Mitchell Blair
University of Washington product Keith Price begins his professional career in hopes that another Husky has a successful career in the CFL and NFL.
Price owes his success to CFL Hall of Game Quarterback Warren Moon who became a sponsor for the 24 year old.
“Warren actually funded my scholarship at the University of Washington over my career there so I know him pretty well. He paid for all five years I was there. “Price confided. “He told me about the trials and tribulations he has been through, and he admitted he didn’t really want to come to the CFL in the first place, but he was so glad he did come though and he tore it up when he was here. Anytime I can hook up with him and get information is very beneficial to me, because I am like a sponge as I soak up every word he says because when he says stories like that, I say why not me. “
Price had a solid career with the Huskies capping off his college career with a 67-56 loss to Robert Griffin III and Baylor in the Alamo Bowl in a game where he threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns while running for another three.
Price went undrafted and when he couldn’t hook on with an NFL team, he signed with the Riders in 2014 before coming back just after the 2015 season started. He has been biding his time waiting for his opportunity and that pat on the shoulder finally came last week when he entered the game against the Edmonton Eskimos to start the 2nd quarter. On his first play, he hit Naaman Roosevelt for a touchdown as he went 7 of 9 for 93 yards. He says the debut was fine, but he knows he can improve as he prepares to get some reps against the Stampeders.
“I thought last week went well.” Price admitted. “I missed some reads and ended up checking the ball down so I have to be better with my eyes this week and continue playing football the way I know I can.”
Price says having some time last year to adapt to the Canadian game and the extra man was very beneficial for him when he returned and finally managed to see some game action.
“It doesn’t bother me now, but last year, it was like there were a million people on the field.” Price said. “It has been a long time coming, and it has been a couple of years since I could step on the field so it was good to stand in the pocket and take some hits. I knew the day would come where I would play in a game, but I didn’t know when or how soon it would be.”
Price’s journey to Washington and eventually the Riders may also not have happened had it not been for him getting some sound advice as a teenager. Price grew up in Compton, California which was not an ideal place to grow up as indicated in the popular movie that came out this summer “Straight Outta Compton.” Price believes the movie was a very accurate depiction of his hometown and says it was a place he had to get out of if he was going to make a name for himself.
“I was being a knucklehead when I was younger,” Price stated. “I was hanging around the wrong people. I wasn’t really the type of kid to do bad things, but I was a big-time follower. A lot of people think that just because I’m from Compton, I’m supposed to act a certain type of way, but that’s never been my M.O. People who are in my neighbourhood or people back home know what I do and know what I’m about.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders fans are also starting to find out what Price does and what he is all about and they will get a second chance to see it on Saturday when the Riders take on the Calgary Stampeders in the southern Alberta city in a 1 o’clock start.
