Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca
Included in the tapestry of tattoos etched on Emmanuel Arceneaux’s broad chest and washboard stomach are the words John Thomas.
Queried about the significance of the name, Arceneaux explained he grew up at 418 John Thomas Street in Alexandria, La.
“Anybody that knows me, knows where I’m from,” said the BC Lions receiver. “Tough part of town. You can look it up.
“That’s what made me the man I am today. I’ve been faced with adversity my whole life.”
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Emmanuel Arceneaux is third in the league in receiving yards, just behind Edmonton’s Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker (CFL.ca)
Refusing to quit, spurning any idea of backing down, might explain something about the attitude Arceneaux took into last week’s CFL game against the Edmonton Eskimos at BC Place Stadium.
On a night when the Lions couldn’t afford to lose, Arceneaux proved to be nearly unbeatable in a 32-25 victory. It wasn’t just the eight catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. It was the way Arceneaux imposed his will on the defence each time he touched the ball.
“We really had to,” said Arceneaux, named one of the Shaw Top Performers of the week. “It was at a point now in the season where it’s kill or be killed. No homeboys, no friends.
“You have to protect yourself out there. You have to have the mindset it’s my job to impose my will on my opponent or he’s going to do it to me. That’s how you have to respond. You can’t win every play but you want to win the majority of the plays.”
One of the touchdowns was a grab in the end zone where the six-foot-two, 210-pound Arceneaux used his size and strength to simply overpower the defender. The other score came on a 70-yard pass-and-run play where he rumbled down the field like a boulder down a mountain.
It was the Manny Show at its finest. A mixture of finesse and brute power, with a dash of swagger.
“It’s about me being consistent and doing what I’m expected to do,” he said. “That’s what makes me a pro.
“When you have to win and guys can step up, that’s what you want. When it comes to the playoffs, the record is out the window. It’s any given Sunday the best team will win and it’s all about who can heat up the right time. Hopefully this is our spark.”
In his sixth year as a Lion, Arceneaux is enjoying his best season in the CFL. The 29-year-old has made 91 catches for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. Only Edmonton’s Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker have more catches and yards.
Arceneaux has had five 100-yard games, including making seven catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns earlier this season in a loss to Edmonton.
“It’s just the opportunities I’m presented with,” he said about his career year. “They put me in a position to make plays.
“I have to be able to make as many plays as possible because my team is depending on it.”
Lions’ receivers coach Marcel Bellefeuille said Arceneaux’s success is a product of his work ethic and preparation.
“He comes to work every single day, runs every route . . . finishes every play,” said Bellefeuille. “He’s in the meeting room early, he’s in the meeting room late. He studies, takes notes, previews everything the night before.
“It’s uncanny to see a player with that much talent prepare that way. It’s a great recipe, talent plus focus and work ethic. Usually players with that kind of talent don’t prepare that way. You usually find that from the more mid-level players that have to prepare that way.”
When quarterback Jonathon Jennings took over the Lions offence midway through last season it didn’t take him long to learn who his go-to guy was.
“He was kind of the guy that kick-started me last year,” said Jennings. “A lot of times I would be in the huddle and say ‘Manny, I’m throwing this up to you.’
“He always came down with it. You get that trust with somebody like that and know they are going to come down with it (and) you are going to go to him.”
Talk to Arceneaux about his success and he quickly includes other Lion receivers like Terrell Sinkfield, Bryan Burnham, Shawn Gore and Marco Iannuzzi in the conversation.
“A lot of people put pressure and emphasis on the Manny Show, but I always tell them it’s not about me,” said Arceneaux. “Teams have to respect us as a whole.
“When given the opportunity, and my number is called, I have to make those plays.”
BC’s win over Edmonton came after the Lions had lost back-to-back games against Winnipeg and been beaten three times in their previous four games. It was a night where the Lions needed their best players to play their best.
“When you are in a position like us, it falls on the vets,” said Arceneaux. “The vets run the locker room.
“When we hit these different rough patches, we put it on the vets to get this thing going. With me being a veteran I have to lead by example. That’s what made it so important for us.”
Winnipeg and BC are tied for second in the West with 10-6 records. Edmonton is 8-8. The Lions end their season with a home-and-home series against Saskatchewan (5-11).
BC still has a chance to finish second in the West Division, and host a playoff game. The Lions also can sink to fourth and play a crossover game in the East.
The Riders are out of the playoffs but Arceneaux doesn’t expect them to roll over.
“It’s back to the drawing board,” he said. “Correcting mistakes and get ready for a Saskatchewan team that’s not the same as they were 10 or 11 weeks ago.”