Mitchell Blair
Jerome Messam didn’t know if his football career would have one more stop in it or not, but he is glad to have found a home—albeit a temporary one right now in Saskatchewan.
The 29-year-old running back was signed by the Riders on Wednesday afternoon after getting cut two weeks ago by the Montreal Alouettes. Messam says it was agonizing waiting for the phone to ring once he was released in Montreal.
“It was a long two weeks, but I’m blessed to be able to play the game I love again.” Messam said moments after his first practice with the team. “You sit down and think a lot about what the future might hold if football is no longer an option, but I received a couple of calls and in the end I chose to play for Coach Chamblin and I’m happy to be here. I’ve always appreciated this game and I love the CFL. I just want to get back out there and show what I can do.”
Before coming on board though, Messam says he had to have a heart-to-heart chat with Chamblin about his past and some baggage that he has collected during his time on the gridiron. Messam says the talk was a productive one.
“We sat down for about a half hour and talked. He said I am coming in here with a clean slate and that he doesn’t care what he has heard in the past.” Messam revealed. “We just talked about life and it was a great conversation.”
Chamblin also spoke about that talk saying he emerged from it feeling as if the two were on the same page.
“When I first met him, I told him he was different than what I expected.” Chamblin said. “The first thing I told him is the past is the past. There is nothing pre-conceived about you as far as I’m concerned and we will move forward from here. I was impressed with the conversation and the goals he has along with the way he wants to attack this season.”
Messam burst onto the scene in the 2011 season. After being traded to Edmonton before the season started, the Toronto, Ontario native became the first Canadian since Sean Millington to run for 1,000 yards as he rumbled for 1,057 with 6 touchdowns. He was recognized for that effort by being named the CFL’s top Canadian.
Whether or not it was the right decision at the time is something Messam seemingly wanted to shuffle aside, but he tried the NFL as he went to the camp of the Miami Dolphins. When that failed, he returned to the CFL, but he could not find his form again as he was traded from the Eskimos to the Alouettes before getting cut prior to this season starting. Messam is extremely confident he still has it in him to deliver a one thousand yard season.
“I’m definitely a guy who can do that.” Messam said with a tinge of confidence. “It took a while for me to get back to that point, but I feel I am healthy and can be a contributor.”
Messam will likely contribute Saturday night against B.C playing special teams, but he says he is more than ready to take the ball if the playbook calls for it.
“My role right now is just to learn the offence and play some special teams, but I want to work towards being that number one guy. I know there are a few guys in front of me, but I’m just hoping to get the chance to show people what I can do.
Messam will get his first opportunity to strut his stuff in a green and white uniform on Saturday night when the 0-2 B.C. Lions pay a visit to Mosaic Stadium in a 7:30 kickoff.
