October 15, 2011
Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
When you look up the word ‘reclamation’ in the dictionary, you’ll find this definition:
A restoration, as to productivity, usefulness, or morality. Also:
The act of reclaiming or state of being reclaimed. And last but not least:
Rescuing from error and returning to a rightful course; “the reclamation of delinquent children”
Beside the work reclamation, there may be a picture of Jerome Messam. A problem child throughout college and in the early part of his CFL career. Right now he’s carrying the load for the Edmonton Eskimos as their feature running back. He just recorded his third 100 yard plus rushing game (118 yards, 20 carries, and one touchdown) on Thanksgiving Monday in a 17-1 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, earning him his fourth Canadian Player of the Week award. He currently sits third in the CFL with 775 yards rushing; he only needs to average 56 yards per game in the final four regular season games to reach the 1,000 yard plateau for the first time in his CFL career.
If it wasn’t for the Eskimos willingness to take a chance on Messam back in training camp, the 26-year-old from Toronto might be watching games from home rather than competing on the football field.
The journey of Jerome Messam shows a man with tremendous football talent playing under a cloud of off-field transgressions. He led Canada to victory at the 2005 Global Junior World Football Championships. He starred at North Dakota State College of Science in 2005 and 2006. He then moved to an NAIA school, Graceland University, in 2007 after being deemed academically ineligible to attend a Division One school. While attending mini-camp with the NFL’s New York Giants, a knee injury wiped out an entire year of football in 2008. He came back in 2009 and rushed for 1,075 yards and 12 touchdowns during his final year at Graceland. He was a top U.S. college prospect but was passed over in both the NFL and CFL drafts.
The BC Lions signed him as a free agent last season. He rushed for only 92 yards and scored two touchdowns. The signs of a troubled young man manifested itself in 2010. Before joining the Lions, he was charged with assault for an incident at a London, Ontario night club. He was involved in a locker room altercation with Lions teammate Paris Jackson, giving him a cracked jaw. During training camp this season, Messam broke team rules and was suspended. Head Coach and General Manager Wally Buono, along with his leadership group, decided it was time to move Messam along. Then came the trade to the Edmonton Eskimos where Head Coach Kavis Reed, along with his leadership group, decided to bring Messam in during the final week of training camp.
How big of a risk was it to bring in a reclamation project? Big! Especially with Messam’s history and with a team who in training camp was trying to establish a brand new identity. What the Eskimos couldn’t deny was his talent. Let’s face it, how many running backs are listed at 6’3 and 245 pounds and can still move like a gazelle?
I remember talking with Messam during his first practice with the green and gold. I tried to press him a little on what happened with the Lions. He wouldn’t go into specifics; in fact he’s never been specific about his past mistakes. He would rather not focus on the past. He has only admitted that he’s made mistakes and is thankful of the opportunity the Eskimos gave him; what everyone wants, a second chance.
Kavis Reed told Messam what he expected of him. He wanted no trouble from him; just work hard, be consistent, and perform at a high level.
Reed challenged Messam at the midway point of the season saying he needs a better work ethic. Messam recorded his second 100-yard rushing game of the season in Hamilton on September 16th. I asked Reed what he thought of the performance and he said he didn’t speak to Messam. No pats on the back, no praise. He wanted more consistency. Even though the Eskimos didn’t run the ball as much in the next two games, he was still reeling off a healthy five-yard average. When Messam was ejected for throwing a punch at the Lions Tad Kornegay in Vancouver, Reed stood by his tailback. Reed knows the formula. Challenge in the face of success, comfort in the face of adversity.
There’s no doubt Messam has the talent to be a dominant running back in the CFL. So far, he’s been a good Eskimo, meaning he’s kept his nose clean.
The team recently honoured former players Larry Wruck and Sean Fleming to their Wall of Honour. Two players who epitomized what it means to be an Eskimo. Work hard every day, an attitude of winning and being a champion in the community.
Hopefully Messam will be able to add those qualities to his immense abilities.
NOTES: The Eskimos have lost another centre in Kyle Koch who suffered a left knee injury in the team’s 17-1 win over the Riders. Head Coach Kavis Reed says he’s treating the injury as though it’s season-ending. Gord Hinse will take over the centre position. Aaron Fiacconi is already out for the season with a shoulder injury. The Eskimos completed a trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders acquiring import running back Hugh Charles in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2014 Canadian College Draft. He has 697 combined yards and has scored three touchdowns this season.