Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
At just 24 years old, Tiger-Cats receiver Greg Ellingson is right around the age that many football players make their professional debuts. Instead, Ellingson has already been a member of five professional football franchises, including two in both the Arena Football League and National Football League.
His journey into Hamilton has been anything but short, and it certainly hasn’t been easy.
“It’s been tough, no doubt,” Ellingson said of his frequent moves; from Jacksonville to New Orleans, to Tampa Bay, and finally into Hamilton. But always one to remain upbeat, Ellingson has found a silver-lining in his experiences thus far.
“It has definitely paid off. It’s made me stronger, and made me want that success more,” he said. “Coming into Hamilton, I wasn’t as nervous (for camp) because it wasn’t my first time, so I just came in thinking whatever happens happens, and I’m going to give it my all.”
Asked about his experience playing in three different leagues in as many years, Ellingson was quick to dismiss the difficulties of adjusting to the rule changes and different styles of play.
“At the end of the day football is football. Little things change like the team, the location, maybe the field size a little bit, but at the end of the day you just go out there and when you have the opportunity to make plays you have to make them.”
And making plays is certainly what Ellingson has done so far for the Tiger-Cats. A wildcard in rookie camp tasked with breaking into a receiving corps full of veteran talent, he impressed coaches so much with his hands and route-running that he’s now taking reps with the first-team offence.
But the Tampa, Florida native’s success hasn’t been limited to the practice field. Ellingson caught two passes in each of the Tiger-Cats preseason games, including a 58 yard touchdown from starting quarterback Henry Burris in the team’s first game at Alumni Stadium. Ellingson continued his stellar play into the regular season as well, and ranked second among Tiger-Cats receivers with six catches for 120 yards in last Friday’s season opener against the Argonauts.
Asked about his success thus far, Ellingson was quick to defer the credit to the new offensive system under coordinator Tommy Condell.
“Our offence is designed to spread the ball around and for a lot of guys to get opportunities,” he said. “It’s just happened that the ball has come to me a bit more, and I’ve been making the best of those chances.”
But quarterback Henry Burris was far more willing to give Ellingson the credit for his performances this season, praising his tireless work ethic.
“Greg works hard. He’s come in here, put in the effort, and he takes coaching very well,” said Burris. “He understands the fact that when you come out on the field, whether it’s a practice or a game, you’ve got to play at the same speed.”
Burris also praised Ellingson’s playmaking ability and football sense.
“He runs great routes, he’s given people a lot of trouble on man coverage,” he said. “If we have the opportunity to get him the ball in those situations, I’m very confident that he’s going to get open and make a play, so I’ve been throwing up the ball and giving him a chance on it, and he’s responded.”
