Mitchell Blair
Of the many players doing their thing at Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp, there may be no one happier to be on the field at Griffiths Stadium than home-grown product Scott McHenry.
The football future of the 28 year old was in question after a game in Vancouver last August when he suffered a stable, undisplaced fracture involving the sixth cervical vertebrae after making an awkward tackle during a kickoff return.
It was an injury that could have ended McHenry’s football career, but he wasn’t going to let that happen. In fact, he has let it be known during the first week of the 2015 training camp brought to you by Coors Light that he is more than ready to resume his role and do what he has to do to help this team win in 2015.
“I am feeling good,” McHenry stated. “I’ve taken a couple of hits in camp already, including maybe the hardest hit of training camp. It was cool to strap on the helmet and walk onto the field after what happened last year. It took me a second to think about it because I wasn’t sure after the injury. I felt confident walking out there though, and it was something I was looking forward to once I was told I would be OK. I just want to keep doing it day-after-day.”
As mentioned, McHenry took perhaps the hardest hit in camp when he was smoked by rookie defensive back Darwin Cook on a play that likely would have resulted in a 15 yard penalty had it happened during a game. While the hit was a nasty one, McHenry says it served as a huge hurdle in his bid to be the player he was before the injury.
“It wasn’t sweet getting hit like that, but it was a blessing in disguise, “McHenry admitted. “I took that first hit before I got out in the field in a game situation so now I know that when I do play in a game, I know I can trust my neck and trust my body and go at it full go.”
While the six year veteran is happy to know his body seems to be ready for the grind of another football season, he is also excited at the new offense led by offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine saying it is a learning process, but it is something he and the others are grasping quickly.
“We are a multi-dimensional offence and it is awesome.” McHenry said. “You are seeing the positive progression with every practice and it is fun being out there. I’m looking to continue getting better and making sure I make the most of every opportunity I’m given.”
McHenry is one of many Saskatchewan players on the football team and he is more than happy to once again have training camp in Saskatoon because it is his hometown meaning he can perform in front of family and friends who are more than happy to see him playing the game he loves.
“It is great being at home,” McHenry said. “I get to see Mom and Dad every day and my Grandma has been out a few times which is cool. They come to Regina to see some games, but they don’t see the work we put in and it’s always nice to get a hug after practice too.”
McHenry played a big role for the football team before his injury and his absence was noted in the second half of the 2014 season as the team struggled. He is hoping to put any lingering concerns about his neck to rest and continue on in the role he played and perhaps more as the team finishes off the first week of camp and prepares for their first exhibition game of the season June 13 against the Edmonton Eskimos in the “Northern Kickoff” in Fort MacMurray, Alberta.
