Two members of the Calgary Stampeders – offensive lineman Dan Federkeil, 32, and defensive lineman Quinn Smith, 24, dropped by Westview Co-op in Olds last week for a barbecue and autograph session.
Among those lining up for autographs and photos were members of the Olds High School Spartans football team.
Smith was pleased to be able to pose with them because he remembers what it was like when he was growing up and playing high school football in Scarborough, Ont., a suburb of Toronto.
“I mean, when I went to high school, any chance you got to meet a pro was a special moment,” he said. “It kind of gives you a little inspiration to know that a local guy like him made it.”
This past week, Smith was suspended for three games after testing positive for a banned substance (methandienone), under the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA) drug policy.
Federkeil was described as a great influence for kids. In 2007, he helped the Indianapolis Colts win Super Bowl XLI, beating the Chicago Bears 29-17. In 2014, he helped the Stampeders win the Grey Cup as they downed the Hamilton Tiger Cats 20-16.
At the time of the barbecue, Federkeil was on the verge of getting back on the field with the Stamps after being diagnosed with tendinitis.
“I got a shot for it about four or five weeks ago now, so just kind of waiting for things to finish calming down,” he said.
Smith also has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries – especially last year.
This past Sunday, the Stampeders played the second of two back-to-back games against the Edmonton Eskimos – the rubber match of the annual Labour Day matchup between the two.
The Stampeders won the first game 45-24 in Calgary. On Sunday night the Stamps won 34-28 in double overtime.
The first game exemplified some of Quinn's concerns about the Stampeders' ability to finish a team off. At one point before halftime, they led the Esks 21-0.
“Right now we're winning a lot of games, but I think we'd all like to kind of separate ourselves from the pack. I mean, we're winning a lot of games but I think there's been a few times where we've kind of let the other team come back late; we've kind of let the foot off the gas a bit,” he said.
“That's what we're trying to work on right now.”
"I mean, when I went to high school, any chance you got to meet a pro was a special moment. It kind of gives you a little inspiration to know that a local guy like him made it."QUINN SMITH DEFENSIVE LINEMAN CALGARY STAMPEDERS
