CFL Draft Day Memories

April 11, 2003 - Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release

Following the 2001 CIS season, I had two major goals that I had set for myself: First, to finish my degree by April 2002, and the other, to be drafted that same month. Although April would be quite busy for me, that month would turn out to be nothing more than an evaluation of what I had accomplished. That is why immediately following my season, I began preparing for the CFL Evaluation Camp, which was to be held in March 2002. I began by sending my highlight tapes to all nine CFL clubs. Furthermore, I met with the trainers of the Laval Rouge et Or, Raymond Veillette and Marc Fortier. I had decided that it would be more beneficial for me to aim for the CFL Camp, and not for the 2002 season itself, which would be different than what the other players were doing. Raymond and Marc supported my efforts for those four months of preparation.

The weekend of the camp finally arrived. I knew I was ready. I trained like a maniac and I knew I was at my peak, both physically and mentally. All that was left for me to do was to prove to all the CFL coaches present what I could do, and in only two days. I was aware that the camp is probably the best springboard towards the CFL, but it is also a two-edged sword, because if I would perform poorly, it would reduce my chances of getting drafted. Nevertheless, I was confident because, thanks to my preparation, I was ready.

After that weekend, I told myself: "Mission accomplished!" My performances in the tests went very well, as did my one-on-ones. I really felt that I had distanced myself from the crowd, which is what I had wanted. This allowed all the pressure to flow away because I had done everything that I could. The ball was now in their court, so all I had to do was wait for the day of the draft - while training for training camp.

April 25. My friends and I were locked in front of the computer for the Internet simulcast of the draft, and anxiously waited for the beginning of the draft to be announced. We did not have long to wait for the first name to appear: Alexandre Gauthier of Laval University. I was completely ecstatic. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a joke. A few minutes later, the phone rang, and was Eric Tillman, general manager of the Ottawa Renegades on the line, calling to not only to congratulate me, but to say that a plane ticket was waiting for me at the airport to take me to a press conference that afternoon in Ottawa. I was floating in mid-air, already on that plane which would carry me to a new life.

April was an emotional month for me. To put icing on the cake, I completed all my requirements for my degree in Physical Education the following week. Both my goals were realized, and I was off to a life that I had dreamed of for the last few years. I now had to work just as hard to keep what I had worked for so hard for so long in order to continue to live the dream. It is precisely when all those dreams do come true that one understands why one must not quit when things become quite difficult. I wish you could all live moments as touching and intense as the ones I lived through. Whether it be in football or in other endeavours, perseverance and determination will bring you to success.

Alexandre Gauthier
Ottawa Renegades

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