Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
Being healthy again is one reason why running back Jerome Messam has managed to be a bright spot in an otherwise mostly dark season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Messam credits his maturing as a person for putting his career back on track.
“I just know how to be a pro,” said the 30-year-old, who is in his sixth CFL season and second in Saskatchewan. “My maturity level is much higher.
“When I came in I thought I knew it all. I kind of wanted to do things my way. I think the progression has done me well.”
Ever since starting his CFL career in B.C., Messam produced on the field. It was away from the game he sometimes got tripped up.
“I’ve always been coachable,” he said. “I’ve always been able to listen to what I’ve been told.
“I think some of my decisions off the field, just learning how to be a pro off the field, has helped my development.”
While the Riders have struggled this season — they take an 0-7 record into their game Saturday at Mosaic Stadium against the 5-2 Calgary Stampeders — Messam is proving to be one of the best backs in the league.
He is second in the CFL, behind B.C.’s Andrew Harris, in yards from scrimmage (733) and rushing (417 yards on 57 carries). His rushing total is already more than what he gained in two of the previous three seasons.
“I just think it’s mostly just opportunity and being healthy,” Messam said. “I’ve been very confident in myself since I came into the league.
“I’ve just had a couple of hurdles to get over with injuries that were kind of nagging. It feels good now. I’m getting the chance to be the feature back. It’s all coming together.”
One of Messam’s eye-popping stats is he’s averaging 7.3 yards a carry. He also makes big plays, having 10 plays of 10 yards or more and five over 20 yards.
At six-foot-three and 245 pounds Messam has the speed and agility to find a hole. He also has the strength to plow his way through the line.
“When it comes down to running between the tackles, I can still hit hard,” he said with a chuckle. “Guys really don’t want to tackle me.”
| Career year in sight for Messam |
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If Jerome Messam keeps turning out the yards in 2015, he will be on pace to ecplipse his career-high numbers from 2011 where he was named Most Outstanding Canadian with the Edmonton Eskimos. Messam is on pace to put up 1,072 yards by season’s end and will could reach that the 1000-yard mark with 48 less carries. |
Messam combines a take-no-prisoners running style with soft hands. He has 316 receiving yards, but maybe more importantly, has caught 31 of the 35 passes thrown at him.
“As far as catching the ball, I have been comfortable with it since I was a child playing football,” he said. “It comes a lot with just running around (playing) recess football, playing receiver, developing my hands every day.”
Messam grew up in Toronto’s tough Rexdale area. His mother sent him to live with his grandmother in Brampton, Ont., to keep him out of trouble. That was where Messam first played high school football.
He sometimes ponders where his life might have headed if not for sports.
“I don’t like to think about it too much,” he said. “I think I’m blessed. As a youngster I realized I had opportunities to do something with my life.
“If I didn’t smarten up I could be headed in the wrong path.”
His early years lit a competitive fire that still glows inside.
“Ever since I started playing football I’ve had to deal with people doubting me, doubting I could play the position, doubting I would be able to make it to where I am today,” he said. “I keep that in the back of my mind.
“The past few years, since I was in the NFL, it’s been an uphill battle with injuries and getting myself back to the status I knew I could be. I’ve always had the skill. I’ve always believed in myself. I always felt once I got healthy, and once I got the opportunity, I would be doing what I am doing now.”
Messam attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. He was signed as a free agent by the Lions in 2010, then traded to the Edmonton Eskimos in 2011.
That year he rushed for 1,057 yards with the Eskimos and became the first Canadian back to surpass 1,000 yards since Sean Millington with the 2000 Lions. Messam was named the CFL’s outstanding Canadian and a CFL all-star.
In 2012 Messam signed with the NFL Miami Dolphins but was released during the pre-season. He returned to the Eskimos and played nine games, but then was traded to the Montreal Alouettes in February 2013. He was released by the Alouettes last June then signed with Saskatchewan in July and dressed for 14 games.
Along the way Messam dealt with a string of injuries. He hurt his knee prior to going to Miami and needed surgery. While with Montreal he suffered a concussion in training camp, then a turf toe early in the season which hampered him for the rest of the year.
“Last year, when I came to Saskatchewan, it was more of a fullback role,” he said. “I really wasn’t running the ball too much. It was kind of a blessing in disguise.
“I got the feel of being back out there on the field but my body kind of got healed. This offseason I took the time to get my body ready.”
Messam admitted living in Regina took some adjusting.
“The first couple of months last year I was kind of pulling my hair out with boredom, looking for things to do,” he said. “After I got used to it was pretty cool.
“You find other things to pass the time, going on hikes, going to the lake, taking my dog on walks, go-karting, going hunting. There’s not too much night life or clubs so it was a change of pace. It was good for work. You stay focused and the fans are just awesome here.”
It’s been a turbulent year for the Riders. The team has lost five games by four points or less. Injuries have taken their toll with 15 players on the injury list, including quarterbacks Darian Durant and Kevin Glenn.
While Saskatchewan remains only six points out of third place in the West, no 0-7 team has ever made the CFL playoffs.
“It’s tough to keep your morale up when things aren’t going well,” said Messam. “We are all getting paid so regardless we have to come here and go to work and handle our business.
“It’s more keeping the guys around you and everybody’s morale up. We have to make sure we keep the young guys up and the leaders continue to lead and continue to stay positive.”
Even through the turmoil Messam still enjoys playing the game.
“I’m always having fun,” he said. “We are playing a kid’s game, getting paid to do something we love to do.
“I think I will hang it up when the game stops being fun.”
