When the Grey Cup trophy is presented on Sunday, Bahamian Karl McCartney and teammates are hoping to hold it up in front of the sold out crowd gathered at the Rogers Centre to watch the 100th hosting of the championships.
The linebacker playing for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL), is all set to take on the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday. The game has a 6 p.m. kick-off time. McCartney, who is in his third season with the Stampeders said it is an honor to be playing. Not only is he excited that his family will be in town to watch him play, but the six-foot, 215-pound player is happy to be a part of history.
"It is an honor to be playing in the game. This is the centurion game so it means a lot to the team and the whole league, that makes it even more special," he said. "They've put a lot of work into promoting the championships. Several side streets and roads are closed and there will be parties starting from tonight.
"This is my third year on the team. My first year we didn't make it to the Grey Cup. I believe that year we were more individual players, rather than a team. My parents and uncles flew in from home for the game. I feel honored and blessed to be a part of it, and for them to be here watching me play."
McCartney was the 37th pick overall in the fifth round, in the 2010 CFL draft. He signed with the Stampeders on May 20, that year. As a rookie, he recorded 19 tackles on the special teams. That year he closed the season with eight defensive tackles. Hampered by a leg injury, in 2011, McCartney didn't get the opportunity to line-up that much. He only played seven regular season games and made a semifinal appearance in the semifinal.
McCartney graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2009.
He said: "It wasn't too difficult for me to get into the league. I attended boarding school outside of Toronto, so I was able to get a football foundation. It is a lot harder when you don't have that background. I am also considered a Canadian in the league, but I am a Bahamian. Every American in the CFL basically played in the NFL before, or will be going to play one day. So the caliber of the league is pretty high.
"I am not a starter, so I play a lot on special teams like kick off and punt returns. I do play some defense. But overall, as a team I think we are pretty evenly matched. The team who makes the least mistakes, creates turnovers and capitalizes on them will win. Whoever plays the most assignment football will have the edge. I grew up watching the CFL and always thought one day I will be playing in it."
McCartney is not the first Bahamian to play in the CFL or for the Stampeders. In 2005, Godfrey Ellis was drafted to the league after playing at Acadia University. Ellis played for four years. His last season was 2009.
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