By Nic Sgaggi
Stampeders.com

Stampeders defensive back Adam Thibault was all smiles on Saturday following his first Canadian Football League game.

Not only did the Stamps get this win, the rookie out of Laval made his presence felt early. Thibault registered his first CFL tackle on the first play of his career when he took down Ottawa RedBlacks kick returner D.J. Harper on the first play of the game.

“That’s what I wanted to do,” Thibault said. “I visualized it a lot. On that first kickoff, that’s what I wanted to do — start my career strong. Nothing could have stopped me on that play. I just wanted the tackle.

“I was excited. I’ve been waiting for my moment. Like I said, I had been visualizing it a lot and working hard in practice. I enjoyed my moment for sure.”

He said he felt right at home when he stepped on the field because he had the full support of his teammates.

“Honestly, I was surprised,” Thibault said. “People were really nice. They knew I was a little bit (anxious) that it was my first CFL game and the team congratulated me. I had a really nice time playing that game.”

He also had the support of all his friends and family back home who had tuned in to watch him collect his first pro tackle.

“Since it was on national TV, everyone I know was waiting for that game,” he said. “People told me they had watched it on TSN.”

Thanks to a slip-up by the referees, Thibault will also have a comical memory to take away from his CFL debut — a phantom offside penalty in which the alleged culprit Thibault wasn’t even on the field.

“Someone was offside and I guess they misgauged their call,” said Thibault with a chuckle. “They called No. 41 but I was on the sidelines.”

Thibault says his first game was a learning experience and he hopes to improve for future games.

“Technique,” Thibault said. “I think technique will make you last longer in this league because everyone at the professional level is a good athlete and knows how to play football. Having good technique and being mentally prepared — that’s what I think makes players who will remain in the league for a long time.”