Many kids dream about playing for their local CFL team when they’re growing up. Not many get the chance.
Over the years, there have been plenty of local kids who have worn the Edmonton Eskimos uniform, becoming front-line players.
There’s even some on the 2016 version of the team.
Safety Neil King along with offensive linemen Simeon Rottier and David Beard are now in the middle of it all.
As players, they can now appreciate what an important part of the season this series is in the course of the season.
Of the trio, King was the most enthusiastic about the Labour Day weekend, travelling to Calgary with his buddies to take in several games over the years.
“Labour Day was definitely something that you always circle on the calendar looking on the schedule,” said King.
“We used to go to Calgary when I was with the Wildcats. We always used to have battles with the Colts, so it is definitely something I grew up with. Labour Day is a huge part of the season.
“Whenever I had the opportunity, I’d definitely be going down to Calgary to watch these guys play. As much as I could, I would definitely go down for the game and definitely try to make it there.”
In his three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before returning to Edmonton this season, King experienced the Tabbies/Argos rivalry during their Labour Day series. Somehow, though, it wasn’t quite the same.
“It was definitely a great experience being in Hamilton and being involved in the Hamilton/Toronto rivalry,” King said. “They’re kinda down the road from each other like Edmonton and Calgary is. It was cool to experience that but I grew up experiencing the Labour Day Classic so it’s something that I’m definitely excited about.”
He’d have liked to watch his brother Ryan play for the Eskimos in the Calgary/Edmonton tilts but the Ti-Cats/Argos game usually happened on the same day.
“When I was out east, I was definitely focusing on our games. I was definitely paying attention,” King said.
Even though he would have liked to get more into it, Rottier had other duties to attend to on his family farm near Westlock.
“We were always harvesting around Labour Day, but we always knew that Edmonton/Calgary is a great rivalry,” said Rottier. “Whether it’s hockey or football or playing university, it didn’t matter. We always wanted to beat Calgary.”
After being drafted No. 1 overall by Hamilton in 2009, Rottier has been a front-line performer for the Eskimos since 2012.
“Labour Day is a pretty huge deal and it’s fun to be part of it,” said Rottier. “I was always listening to Bryan Hall and John Farlinger. Farlie and Hallsy, that’s who I remember in the grain truck every summer. It was good times listening. We only had AM radio in those trucks. FM was kinda sketchy. We’d listen to all the games.”
Beard was a sports fan but much of his focus as a youngster went to trying to become the best basketball player he could be.
“It’s pretty obvious the competition between Calgary and Edmonton is huge,” said Beard. “It’s passionate. You see it in the players. You see it in the fans. It’s a huge event the province values and we enjoy so much. It’s been evident to me the competition is lasting … it’s been going on a long time and has become kind of a legend in itself.”