Athletes across North America have arrived for the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp in Saskatoon.
The first three practice days of camp are reserved for first-year players. They serve as a crash course in the nuances of the Canadian game and an opportunity for the athletes to absorb the playbook before veterans arrive.
Phalen Sanford is one of 54 players who have been on the field this week. Sanford’s football resume includes a stop with the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL after a five-year career at the University of Nebraska, where he flourished as a walk-on.
The five-foot-eleven, 195-pound defensive back is happy with his grasp on the Canadian game.
“It probably wasn't as much of a change-up as I expected. It feels like any other football camp I've been a part of, even though there are 12 men, the field's bigger, and there's some different stuff going on on the field. It's still football at the end of the day, run to the ball and try to take the ball away.”
The 25-year-old Phalen is used to auditioning.
“Coming from a walk-on in college, I had to earn my spot. Then into the NFL, going through a training camp with them, I had to earn my spot and I'm doing it again here.”
Sanford's biggest adjustment so far has been recognizing there are 12 players on the field, one more than in the American game he grew up with.
“There's more receivers running around, motioning and stuff, but being in the back of the defence, seeing everything in front of me, I'm still getting used to seeing an extra guy out there.”
At Nebraska, Sanford was well-respected for his special teams play, which can be seen on numerous highlight reels on the internet. The Benkelman, Nebraska native agrees that special teams play in Canada is different, especially with the five-yard halo around returners prior to them catching the ball on punts.
“The halo rule is different. It involves slowing all your momentum just to start going again when you get close. There are some different rules, the rouge. I'm trying to figure all that out, but at the end of the day, football is football.”
In addition to his talents on the field, Sanford is an accomplished musician and his guitar skills are on full display on social media.
“I've been playing guitar for a long time. I haven't sung in a long time, but I love playing guitar and hope I'll get it up here pretty soon after camp.”
For now, Sanford hopes to strike a chord with the Riders coaching staff so that he can continue pursuing his dream of playing professional football.
“I focus on myself and want to become the best football player that I can be, and however the coaches shake that out at the end, I'll respect and accept.”
Roughriders training camp continues in Saskatoon through May 23.
