The words sounded strange coming from Arland Bruce III, a man who played a significant role in the B.C. Lions going from warm beer to chilled champagne last season.
“To me, I still feel like I have to prove myself,” said the Lions’ slotback.
Come again? After 10 CFL seasons, over 10,000 receiving yards and 84 touchdowns, what’s to prove?
“Every year is different,” shrugged Bruce. “We can’t sit here and talk about what we did in our career when there is a new year in front of us.”
That explains a little of what makes Bruce tick. Yesterday might have been good, but there’s a chance tomorrow can be even better.
“I have to come in here and prove to myself and prove to this team I am still dedicated and last year wasn’t a fluke,” he said. “It’s more of an inner motivation that I want to bring to the table.”
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Lions quarterback Travis Lulay cocked his head and gave a moment’s thought when told what Bruce said.
“That’s great,” Lulay said finally. “That’s just speaking to the idea that every time you step on the field you want to prove yourself. If you believe you are a great player, you want to play great every time you step on the field.
“Arland is a guy who works hard. It’s good to have veteran leadership, guys pushing each other so we can feed off each other.”
The 34-year-old Bruce sometimes inhabits a little different world than the rest of us. He likes doing what he likes, and that sometimes clashes with the norm.
Some of his touchdown celebrations, like the time he laid down in the end zone in a mock tribute to the late Michael Jackson, have resulted in him getting into some trouble.
There’s also another side to Bruce. This winter he took the Grey Cup to a local senior’s home. He loves music and is involved with a record company based in Kansas City where he helps find new talent and does some song writing of his own. Bruce also took acting lessons in Vancouver during the off-season.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “It helped me work on my communication, my vocabulary. It was fun. I’m not done with that.”
Lions’ coach Mike Benevides likes Bruce’s eclectic interests.
“He’s very creative,” said Benevides.”I think it’s a positive thing.
“A lot of time people see football players as being dumb, boring, cookie-cutter muscle heads. Really they have personalities.”
The Lions were 1-5, and flittering with disaster, when Bruce was traded to B.C. from Hamilton last August in exchange for a third-round draft pick. With Bruce in the lineup the Lions were 10-2 and won the Grey Cup.
A lot of factors contributed to B.C. turning the season around. Lulay meshed with his receivers, the running game found traction and the defence jelled.
Acquiring the veteran Bruce, a sure-handed receiver capable of coming down with the ball in a crowd, then going somewhere with it afterwards, added a little more teeth to the Lions’ bite.
“I believe things happen for a reason,” said Bruce.”I was at the right place at the right time and I ended up being a champion.
“I always believe I am a champion. I just happened to win a championship on a team I didn’t start with.”
Bruce had 49 catches for 755 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 regular season games as a Lion. He had 82 receiving yards in the West Final win over Edmonton, and then had five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Grey Cup victory against Winnipeg.
The Lions rewarded Bruce with a contract extension.
“He’s only going to get better for us,” said Benevides.
Lulay said having a whole training camp will give Bruce a better understanding of the B.C. offence.
“Last year was kind of a cram course,” said Lulay.”We were teaching him little snippets along the way just so he could function. Now his understanding level is that much better. You can see that has allowed him to play fast.”
Bruce saw limited action in B.C.’s 44-10 exhibition win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Wednesday, making two catches for 24 yards. He came close to scoring a touchdown, laying out for a pass in the end zone only to have the ball tip off his fingers.
One change Bruce wants to make this season is to his name. Last year he began wearing Runako Reth on his practice jersey. In an African language the name translates to Handsome King. He’s like it printed on his game jersey.
“That wasn’t a joke,” Bruce said.”That wasn’t for show. That was for real. I did a lot of research on my heritage and history. My parents accept it.
“Hopefully the league will accept that and the coaches will understand and we can move forward.”
Only official names are allowed on CFL jerseys. For the exhibition game Bruce had Bruce III on his sweater.
Bruce’s choice in names isn’t an issue for Benevides.
“Whatever he wants to be called, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as he scores touchdowns,” said Benevides.”It doesn’t affect me either way.”
During a career that saw him play in Winnipeg, Toronto and Hamilton, Bruce has been a CFL all-star three times and a division all-star five times. Twice he’s been a Most Outstanding Player nominee.
Bruce is also one of those players with a best-before date. He sometimes can wear out his welcome.
Benevides believes Bruce can contribute this year.
“He’s only going to be better for us,” said the coach.
Bruce said he’s going to do what he’s done for every team he’s played for.
“I’m a winner,” he said.”I’m going to go out there and contribute.”
