My parents were the first people I called with the news that I had made the team.

I had the sad tone and I told my mom to put the phone on speaker and to tell my dad to come in the room, too. I had the sad voice and then I snuck it in at the end that I made the team and they just went crazy. I’m family first. My mom and dad have been together for 33 years and I have an older brother, older sister and a younger brother. So family is really important to me.

I don’t know if they are going to be up here Friday, but if I was a betting man I would think that my dad would probably find a way to get my family up here somehow, someway. If not, then definitely for the next home game.

It’s nice to have a real locker and a real wide receiver number. I think that’s really when it hit for real, when I walked in this morning and saw everything. I’m just a blessed individual — to be a rookie, be injured during training camp and still be here. There were a lot of rookie wideouts who came and left while I was here. I had the opportunity to still be here, showcase my talent and that was what I was able to do.

I wore #78 in training camp and when I made the team I was able to change jersey numbers. Originally I picked 88 and then when 84 became available I had to take it. Randy Moss is probably the first person that comes to mind with 84. I don’t really model my game after him, but he was a playmaker as a rookie in the NFL so if the opportunity occurs, I want to do the same thing.

All of the receivers have been helpful throughout camp, specifically Joe West just because he plays similar positions as I do. The whole time that he was out and unable to practise, he was always in my ear in the meeting rooms and on the field telling me tips. He’s also been in the league so just being able to grasp that information from a veteran who has a year under his belt was just very beneficial. Mo Price was the same way. All the receivers really have a say-so and tips and things that I took away and also applied it to my game as a wideout.

I like the CFL because more passes is always great for a wide receiver and you have more opportunities to catch the ball. The wider field, especially when we have motion like that, it’s an advantage that we have.  It definitely was an adjustment, but it was a good adjustment because you have more field to run. That’s what you need to do as a wideout is run and catch the ball.

I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization and be a part of this team. I worked so hard for it. Despite the slight injury I had during training camp and missing a week, I was able to come back and make plays during the pre-season games. I just feel blessed that the coaches allowed me to be on this roster.

Tim Hawthorne, #84
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