It’s such a great environment here at training camp with the Stampeders. It’s so different from CIS football. It’s great to see all the athletes around here and it’s great to be around them. It helps you become a better athlete.
It’s a lot faster at this level, the guys are bigger . . . I haven’t had a chance to notice the strength yet but come Saturday or Sunday when we’re in full pads, I’m pretty sure we’ll get to know that.
I was very anxious going into camp. The anxiety kicked in last night and I was surprised I got in a really good sleep. Coming out here onto the field, as soon as I started running around, I got comfortable because we were playing football.
I was the last player selected in the draft this year and I’m still carrying that around with me. That’s just fuel in my tank. They say you’re Mr. Irrelevant when you’re picked last, and I embrace that. I want to be able to come here and it’s just another way I want to be able to prove people wrong.
Being born in Brazil, it’s been an unusual path for me to get here. I always played soccer until I was 12 or 13 and then I came to high school here in Canada, put on the pads and fell in love with the game. Ever since then, it’s been my passion.
I did my Grade 7 and Grade 8 in Brazil and that’s when I played a lot of soccer. When I came back to Canada, I had lost my English a little bit after speaking Portugese constantly for two years. So when I got into high school, I wanted to get to know people and everybody was into football and so I got into the sport so that I could get in with the crowd. I fell in love with it and I’m very thankful for that.
Playing football was a major change for my family. My mom didn’t understand why I was putting my body through all of this. I’d come home and put ice packs all over the place and she was like: “Why are you playing this game? You’re doing so much damage to your body!” But really, anyone who doesn’t play football just doesn’t understand.
Now that I’m here at training camp with the Stamps, I’m just going to be myself. That’s what got me here. Obviously, I’ve got to do a little extra but I’m just going to run to the ball, fly around and get in that playbook.
Wilkerson DeSouza, #41
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