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What does an unsung hero do when he’s too sung? Sing someone else’s praises, of course.
Billy Parker was in fine form after winning his first CFL East All-Star accolade.
“The heroes of this defence really are guys like (Alan-Michael) Cash and (Moton) Hopkins and (Michael) Klassen , those interior linemen taking on double-teams,” says the five-year veteran.
“When you have a blitzing defence, D-linemen can’t really work moves,” says the 32-year old halfback from Mechanicsville, Virginia.
“Once they take their gap, if they get blocked, that’s what it is. Them freezing and taking up their gaps and being disciplined is what allows our linebackers to get the glory.”
“They’re the heroes. If they play in a selfish way then nothing would work.”
| Eastern Semi-Final Playoff Centre |
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The 2013 Eastern Semi-Final matchup is set as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game. |
Nothing selfish. That may as well be written over Parker’s locker stall. He’s never scored a defensive touchdown in Canada and he’s never had more than three interceptions in a season.
Truth is Parker gets All-Star status the old-fashioned way: He earned it in a year when he in fact matched his career low for picks with just one.
“I think Billy Parker would be a very good coach if that’s what he wants to go into,” said head coach and GM Jim Popp.
“Both his parents are teachers or have been superintendents in the school system and high level academic people and that’s the type of player he is…a very high academic guy.”
Parker is smart enough to know that tackle totals for a CFL DB can be a kiss of death; a warning sign QBs are picking on you.
Parker has increased his body count each year he’s been in the league to a career high 57 in 2013, yet is heralded as the steadiest and most reliable of the Alouette ballhawks.
Canadian football may have the longest, widest field but It’s a small football world. Parker, in his first off-season, was coaching with a lower-level indoor football team in the Richmond, Virginia area.
“It’s funny,” Popp says with a smile.
“We were recruiting a guy even a year before who now starts for us, Alan-Michael Cash, who actually played on that team.”
“So I’m talking to Billy about Cash and he says ‘that guy plays for the team I’m coaching’. Here they are starting on the same team, so it’s a small world sometimes.”
A small world, even for a big play guy from a small school. Parker, who registered interceptions in each of the back-to-back Grey Cup victories of 2009-10, played college football at William & Mary, a campus that laid the foundations for legendary sideline bosses like Lou Holtz and Alouette coaching icon Marv Levy.
“I know I can’t play football forever,” Parker realizes. “I’ve done some off-season preparation, but have I actually put a lot of thought into what I want to do? I just love football. I love being around it, love looking at it.”
“I know in my life coaches have been such an influential part of it. When I have time I try to give back as much as I can and I love doing that. It makes me feel good and I get a lot from it.”
“I love being around teams, around guys working together trying to accomplish a goal. I’m focused now on playing and being the best I can.”
Popp calls Parker “Steady Eddie” and says he wins battles with his intelligence as much as his athletic ability. The solid six-foot, 195-pounder can jam anyonw off a route.
“He’s a unique guy and historically has made big plays in the biggest games,” says Popp, who has always worked the Virginia and the Carolinas as his home turf in scouting wars. “He’s fun to have around.”
“Fun” especially in the playoffs is not a word many people may have associated with the Alouettes earlier this season. “Embarrassing” is the word Anthony Calvillo used before the firing of rookie head coach Dan Hawkins.
Billy is wise enough to know it’s not how you start, but how you finish. He had an interception in his first CFL playoff game five years ago, but has suffered the sting of defeat each of the last two years after running the table his first two Grey Cup Playoff runs.
“We talked about being that November team even when it looked from the outside like we were in trouble,” says Parker.
“(Arland Bruce’s) locker is right next to mine and I tell you what, he’s been a great addition to our room. I consider myself to be a hard worker like Chip Cox, but I picked up so many things from him.”
I think we were 4-7 (they’d slide even deeper to 4-8) and we talked as a team. We felt like we were so close.”
“We felt like it’s going to be a great story to tell, to share with people. That’s one of the things Coach Trestman told us after 2009 – share your story.
“I think if we do what we’re supposed to do, take care of this three-game winning streak it is going to be a great story of perseverance and staying together, working hard, not giving up and leaning on eachother.”
“It’s going to be a great story.”
Now that he’s a first-time CFL All-Star, maybe more people will listen.
