Sports enthusiasts often have a soft spot for little athletes. We’re seeing it with the Canadiens with Cole Caufield, while the Alouettes could well count on Tyler Snead next season.
Snead, who is 1.70 meters tall and weighs 70 kilograms, curses among the many American passport recipients en route to the Alouettes’ current training camp in Trois-Rivières. He knows better than anyone that his position is not won, even if the leaders have had good words for him so far.
“I wasn’t genetically spoiled, but my dad used to tell me as a kid not to feel inferior but to make it a motivation and show courage,” said the 23-year-old athlete, who hails from Raleigh, North Carolina . I always kept that in mind and played football like I was 1.90 meters tall. In reality, at 5’7, I still have to do the dirty work of blocking my opponents, and that’s not a problem for me. I work as hard as I can on every game.”
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While the comparison to Caufield is appropriate given their similar height and weight, Snead also admits that he loves hockey. He’s been following the Hurricanes’ performance since the start of the playoffs.
“I love hockey and we’re in the Eastern finals now,” he remarked with a smile. I will try to watch the next games as often as possible. I hope they win the Stanley Cup. We have a good coach in Rod Brind’Amour. I also played baseball against his son when I was younger.
A precious ball at home
Snead returned to his own football career, representing the East Carolina University Pirates from 2018 to 2021. During the 2022 preseason, he also joined the ranks of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers at the Jaguars on August 20 in Jacksonville after a pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
“It was a great experience, in my second preseason game I scored the decisive touchdown and my family was there,” he said. It was a dream come true and a special moment for my dad and me. I also kept the ball.
“At the end of the day, I just want to play football, anywhere, and I want to take that opportunity with the Alouettes,” Snead was quick to add.
Long live the descent in motion!
A specific regulation by the Canadian Football League (CFL) could also help the American to win. He can actually use his high speed to fool defense because, unlike the NFL, receivers on the Ambrosie Circuit can get into offensive streaks before the ball is even picked up.
“I knew some rules were different in the CHL and I’m getting used to moving starts and three-down football,” he said. I like that. I understand the game a little better and I’m excited about it.
Alternatively, Snead could be an option as a kick return specialist. In this position he also accompanies Chandler Worthy during this training camp.
“Chandler helps me a lot in this role,” Snead remarked, implying that the position automatically went to Worthy. Any way I can help the team, I’ll do it.
- Canadian defender Lwal Uguak arrived at the Alouettes camp in Trois-Rivières on Thursday morning. The Montreal club announced the day before that they had approved this first-round pick, their seventh overall, in the recent CFL draft. Uguak recently attended minicamp for the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants.