Jonathan Tremblay and Patrick Boyle
Last November, the Riders brought in Virginia-native Ricky Schmitt to help out with the kicking game. Until now, Schmitt had his suitcase out a lot over the last few years, spending time with six NFL teams. He was looking for that one opportunity to develop his skills and find the perfect place to shine. He found it, right here in the heart of the prairies.
“I loved sports in high school,” shares Schmitt. Being a multi-sport athlete playing basketball and soccer almost led him down a different path, but there’s something about that pigskin that can’t be denied. Coming out of high school, Schmitt wasn’t one to wait around for an opportunity to drop in his lap.
With some saviness, luck and the help of Google, he found what he was looking for: an opportunity. That opportunity came from the Shepherd University Rams in West Virginia. They had just lost their punter and needed a good replacement. Enter Ricky Schmitt.
Schmitt now owns most of the kicking records at Shepherd University and is a three-time first team All- West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection as a punter and a two-time first team selection as a kicker. He was also a second-team All-American in 2006.
After a stellar college career, it was time to take the next step. The NFL led to a whirlwind tour of cities as Schmitt lived through training camps, the odd injury and stints with the Cardinals, 49ers, Steelers, Raiders, Titans and Chargers between 2007 and 2012. This year has been different for Schmitt. He got that opportunity he was looking for: “2013 is basically my first full season, my rookie year.”
As with all American players, switching leagues comes with a bit of a learning curve, especially for punters. With wider fields and different goal post placement, adjustments need to be made, but one key difference makes the CFL a lot more exciting “I can actually score points up here. It’s really developing my skills as a directional punter,” said Schmitt.
Finally, when a neighbour to the south makes his home in the Land of Living Skies, we like to wait one winter and ask “how do you like it here now?” Schmitt has embraced Saskatchewan and feels more comfortable here than most players who make the transition. His family lives in a quiet part of the American Midwest and he says Saskatchewan is “like a home away from home and really reminds me of where I grew up.”
As for his feelings about being part of the Rider Nation, Schmitt calls it unreal. “There are basically no away games. There’s always a large green section in any stadium we play and in places like Calgary, it’s hard to tell who has the home advantage. I’m blessed to be a part of this.”
See Ricky Schmitt and the Riders in action this Saturday, Aug. 17 at Mosaic Stadium as they host the Montreal Alouettes.
