Players travel to CFL cities for one-week quarantine ahead of training camp

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3Down Staff
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Photo courtesy: Theren Churchill (t_church62)

CFL training camps are set to open on July 10, which means players from around the world are traveling this weekend ahead of a one-week quarantine.

It’s been a long time since most of us have traveled or watched CFL football, so it feels a bit surreal to see social media posts like the ones below.

Reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Willie Jefferson is on his way to Winnipeg. At six-foot-seven and 255 pounds, we’re impressed that his massive sneakers fit inside those airport security bins.

1,000-yard running back William Stanback has returned to Montreal where he enjoyed a sensational season in 2019. After a year spent trying the NFL, fans in Quebec are ecstatic to have him back in the nest.

Newly-named Michael Reilly has entered quarantine in Kamloops, B.C., which is where the Lions are holding training camp. He evidently feels bored.

2020 first-round draft pick Theren Churchill is on his way to Toronto for his rookie CFL season. The Big Smoke is a lot bigger than Churchill’s birthplace of Stettler, Alta. and Regina, which is where he played offensive tackle for the Rams.

Dexter McCoil is heading to Toronto for what should be his first full CFL season since 2015. The former Most Outstanding Rookie has a rare combination of size and speed that should allow him to play a number of positions on the defensive side of the ball.

Calgary’s Director of Player Personnel Brendan Mahoney is pictured here picking up a handful of players at the airport. Second from the left is Royce Metchie, who had a breakout season in 2019 as the team’s starting safety.

The Las Vegas Posse have yet to have any players arrive for training camp. We’re pretty sure we know why, but we’re afraid to be the bearers of bad news.

Simoni Lawrence is so excited about being back in Hamilton that he’s already looking to get his hands on some pizza. If you know the best pizza joint in Steeltown, hit him up (and us, frankly, because we’re going to get hungry at Grey Cup).

 

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National offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek is on his way to Toronto from his off-season home in Florida. He’ll play a key role in protecting the Argos’ starting quarterback in 2021, whether it’s Nick Arbuckle or McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

Brandon Banks drove 13 hours to Hamilton, which is quite the trek. If he drives as fast as he runs, we hope that Speedy B was able to avoid any speeding tickets he may have risked along the way.

 

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Global kicker Toshiki Sato has got a long travel day ahead of him — he’s flying to Toronto all the way from Japan. He’s used to making the trip as he recently participated in The Spring League with the Aviators.

Canadian slotback Juwan Brescacin is traveling to Toronto for his first season with the Argos following a four-year stint in Calgary. Keep an eye out for him — he could be primed for a breakout season.

Offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick is already in Winnipeg where he’s practicing the patented ‘Hardrick Hop.’ Will he get the opportunity to put it on display when the Blue Bombers host the Tiger-Cats on August 5?

Canadian receiver Shaq Johnson is flying out to Vancouver very soon. We wouldn’t blame him if he’s a little nervous — it’s been a very long time since most of us were on an airplane.

Vernon Adams Jr. seems ready to take on the 2021 CFL season, which is bad news for his opponents. The dual-threat quarterback was sensational in 2019 and will look to build off that campaign when the regular season starts next month.

3Down Staff
3Down Staff

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