It's twenty minutes after practice on Day 4 of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2015 training camp. Players lay everywhere along the McMaster University sidelines being circled by media members and coaching staff as they stretch to refresh the legs they rely on to perform at the highest possible level.
The stars of the daily media circuit make their regularly scheduled appearances in front of the assembled cameras and microphones, kindly giving what insight they can while keeping the curtains pulled just tight enough to feel safe from persecution. Other players of equal or greater background sit quietly away from the probing lenses.
The Canadian Football League stands alone in its strange contrast of personalities and backgrounds. The five-star high school recruit who was once tagged as the saviour of "The U" is treated the same as the visiting CIS internship quarterback from Western. The Canadian Junior football signee is given similar reps to the 2011 Cotton Bowl most valuable player and so on.
Some players feel slighted by this, it's only natural. Human emotion is undeniably built in. It can be masked or portrayed differently in Hollywood, but often reveals itself on a courtroom stand or playing field, which to be fair is completely understandable.
If you worked as the head chef of a five-star Manhattan restaurant then were signed by a Denny's in Kanata, Ontario and given the same opportunity as a former fast food fry cook operator, you might be slightly upset with your perceived lack of opportunity too. While the CIS by no means produces fast food quality players, some Americans in CFL history with National Football League experience simply could not hide the feeling of displeasure with their surroundings.
However once in a while a diamond in the rough appears. A tall lanky unicorn with smooth cuts, soft hands and a selfless approach to the game. The Tiger-Cats have somehow found two such mystical creatures. Most shocking of all, these rare gems are both of a genus and species renowned for their out of touch, all about me attitude: receivers.
The first introduces himself with a wry smile while talking to himself as he passes by after Tuesday's practice. A quick introduction leads to a rapid understanding of Terrence Toliver's background. Texas born, longhorn high school football bred and SEC revered during his time at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His pedigree suggests the 6'5", 220-pound wideout should demand attention at all times. Not so.
After intros I point towards the capacity 6,500 seat Ron Joyce Stadium's empty seats and apologize, "we're no LSU". Before the 'L' in Louisiana could leave my mouth Toliver shook his head and responded, "no, no I don't mind. I love it".
The second of this rare breed introduces himself with a smile that would put Ronald McDonald to shame. Tiquan Underwood has lived the short and exciting - often for the wrong reasons - life which many talented American skill position players do.
While completing his senior season at Rutgers Underwood won the Loyal Knight Award, honouring the Rutgers football player whose character and dedication have proved resilient in his pursuit of excellence. After wearing the scarlet and grey Underwood was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 7th and final round of the 2009 NFL draft, 253rd overall. He was a mere three picks from going undrafted.
The Jags waived Underwood, signed him to the practice roster, then called him up to the active roster only to waive him again after a pair of mediocre 7-9 and 8-8 seasons. In 2011 Tiquan hit the proverbial free agent jackpot when he signed with the New England Patriots only to be cut five days later.
What followed was an education in the business of football and a yo-yoing of emotions the then-25-year-old could never have imagined. The Patriots signed Underwood November 8, then released him November 12 only to re-sign him November 23. Tiquan would dress for the remainder of the season, hauling in only three passes in an offence that featured Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Deion Branch, Wes Welker and future CFL-er Chad Ochocinco.
What he lacked in playing time he learned in humility. "They (Patriots) treat you like a professional and demand excellence. I learned how to be a pro there in 2011 and it stays with me now in 2015"
The night before the biggest game of Underwood's young career, Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants on Feb. 4, 2012, he was released. The Patriots would lose 21-17. Underwood should have been angered beyond belief. His response was as dignified as his flat top hair cut is crisp.
"At the end of the day it's a business and I understand that. I was a guy on the back half of the roster and coach Belichick makes roster moves every week, he does that whether it's Week 1, playoffs, Super Bowl it doesn't matter and he had to bring someone up from the practice squad which means someone has to go down and it was for the betterment of the team and I understood that and there were no hard feelings whatsoever".
As I said, Underwood's attitude and resolve make him the Loch Ness monster of CFL free agent signings; rumoured to exist but never seen. Rarer than a Honus Wagner baseball card.
The following season Underwood would suit up for Tampa Bay but received his 2011-12 Patriots AFC championship ring. "When I got released, Bill kept his word. He said if we win the Super Bowl, you'll get a ring, and if we don't you'll get a ring".
After bouncing around the NFL for a couple more years Underwood contemplated all his options including returning to his alma mater Notre Dame High in Lawrenceville, New Jersey as a coach. At the time he told NJ.com, "I just want to stay around the game of football. It's been part of my life since I was seven. I've been affected by so many coaches growing up and I love the idea of having the chance to influence young boys and help turn them into young men."
When asked why Hamilton, Underwood responded, "It's a grade A organization, great coaches and they have given me an opportunity".
The unique mixture of size, speed, athleticism and humility in Terrence Toliver and Tiquan Underwood separates them from their predecessors, but can partially be attributed to their current teammates. Underwood told me he "just wants to learn from Andy (Fantuz), Tasker, and Bakari (Grant)". All he wants is a chance, and he's finally been given it.
Underwood finished, "I just want to help contribute in any way that I can, I still approach it like I'm a guy on the back half of the roster. Nothing is handed to you, you have to work for whatever you get, and i'm willing to do that".
If the Tiger-Cats' staff are able to apply Toliver and Underwood's athletic ability with their character we could be looking at as rare and beautiful a passing attack as Hamilton fans have seen in a very long time.
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