Stampeders defensive stalwart Derek Wiggan tackles his 100th game this weekend
When Derek Wiggan was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the fourth round of the 2014 CFL draft, he thought he'd be trying to make the team as a defensive end.
But the Stamps had other things in mind for the Queen's University product. They wanted him at defensive tackle, which was a one-size bigger position than he was at the time. Wiggan went back to school that year and knew he had to gain a lot more weight if he was going to last in the CFL trenches on the defensive line.
"When I first got there (Queens), I didn't know I was going to play defensive tackle," Wiggan said. "When I got here I was about 250 pounds (113 kilos) so I was like I don't know if I could play 100 games at my weight back then."
That was 99 games ago and counting.
PUTTING IN THE WORK
Back at Queen's, Wiggan went to work gaining weight and muscle. W hen he returned to Calgary in 2015, he made the team and he's been a fixture on the defensive line ever since.
Wiggan now tips the scales at 138 kilograms (305 pounds) and Stampeder coach Dave Dickenson said he means a lot to the team.
"I love his enthusiasm and he's a good player too," Dickenson aid.
"He doesn't get the notoriety that others get but when you play in the trenches and basically (it's) hand to hand combat every day you know what to do. It's a warfare in there and he's done a great job."
The 30-year-old Wiggan says he's not worried that he doesn't get the same amount of attention as other players. In fact, he'd be alright if he didn't get any at all.
DOESN'T NEED ATTENTION
The 30-year-old Wiggan said he's not worried that he doesn't get the same amount of attention as other players. In fact, he'd be fine if he didn't get any at all.
"Oh I prefer it that way. I'd prefer that you guys don't even know my name," he laughed.
"I'm just all about doing my job and making sure we win games. That's the number one thing for me. I'll get rewarded with the rings, the good times, the contracts and all of that stuff. I don't need the publicity."
RESPECT FROM TEAMMATE
What is important to Wiggan is that he has the respect of his teammates. Fellow defensive lineman Mike Rose said everyone looks up to Wiggan.
"I mean he's the leader of the defensive line," Rose said.
"He's the Batman and the rest of us are Robin and the gang. He does all the dirty work. He does the hard jobs. He's kind of like a plumber, he does all the stuff no one else wants to do but we all need him."
DOING HIS TALKING ON THE FIELD
Playing in his 100th game is a big accomplishment for Derek Wiggan. He may not get the headlines but you know he'll always do the job. Wiggan said he'd always preferred to do his talking on the field.
"I don't need all the fancy stuff. You know guys see the work I put in and I think they know and appreciate it."
That much we are sure of Derek. Wiggan plays his 100th game against the Lions on Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff is 4:00 pm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.