It’s great to get this contract extension and to be staying with the Stampeders for many years to come.

I just love playing for Calgary. There’s just no other way to put it. Calgary supports me and I support them back. I love the city and I love the fans . . . and I know they love me back the same way. Why wouldn’t I play someplace that I love?

It’s hard to believe I’ve already been here this long. The four years went by fast. But there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

There were some highlights for me during the 2011 season, like scoring my first CFL touchdown, but the way I look at it is that there are a lot more highlights to come. That’s the way I look at things.

It should have been two touchdowns that I scored last year — that’s what I’m training for right now. So when I get put in that position again like I was on that interception return against Saskatchewan, no one is catching me. And I’m NOT looking back.

My off-season has been pretty good. It’s been nothing except for training, lifting weights and just spending time with my family. I’m one of those guys who really doesn’t take a complete break from training. I might work out light, but I still stay after the weights and do some running to keep up with my conditioning.

I went back and forth between Calgary and my hometown of Saginaw this off-season and also doing some travelling here and there. I went down to the Super Bowl and saw one of my friends — Tracy White of the Patriots — in Indianapolis. I’m going to Atlantic City pretty soon and then to Jamaica.

After that, it’s all about the 2012 football season. I can’t wait to get started.

Charleston Hughes, #39
>> Hughes bio