What is it like?
DS: I think this is the best place to play. Growing up here, running around in high school playing games at Ivor Wynne. Now to be able to put on a Ticats uniform and come out here and have people wearing your jersey in the stadium; it means a lot. It’s been a lot of fun the past couple of years here in Hamilton.
Q: You’re very active in the community with your ‘Stala’s Stars’ and ‘Catches 4 Kids’ programs, two community / charitable initiatives that you’re passionate about. Why is getting involved in the community so important to you?
DS: Playing in the CFL for nine years, you understand that our league is fan driven. You have to be out in the community. The fans recognize you on the streets, so you try and do as much as you can. I’m from this city, so I think it’s very important for me to get out into the community and try and help some of these kids and say two or three things to them and maybe change their lives a bit by offering some advice. The programs have been a lot of fun and we’ve reached out to a lot of kids in Hamilton in the process.
