Edmonton Elks’ quarterbacks McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Tre Ford are publicly embracing their status as a duo, despite the team’s impending switch under centre.
On Saturday night, the pair attended the Canadian Country Music Awards and took to the stage to present the trophy for Group or Duo of the Year. Bethel-Thompson fired up the crowd, before Ford highlighted the importance of being a part of a team.
A night full of stars ✨
Congratulations to the @jamesbarkerband on winning the Group or Duo of the Year Award at the 2024 @ccmaofficial Awards! Honoured to be part of the biggest night in Canadian country music. pic.twitter.com/Yqf9VmcfaE
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) September 15, 2024
“They were talking about it for a while and I was nervous to do it, but McLeod was there to help me so we were able to get through it together,” Ford told 630 CHED of the experience. “It was cool having us as team members go and present an award for a group.”
“It was nice and it was good to be up there with Tre. We’re a duo and we take turns, all that type of stuff,” Bethel-Thompson added.
James Barker Band, a quartet from Woodville, Ont., won the award off of the success of their album Ahead of Our Time, which was released in October. The group also won the Fans’ Choice award at the CCMAs, while receiving a nomination for Single of the Year for “Meet Your Mama.”
Ford was already a country music fan heading into the event, but Bethel-Thompson did several days of preparation to familiarize himself with the nominated artists in his category. Though he was complimentary of James Barker Band, he would have gone in a different direction with the award.
“I’ve got to be honest, they won a lot and they’re obviously a great band, but my favourite would have been Washboard Union of that group,” he admitted. “I enjoy the kinda old school country.”
The Elks’ two other quarterbacks, Jarret Doege and Dakota Prukop, were also in attendance at the event, though they did not take to the stage. A behind-the-scenes video released by the team on Sunday shows the group and their families soaking up the atmosphere, while roasting Ford for his baldness in the hair and make-up chair.
The event came on the eve of the Elks returning to practice following the bye week, which marked the first time that Ford has taken first-team reps since sustaining a rib injury more than a month ago. Interim head coach Jarious Jackson made clear prior to the break that the third-year Canadian would be the team’s starter when they returned despite sensational play from Bethel-Thompson in his absence.
Ford made his first start of the season in Week 9 following an 0-7 start under Bethel-Thompson, willing the team to their first win of the season. The former Hec Crighton Trophy winner has completed 35-of-45 passes for 473 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 11 times for 79 yards. He went 2-0 as a starter but was forced to exit his second outing in the second quarter after sustaining an injury.
Bethel-Thompson steered the team the rest of the way to victory in that game and has gone 3-1 in four appearances since. Through 13 games, the native of San Francisco, Cal. has completed 261-of-383 attempts for 3,098 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The Edmonton Elks (5-8) will return to action on Saturday, September 21 when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
