Black History Month marks an important time in Canada and the United States to recognize, honour and celebrateĀ the achievements and contributions of African-Americans throughout history. BC Lions general manager Ed Hervey, who came to Canada in 1999 before an illustrious career as a player and now executive, writes about whatĀ this month means to him.
Februaryās always been an important month in my familyās home. Itās always been a time to think about what it meant to be an African-American, to be black in the United States. Understanding the struggles and the fight for civil rights, hearing the stories, watching different stories. As I grew older I understood that I was standing on the shoulders of those who sacrificed and paved the way for fighting for racial equality.
Itās a little different reflecting on this month when Iām in Canada and after the last 19 years Iāve had as a part of the CFL. I came to Edmonton as a player in 1999 and took on the west coast scouting role with the Eskimos after I retired in 2007. By 2009 Iād become the head scout and in December, 2012, I was named the GM. I was the second black man to hold that role in this league, after Roy Shivers did it in Saskatchewan. In 2015, I became the first black GM in CFL history to win a Grey Cup.
I would say that in Canada the opportunities probably have been greater to get to this level, to be a general manager in the CFL. Hugh Campbell and Danny Maciocia played a major role in my decision to give the personnel department a try.
During my playing days, I used to talk with Hugh from time to time. He was the Eskimos president and he always had an open door and time to speak with the players. I really appreciated that. Toward the end of my career, we started talking about what was next. Heād talk about coaching and I knew that wasnāt really for me. I always looked to the other side, to management, but I didnāt see anyone on the management side that looked like me. It was something that intrigued me, so I had a conversation with Hugh. When Danny offered me the west coast scouting job, I actually didnāt take it right away. I sat down and wrote out some goals on a sheet of paper. I basically made a deal with myself that if I wasnāt a GM or considered for a GM job within five years, Iād move on. That was my start in this business.
Where thereās opportunity, there are also challenges. Theyāre the ones that I started hearing about when I was a kid, 10, 11, 12-years old.
Youād read about them, youād see it on TV when youād watch documentaries. Theyāre things you talk about or you hear. Conversations with some of my elders, uncles, friends of uncles, cousins, theyād talk about it. Youād say to yourself, āItās not going to happen to me.ā
Then it did. It does. It happened to all of us at some point. In football, whether we were in film sessions or later in my professional career, it was there.
The reality of it is, if weāre having a discussion, everyone wants to be right. I would sit listening to people who werenāt right all the time. No oneās ever right all the time. But if weāre having a discussion and theyāre giving a strong opinion and raise their voice or get red in the face, theyāre considered passionate or feel strongly about their point of view and itās accepted behaviour. When I had my own thoughts, and I spoke up with my opinion, which I will do from time to time, Iām aggressive or bullying.
I hear that and laugh. It takes me back. Thatās the stuff I heard I would always have to deal with, and dealt with growing up.
If youāve followed me over the last 19 years, you know my story. You know that Iām from California, that I grew up in Watts and Compton. It was home, but those were dangerous places and all that. Thatās the first place I learned about that difference. Me being me, being fiery and me being me, being called opinionated or strong-willed.
When I was a kid, I assumed that part of getting stopped by the police was getting pulled out of your car and put on the hood, face down. I believed thatās how the police handled people everywhere. Weād drive past and see the police pulling someone over on the highway or the side of the road and Iād think, āOh man, someoneās in trouble,ā no matter if it was a white guy, an old lady, anyone.
“Iām unfazed by what people say about meĀ . . . I grew up focused on getting myself and my family out of that tough neighbourhood and people can say whatever they want. Iāve grown up with thick skin.”
For a long time, all I had were the memories of having what the police did in our neighbourhood. When I finally got out and saw other places, Iād see people pulled over and think the worst. You donāt realize that itās not that way, that itās somewhat different when you get out of there.
No matter what was going on around me though, I was only concerned about my own business. I had to deal with police, that uncertainty. Iāve heard the n-word yelled out from the stands when I was competing, whether it was in track or football.
The thing is, Iām unfazed by what people say about me or what people try to make of me. I grew up focused on getting myself and my family out of that tough neighbourhood and people can say whatever they want. Iāve grown up with thick skin.
When I became a GM, I had a certain vision for the job. It wasnāt to reinvent the wheel, but approach the job by taking the positives that I experienced as a player and scout and eliminate the negatives that I encountered. I explain to players why weāre doing some things, rather than bring a player into the office, sit him down and tell him how itās going to be.
The position itself doesnāt allow me to always be a good guy in the eyes of the player. I explain to the players that the position of the job is one thing but the person sitting there is another. I would consider myself somewhat a playersā GM, however with boundaries. I still hold players accountable, but Iām not interested in cheating to get ahead, cutting corners or blowing hot air pontificating. Iām not looking for attention nor am I into self-promoting. I love the challenge of building teams and building relationships and because of those relationships weāve built over the years we were able to be successful with the players we signed during free agency. I sincerely believe building trust in relationships goes a long way. That philosophy in itself in my opinion has and will pay dividends in the future.
In BC, I keep the door open as much as I can, the same way Hugh did for us. Iāve had players come to my office curious about the work we do or at times attempting to feel me out. Shamawd Chambers reminded me a lot of myself when he asked questions. I was happy to help him out and I think heās got a bright future ahead of him after heās done playing. Iāve done the same with other players and other coaches that had questions.
When Roy Shivers had the job in Saskatchewan, Iām sure he thought about who might come after him. Iām sure Kavis Reed thinks about it in Montreal. I do too. My philosophy is that the most qualified person should get the opportunity. My director of player personnel is Torey Hunter. I didnāt choose him because heās black. I chose him because heās qualified and will get the job done. Now, if someone sees him in time as an assistant GM or a GM and he moves on, then thereās opening to fill. Iād have no problem hiring a female, either, as long as theyāre qualified.
When I was hired I wanted to work hard and be accomplished and win. I didnāt want to be considered token. Thatās another one of those terms youāll hear from time to time. I wanted to be legit and work hard and do the things essential to win and be recognized as that. Thatās the same as when Iām hiring, I donāt hire for public relations.
If youāre qualified and can do the job, youāll get the job. I donāt get caught up in white, black, male, female, transgender, all that other stuff. To me itās, āCan you do the job?ā. I grew up in California, where we understand it all. We just ask people to do their jobs well.
Thatās the kind of environment I want to create for my staff. Thereās still work to be done in terms of equality. Some of the things my mom taught will always stick with me. Iāve never sat in front of anyone and felt inferior.
Thatās why the civil rights marches during the 60ās are so significant. They allowed me to walk around and feel good about myself, believe in my abilities and understand that regardless of what my race is, the colour of my skin, if Iām skilled enough to do the job, I should have the confidence to get the job done.
All in all, the opportunities have been great for me. Not perfect, but I understand that there are still opportunities for growth and above everything else, Iām accepted. Iām not only seen as black man. Iām an executive and Iām proud of it. I donāt walk around saying that Iām one of the black GMs in the CFL, however I embrace that and I am proud of it.
Iām Ed Hervey, general manager of the BC Lions. Iām proud of that as well.