It’s a new season and it’s game day!
Every does something a little different to prepare for the game but for myself, I definitely like to sleep in. So I try to sleep in as long as I can, grab breakfast . . . and then I go back to sleep!
And then, maybe at around one o’clock in the afternoon for a seven o’clock kickoff, I’ll get up and have my pre-game meal and have a shower. The pre-game meal is usually always the same thing — I get some roasted chicken, rice and some veggies on the side.
Also, for me, my game prep is very spiritual. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to step on the field and play and so I take a little bit of time to reflect on the good things that God has done for me.
Once you get in the locker-room, you start getting your mind ready to perform at a high level, whether it’s just going over your plays quickly or listening to some good music. Another good thing is that Rodd Sawatzky, our team chaplain, does the team chapel pre-game and I’m there on time every game day. I’ll never miss that because that definitely gets me in the right mindset to perform at the level I need to perform.
And then, after all that is said and done, you suit up and get out there. It’s an exciting time and it’s a lot of fun. It’s just a matter of getting out there and being ready.
My routine has been pretty much solidified over the last five years and it’s not going to change.
This is my sixth opening day in the CFL and the excitement level for the start of a new season is always the same. I mean, to be able to come out here and play football in front of 30 or 40,000 people on a weekly basis is such an amazing opportunity and I’m so happy and thankful to have the opportunity. It never gets old — I’m always excited and just ready to go.
You know, every year is special because you never know how things are going to change from year to year. If you even look from last year to this year, a lot of things have changed. In the CFL, things change sometimes on a weekly basis. So when you look at the group of guys you have, you have to understand the reality that we may not all be together next year.
So that’s why I believe each year is equally special. With this group of guys, we’re close and we’re tight and we want to win and because we don’t know what next year might bring, we want to win now.
Arjei Franklin, #87
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