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The quarterback made a visit dwelling to go to his father, who’s battling Stage 4 lung most cancers. “They acknowledge, as a household, that I form of have to be right here, and I wish to be right here clearly.”
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Tuesday morning, regardless of being hundreds of miles away visiting household, Davis Alexander ensured he participated through video convention within the day by day assembly for Alouettes quarterbacks, figuring out he would miss that day’s follow however had a recreation to organize for.
It was 5 a.m. in Arizona.
“I believe individuals on the workforce understand how critical I take this,” Alexander stated Wednesday, following follow at St-Léonard’s Stade Hébert. “I knew I additionally needed to go see my household. I’m very appreciative of the group. They advised me I didn’t need to return and will miss the sport.
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“As a household, significantly my dad … he wouldn’t have needed me to overlook something in any respect, to be trustworthy. It’s a tricky state of affairs.”
Most who observe the Als are actually properly conscious Alexander’s father, Matt, is battling Stage 4 lung most cancers. The non-smoker and former skilled rugby participant is 56.
His son grew to become the Als’ beginning quarterback within the second half of a July 25 recreation towards Saskatchewan, rallying Montreal from a 13-point deficit for a comeback victory. Montreal hasn’t misplaced since, profitable twice extra with Alexander because the starter, changing the injured Cody Fajardo.
The Als have activated Fajardo for Friday night time’s street recreation towards the Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium (9 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM), though he’s listed on the depth chart behind Alexander, who is predicted to begin. Whereas Fajardo, who spent three seasons with Saskatchewan earlier than becoming a member of Montreal in 2023 as a free agent, is offered, the Als anticipate to proceed driving Alexander’s sizzling hand. Fajardo, named probably the most beneficial participant in final season’s Gray Cup, practised twice this week.
Street to the Cup
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“If (Fajardo) is on the roster, he might play at any level,” head coach Jason Maas stated. “Everyone is aware of when Cody’s able to play, he’ll be taking part in.”
What stays to be decided is Alexander’s psychological state heading into the sport. Whereas he tried to assuage any fears when assembly the media this week, he flew dwelling Sunday, following the Als’ Saturday night time victory towards Hamilton, and didn’t return till midnight Tuesday. He took the sphere Wednesday on 4 hours’ sleep and wasn’t sharp at follow.
“It’s an unlucky state of affairs, however I’m again right here now and prepared for the sport,” he stated. “I’ll be able to go. It’s good to be out right here with the blokes, in fact, cracking jokes. On the identical time, you wish to be there for the individuals who supported you.
“We’re a household that’s struggling. You wish to be there with them. However they acknowledge, as a household, that I form of have to be right here, and I wish to be right here clearly. It’s a tricky in-between spot.
“It was good to be out right here at this time, though I’d say I used to be a bit rusty, a bit off,” added Alexander, 25, who’s in his third season with Montreal. “I’m not likely fearful about it. I simply have to get better a bit — get again into recreation mode. By Friday, by (Thursday), I’ll be OK. Able to go.”
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If anybody can empathize with Alexander, it’s Anthony Calvillo, his place coach. The legendary former Als quarterback led Montreal to the Gray Cup in 2010 regardless of a possible most cancers prognosis looming. Calvillo sustained an damage to his sternum that season. In January 2011, docs found a lesion on his thyroid, which turned out to be cancerous.
“It all the time comes again to the person,” Calvillo stated of Alexander. “He’s been coping with this for some time now. It’s highly effective whenever you’re coping with one thing, whether or not it’s you personally or somebody you’re keen on, and also you’re not with them the whole time. I do know there was loads of communication going forwards and backwards. It’s a life battle, one thing that’s laborious to elucidate.
“I really do imagine soccer is a distraction,” Calvillo added. “Your thoughts’s so targeted on preparing. He looks as if he’s been right here and never missed a day. That’s him. We simply don’t know what’s happening inside mentally. It comes right down to the person and the way he’s capable of deal with it. Based mostly on expertise, he’s doing an important job for the reason that (October) prognosis.”
In 10 quarters of soccer, Alexander has accomplished 51 of 69 passes for 687 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has been intercepted as soon as and fumbled as soon as. He additionally has rushed seven instances for 56 yards. It would assist him figuring out he had success towards the Riders three weeks in the past.
“They’re a very good workforce with a very good defence,” he stated. “However we discovered we might transfer the ball on them. We must always have a little bit of confidence going into this recreation. I think about it’ll be a loopy environment. I’m excited for it. You actually stay for video games like this. A minimum of I do.”
Former Als quarterback Trevor Harris returns as Saskatchewan’s starter after struggling a knee damage in late June. Tailback AJ Ouellette additionally returns. The 5-foot-9, 210-pounder might show a handful for Montreal’s defence.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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