The Toronto Argonauts look to begin their journey back to Canadian Football League respectability this weekend, taking on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BMO Field, down on Toronto’s lakeshore, and the Boatmen are hoping to have every seat filled.
Many of those will likely be related to Barrie native Kyle Graves.
“There’s a sense of coming home,” says Graves, 27, a graduate of Bear Creek Secondary, and a three-year veteran of the CFL, until now with the Montreal Alouettes. “My family and my extended family could likely be there on Sunday.” He says that gives him some extra incentive to have a good game and a good season.”
Kyle spent his university football career with the Acadia Axemen, where he compiled some impressive statistics as a quarterback, passing for 5,433 yards – an Acadia record – completing 418 of those passes, and 39 for touchdowns. After being passed over in the CFL draft – for the league is not an hospitable place for homegrown college quarterbacks – he joined the Alouettes as a free agent in 2012.
For so many years, the Montrealers enjoyed Grey Cup success under Marc Trestman, the Als’ head coach. Trestman, who now runs the Good Ship Argo, had bolted for the NFL by the time Kyle went to Montreal. But Marc and Kyle’s paths ran across each others after Graves’ fourth year at Acadia.
“I attended one of coach Trestman’s quarterback development camp, and that’s where I met him, just before my fifth year in the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sports).”
It was soon after joining the Alouettes that Kyle made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver, at the instigation of Montreal’s then-GM Jim Popp (now general manager in Toronto).
Trestman, who has also held head coaching spots with the Chicago Bears in the NFL, has Graves’ unqualified support.
“He brings motivation, a love and passion for the game, which just influences us to work a little harder and maintain that togetherness.”
The Tabbies boast a solid quarterback in Zach Collaros, and are “a great team across the board, not only on offense, but also on defense, and have a number of stars on special teams.”
“But if we come together and play ‘Argo football’ like I know we can, I’m sure we’ll come out on top.”
Kyle Graves makes his Argo debut Sunday at BMO Field against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kickoff time is 4 p.m. For tickets, and information, click here.
