Rookie Stamps quarterback Kyle Vantrease trades in his mic to get back on the field
Kyle Vantrease spent five seasons at the University of Buffalo before transferring to Georgia Southern for the final year of his college career.
That’s when the 25-year-old really came into his own. Vantrease completed 340 of 630 passes for 4,247 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Despite a record-setting career, Vantrease wasn’t drafted, although he did spend some time in mini-camps with the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Bucaneers.
With his quarterbacking prospects dwindling, Vantrease says he thought he’d try his hand at every former quarterback's favourite fallback gig: broadcasting.
“Last year I was a sideline reporter at Georgia Southern which was a lot of fun,” said Vantrease.
“Getting back on the field there and getting to experience some of the Georgia Southern atmosphere in Paulson Stadium was a lot for fun for me to get back out there.
"Even though I wasn’t playing," he said, "it felt like I was still part of the team.”
Trading in his mic for a football
After a year away, Vantrease was itching to get back onto the field to do what he does best, being a quarterback.
So he traded in his mic for a playbook and signed with the Stampeders.
Vantrease says it’s great to be back.
“It’s been a year really since I’ve been able to put on shoulder pads and a helmet,” he said.
“It was cool to be on the sideline but there’s nothing like walking out there on the field and getting to throw, hearing the whistle blow and you’re part of it.”
“It’s special being back out on the field and today (Wednesday) was awesome for me," he added. "It helps you almost fall back in love with the game over and over again every time you walk out there. I’m excited for tomorrow.”
Stiff competition
The quarterback room is full in Calgary so Vantrease will have to be at his best if he wants to make the team.
Head coach Dave Dickenson says it’s all about being noticed.
“You really have to take advantage of your reps,” said Dickenson.
“Most of the rookie practice the veterans are just watching and I don’t really have them take any live reps. Two of the other rookies were here all of last year so Kyle has got to make sure he keeps working hard and takes advantage of his reps.”
Ready for the challenge
Vantrease says he learned a lot in the time he spent with the Colts and Buccaneers and will use that in his tryout with the Stampeders.
“The expectations that I have is I just need to go in and make the most of every opportunity,” he said.
“Whether that’s in a team setting or whether that’s just throwing and showing off my arm," he added. "Getting in the film room and asking questions and making sure I’m on top of my stuff and when I get out there on the field I’m prepared and ready to make the most of this opportunity.”
Vantrease and the rookies don’t have a lot of time to make an impression. Main camp gets underway Sunday, so you know plenty of cuts are coming.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Tick season is underway in Ontario. Here's how to protect yourself
Tick season is well underway and there is a new species of ticks causing new diseases, which is why you need to take steps to protect yourself.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not, but you might stick with it
As weight-loss plans go, it's easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day.
Daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt files court petition to remove father's last name
A daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork to legally remove "Pitt" from her name on the day she turned 18.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
Japan billionaire Maezawa cancels moon trip due to uncertainty over SpaceX rocket development
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa on Saturday canceled his planned flight around the moon on a SpaceX vehicle because of uncertainty about when it may be possible.
A climate activist in Paris stuck a protest poster on Monet's 'Poppy Field'
An environmental activist was detained Saturday after sticking a protest sign to a Monet painting in Paris' famed Orsay Museum.
North Korea is sending more trash-carrying balloons to South Korea
North Korea launched more trash-carrying balloons toward the South after a similar campaign earlier in the week, according to South Korea's military, in what Pyongyang calls retaliation for activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border.