HAMILTON, Ont. -- Arland Bruce III tries not to indulge the memory of hearing his coach claim he was not "a good teammate" on live radio, an event which became another link in the chain of events that led to Bruce's exile from the Toronto Argonauts last summer.
Exasperated first-year Argos coach Bart Andrus prompted a trade days after the interview aired, sending Bruce to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for a prospect and a pair of draft picks. Bruce helped the Ticats qualify for the CFL playoffs, but flirted with retirement over the winter, partially out of disappointment.
"My kids saw that, how the coach was talking bad," Bruce said. "My dad saw that and was like, 'How can you talk about my son like that? You don't know my son."'
What Andrus did not know -- or chose to ignore -- was the ability Bruce had to do the kinds of things he did last weekend. The 32-year-old slotback tied a CFL record by making 16 receptions, adding 272 yards and two touchdowns in a game that ultimately ended in a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
His efforts shone through in defeat, and is one of the reasons why the Ticats are not considering drastic measures despite a 1-4 start to the season.
"Everybody knows that the trade has been very good for us," Ticats general manager Bob O'Billovich said. "Arland's been a very positive addition to this football team."
Bruce sits third in the league with 483 receiving yards. Toronto's receiving leader, Brandon Rideau, has managed less than half (226) that total.
Hamilton coach Marcel Bellefeuille said Bruce has become a leader, helping his younger teammates adjust to the game and to the playbook. Bruce regularly takes extra drills in practice, and has already developed a bond with fellow receivers.
"He's been a real breath of fresh air ever since he got here," Ticats president Scott Mitchell said. "Everybody who sees him sees how hard he works. He's a real competitive guy, and we've been thrilled to have him."
Andrus was not.
The long-time NFL assistant, hailed by Toronto management as an offensive-minded visionary, never warmed to Bruce. There were allegations the veteran receiver had left his playbook on a flight to Calgary, and that he had skipped at least two special teams meetings.
Andrus left Bruce at home for an early-season game in Winnipeg, and alleged Bruce was not a good teammate during an appearance on the FAN 590, an all-sports radio station in Toronto.
"We never had a conversation, one-on-one or man-to-man," Bruce said on Wednesday.
The Argos shipped him to Hamilton for the rights to defensive lineman Corey Mace, a member of the Buffalo Bills practice roster, and two draft picks. The Argos will receive the second pick next year, as Bruce enters the option year of his contract with the Ticats.
"He hasn't left any playbooks," Bellefeuille said with a smile. "He's good, you know?"
Andrus was fired in December, having presided over a 3-15 record.
Bruce said he rarely reflects on how his time in Toronto ended. He had led the team in receiving for three seasons before his departure, and he had also won a Grey Cup, in 2004.
"It's like going to a bar and asking, 'Do I want to go into this bar with all this smoke?"' he asked. "No, I don't. It's 'let me go over here, where they're just having sandwiches and martinis.'
"What I'm saying is, I won't indulge in that."
Bruce does indulge in exercise.
He hits a punching bag twice a week to help strengthen his hands, and he has a mechanical quarterback in his garage at home, allowing him to catch high-speed passes throughout the winter months.
"I think the longevity comes from how I take care of my body," he said. "And I want to be remembered as a guy who played 10-12 years in the league -- and who still did the same things he did when he was first in the league."
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