Stampeders defensive back Shaquille St-Lot battles against the odds to make the team
Shaquille St-Lot was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the seventh round of the 2022 CFL draft.
It was a big gamble by the Stamps, because St-Lot hadn't played a football game since 2019.
While at the University of Maine, COVID-19 shut down sports and he suffered a devastating ACL injury that had to be operated on twice.
"After that, it was a big rollercoaster of a lot of ups and downs … I thought I was pretty much done at this point, but I just kept staying positive, kept praying and kept fighting through it," he said.
MAKING THE TEAM
The 26-year-old admits he was anxious coming into camp.
He hadn't been on the football field since 2019, and he wasn't sure what he could do.
Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson was impressed with the rookie and says he's earned a chance to stick around.
"He's been competing well as he can, and I feel like he has a chance to be on (the roster) and hopefully he's out there doing well," Dickenson said.
PROVED A LOT TO HIMSELF
The rookie defensive back says family helped him get through all the tough times. He has six brothers and they always encouraged him to keep his dream alive.
St-Lot says he's grateful every time he gets to put the pads on.
"I proved to myself that I'm capable of anything that I put my mind to," he said.
"it's time for me to keep building up and just keep boosting my confidence back up.
"Hopefully I can start making plays for the Stamps now."
St-Lot and the Stamps open up the regular season on Thursday night against the B.C. Lions at McMahon stadium.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.