THE CANADIAN PRESS
Maurice Price didn’t want to leave.
The lanky wide receiver was like a sponge soaking up the excitement and joy after the Calgary Stampeders defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 in Sunday’s Grey Cup at BC Place Stadium. This CFL season was a rollercoaster ride for Price, but celebrating the win with his teammates made each twist and turn worth the effort.
“This means everything,” said the 29-year-old from Orlando, Fla.
“It feels good. It feels 10 times greater than what I thought it would feel like. I don’t want to leave the field right now because I don’t want this moment to end.”
Price didn’t dress for the Stampeders’ Western Final victory over the Edmonton Eskimos last week. He was given the nod to play in the championship and proved the coaching staff made the correct decision, making five catches for 65 yards.
“I really don’t think I had anything to prove,” said Price. “I just had to come out and do what I have been since I got here.”
“This year was kind of an up-and-down year. Just to have this moment makes everything that happened before this not even relevant anymore.”
The six-foot-one, 206-pound Price separated his left shoulder late in the second quarter. He returned to start the third quarter and managed to make a couple more grabs — one for 19 yards — before leaving the game with an ankle injury.
Several of Price’s catches came off broken plays. He was able to get open when quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was scrambling and looking for a receiver.
“In the first half a lot of plays broke down,” said Price. “He found guys down field on scramble plays which kept the drive going. That’s a backbreaker for defences.”
Price was fined by the league early in the year for making “inappropriate negative comments” on social media towards then-St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam and openly gay professional athletes.
He had 102 receiving yards in the opening game of the season but suffered a broken hand and missed the next seven. An inconsistent year ended with him making 34 catches for 544 yards and two touchdowns.
“Everything this team has gone through, everything I have gone through personally, for this to be the outcome, it means everything,” said Price.
Dave Dickenson, Calgary’s offensive co-ordinator, was pleased with Price’s performance.
“I know it took a lot out of his steam (not dressing) last week,” said Dickenson. “It was a tough decision.”
“At this stage, and at this arena, it was a good chance to get him back in there. I think it was the right decision.”
Another receiver who made a different was Eric Rogers. Playing in just his third game as a Stampeder, he had five catches for 108 yards. His longest catch was 43 yards.
Rogers was first signed by the Ottawa REDBLACKS then released in April. He signed with the Stampeders in July but didn’t play a game until Oct. 24. He caught two touchdown passes in the final game of the season against BC.
“Life is a rollercoaster and so is being a football player,” said the six-foot-three, 210-pound native of California. “You don’t stick with every team and if you do stick a team has to be the right situation.
“Once you get in you have to make the most of your opportunities”
Dickenson said the Stampeders rolled the dice inserting Rogers into the lineup.
“We weren’t afraid to make a mistake,” he said. “It paid off.”
“We did the right move.”
Price was impressed with the way Rogers worked his way into the Stamps lineup.
“He came to a very talented and deep football team,” said Price. “He came late and earned his spot.”
“He is a young player and has a lot of potential. His future is bright. The sky is the limit for him.”
While Rogers is starting his career slotback Nik Lewis may have reached a crossroads.
The 32-year-old had one catch for 13 yards in the final.
Lewis missed the last half of the 2013 season with a broken fibula and torn ligaments. He returned this year to a reduced role and finished with 37 catches for 377 yards and no touchdowns, making it the least productive of his career.
He plans to meet with the Stampeders soon to discuss his future with the team.
“I will set down in a couple of weeks and see what their plans are,” Lewis said. “If it’s different there is no hard feelings. I understand the game of football.
“I fought hard this year to get back. I was in the starting lineup to finish the season. You never know what is going to happen. I will weigh my options and see what the best option is.”
