Two Rams enter professional ranks

Richards looks to make yet another catch./Arthur Ward

Addison Richards and Tevaughn Campbell look to perform at the next level

Since our last issue, the good news has come hard and fast for former Rams athletes.

Long snapper Jorgen Hus, previously of the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and, most recently, the St. Louis Rams, has returned to the same city limits where he played from the 2009 season until the conclusion of the 2012 campaign. The Riders acquired his rights from the Edmonton Eskimos earlier this month.

But, Rams athletes have not just been making noise north of the border. Former All-Canadian cornerback and CIS track and field medalist Tevaughn Campbell, along with wide receiver and East-West Bowl attendee Addison Richards, were both invited to a rookie mini-camp with the New York Giants, along with fellow Rams alum and former Calgary Stampeder, Brett Jones. Campbell made an extra stop for a camp of the same type with the Washington Redskins.

The 2015 CFL combine and subsequent draft brought with it even more green and gold-tinged good news. The combine is an event where the CFL’s biggest and brightest prospects are put through their paces so that GMs, scouts, and other football operations personnel can evaluate those who attend. Being in tip-top shape is a prerequisite for a good showing, and an athlete’s performance can either make or break their chance at a high draft position. South of the border, NFL prospects go through weeks and weeks of preparation in anticipation of the combine, held each year in Indianapolis. Richards gave us some insight of what his version of preparation looked like.

“I was sticking to my normal routine, staying in the weight room, running and catching balls every chance I got. The CFL combine was the biggest event on the schedule. I probably would have liked to have tested better, but once the pads came on and we did actual football drills I think I showed well. Then it was back to work, business as usual leading up to draft day.”

A draft day that saw him go to the team everyone loves to hate, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with the eleventh pick. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Campbell set a CFL electronically timed record of 4.335 in the 40-yard dash, showing the speed that made him shine on the CIS’ podium last season. His statistics led to him being selected in the third round by the Stamps.

In addition to both players’ CFL prospects, as mentioned, the two have had the opportunity to taste NFL success. When asked about it, Richards was realistic about his NFL aspirations, but pointed out the positive aspects of his experience.

“I think every player thinks about the NFL at some point, it’s the highest level of play that can be reached. If that opportunity is there, I will definitely chase it. If not, being a CFL player is fine with me… The facilities were incredible, the practices were up-tempo, and the coaches were great. I’m glad I had that chance and I hope to have more chances down south in the future. ”

Whatever side of the border Richards finds success on, he says that he has much to take away from his time as a Ram.

“Nothing that has ever happened on the field can take away from the friendships that I have made playing here.”

It shall be interesting to watch the development of two Rams products as they transition to the next level and chase the professional dream.