By Terry Jones
Pat Watkins won a Grey Cup in his first year in the CFL. With the one in his fourth year last season he’s batting .500. Not bad.
Usually the first time is the best because there is only one first time. But that’s not the way it worked for Watkins.
“The overall experience was great both times. I got to experience the overall atmosphere. The big difference was in this one I actually got to play in it and make my own impact on the game.
“With Toronto I got hurt in the crossover semi-final game against Edmonton, ironically. I was able to enjoy this one on the field contributing to my team.”
Pat Watkins, 33, is an interesting study.
Watkins grew up in Tallahassee, Fla. And at the age of seven he was playing football.
“It was helmets and full contact. I fell in love with it at a young age. I love the sport and I love playing it and I’m going to keep playing it until I can’t play anymore.”
He won two state titles in high school.
He was in high demand.
“Almost everyone offered me. I took my visits to Georgia, USC, Florida State and Miami.”
He chose Florida State.
Watkins spent four years with the Seminoles, won a couple more championships, played 49 straight games and was among the ACC’s leaders in interceptions with seven. He also recorded 133 defensive tackles in his final two years.
“The draft was a pretty crazy day for me. Honestly I thought I was going to be drafted high. I went fifth round. I thought I was a lot better than fifth round.”
So there was disappointment. On the other hand, the team that picked him was the Dallas Cowboys.
“I was extremely ecstatic because growing up I was a huge Florida State and Dallas Cowboys fan. When you hear your name being called by the Dallas Cowboys and you’re like me and that’s your favorite teams growing up … well, all I could think about was that I was actually going to be a Cowboy.
“In my fourth year with the Cowboys, that’s when I hurt my knee. Going into my fifth year at training camp my knee started giving me trouble. They released me.
“I went to San Diego and made it and played really well until I injured the knee again to the point where I actually had to have surgery on it.”
At the time he had no concept he’d finally find what he was looking or in the Canadian Football League.
For most players who have earned four or five years of NFL money and managed to save most of it, having your NFL career come to an end because of a string of injuries would be enough football to last you your lifetime.
But Watkins felt cheated out of his chance to find out if he could be all that he could be. And that’s what last year’s Grey Cup and this year’s chance to repeat the feat are all about.
“I got to play football. I was happy again … I just wanted to step on the field again.”
Watkins said all his goals are team-oriented on this side of the border because he’s playing the game for all the right reasons and that’s where the satisfaction comes from.
“Everything is all about the team. I’ve had a winning record every year we’ve played after being 9-9 the first year and winning the Grey Cup,” he said of an 11-7 record in his second season in Toronto and 12-6 and 14-4 records in Edmonton.
“I believe this team has a chance to be around the Grey Cup a few times in the coming seasons. As long as we keep our attitude and understand what we put into it is what we get out of it. I think we have a great shot.”
Being a veteran leader in a group where there’s been the infusion of new talent is a role he’s definitely embracing.
“It’s actually a role I’m extremely familiar with. It’s a role where I’m trying to be one of the lead dogs and helping to bring guys along. I’ve always understood that with communication comes confidence. Simple communication can play a big part in the game. Communication has always been a big part of my game.”