Brandon Stewart is jacked up. You would be hard pressed to find a youngster on Christmas morning with more enthusiasm and energy than the ten year CFL veteran. The defensive back is anxious to hit the field and chase the Grey Cup title that has eluded him over the last decade. He got close as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats squad that fell to Calgary in the 102nd Grey Cup at BC Place in 2014 and also lost to the Lions while with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers three years earlier. “I need that cup,” Stewart says. “We have all the pieces and we just need to go out there and execute. We have a lot to prove this year.”
Despite his excitement and endless mission to hoist some hardware, Stewart has one small issue with the CFL schedule maker: He would have loved Lions bye week to fall just a few days later so he could witness his hero Ken Griffey Jr.’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24th in Cooperstown, New York.
“I wanted to go so badly,” the Seattle native says. “It’s an honour to see him inducted. A couple of my best friends are making the trip and wanted me to come. Griffey was such a pillar in our community. He used to go down to Rainier Vista and give food to kids. For me, he was a big influence on how a pro athlete should give back to the community.”
Griffey epitomizes the pride Stewart takes in being a Seattle boy through and through. “I have the Space Needle on my leg,” he says. “I wear Seattle socks almost every day. I own almost 40 pairs so I am Seattle to the max. I love my city.”
How much does Stewart love football? Just put it this way: he often makes a habit of sticking around after practice to attempt a few field goals with the kicking team. He says it’s all about having fun and making the most of your time spent on the field.
“We’re being kids out here, getting paid to play a child’s game. I have been watching kickers my whole life and I can do it too,” Stewart says with a chuckle.
When it comes to business, the pride of Ingraham High School admits it has also been somewhat of a challenge and adjustment to fit into a new scheme, with new teammates. “The coaches have really tested our mental toughness, but we’ve grinded through,” Stewart adds. “We’ve stuck together, guys are picking up the playbook, playing fast and communicating well.”
“He’s fast, he’s big and he brings attitude,” Mark Washington says. “He knows this game and has been around a long time in an environment that’s prepared him for this role.”
One of Stewart’s new teammates in the secondary is fellow Emerald City native Ryan Phillips. Those two, along with TJ Lee are forming quite possibly the best Seattle defensive back trio you will ever find on a CFL field. Despite being a twelve-year veteran, Phillips admits it has been a nice learning experience.
Phillips also knew what Stewart was capable of long before he signed with the Lions on the opening day of free agency. “I have a couple of guys who are like little brothers to me that played with him in high school, so I always knew he was a guy with great size and athletic ability. He’s a great addition for us and has a lot of years left in him.”
For the Seattle athletes, the daily grind of camp schedule has helped take their minds off their hometown Mariners’ recent struggles. “That was definitely a hot topic,” Phillips says. “We were happy about their good start and we have talked about perhaps catching a game or two during bye week. We’re both home grown and we take pride in where we come from.”
Washington says having three Seattle players in his defensive backfield is something they can use to their advantage as they look to build a champion in 2016. “If playing close to home makes them feel comfortable, that’s what we want because they are performing well. If that’s what it takes, we’ll get all Seattle guys.”
Lions veterans depart Kamloops on Wednesday afternoon, but you can bet Stewart may opt to stick around an extra half hour or so to kick a few more field goals at Hillside Stadium. It’s all part of soaking in the experience of playing in the province closest to where he grew up. “BC is already like home,” Stewart says. Every home game will be like playing in Seattle and that’s the pride I am hitting the field with.”
We’ll be sure to check in on him for the Griffey induction in July. He might be a little more speechless then… If that’s possible.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com