By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com Staff

When the Stampeders defence takes the field this Sunday in their final East Division matchup of the 2014 regular season, one of its steady veterans will achieve a personal milestone.

Keon Raymond will play in his 100th CFL contest – all with the Stampeders – a feat that speaks as much to his durability as it does his performance on the field.

When asked about it leading up to the Sept. 21 game against the Alouettes, the versatile defensive back was caught off guard.

“Wow,” says Raymond. “I did not know that until now.

“I knew it was coming soon because it was just Charleston’s and we came in the same year,” says Raymond, referring to teammate Charleston Hughes who reached the mark last week against the Toronto Argonauts.

In his seven years with the Red and White, Raymond’s career has typified the Stamps under head coach John Hufnagel. No. 25 has played nearly every position in the defensive backfield as well as inside and strong side linebacker, successfully contributing to Calgary defensive squads that have consistently ranked near the top in the league.

His versatility allows Raymond to be active in a variety of situations and often causes headaches for opposing offences.

In his seven years, the hawk-eyed DB has victimized quarterbacks 17 times with interceptions and has returned them for a total of 463 yards and four touchdowns including a Stampeders record for longest interception return with a 117-yard pick-six.

Additionally, he has tallied 268 career tackles, eight sacks and six tackles for a loss, all to go along with CFL West Division all-star honours in 2011 and 2012 and CFLPA all-star award in 2012.

“Honestly, I’m just blessed to be playing in the CFL and have 100 games under my belt,” says Raymond. “I’ve seen a lot of guys in my seven years come in and out and they want one game. For me to be playing 100 is awesome.”

Natural athletic talents are not all that have brought Raymond to this point in his career. There was also learning how to be a professional athlete and what that means not just on the field but off it as well.

Reflecting on the many that have influenced his career, Raymond is quick to point out former teammate Arjei Franklin as one of his best tutors in learning how to be a professional.

Franklin, who roomed with Raymond for three-and-a-half seasons, was an example of doing the little things off the field to ensure you would be ready to perform well both on and off the turf.

For two straight years, 2011 and 2012, Raymond was voted by his teammates as the winner of the Presidents’ Ring award for the player who best demonstrates excellence on and off the field.

Along with his impressive CFL stats, the defensive leader has been involved with and been the face of various community initiatives from blood drives to raising awareness about domestic violence.

Community involvement is something he takes seriously, even involving his family at times to help out the fans and community that have supported him and his teammates.

When asked what fans can look forward to in his next 100 games, the affable Raymond was unsure, hoping the best is yet to come.

“Next 100? I’m just worried about this next one,” he laughed.

“Hopefully within the next 100 games I can see my name on the side of the stadium one day and that would mean I’ve done well on the field and people who came and who watched us play would come, sit there in the stands and say ‘I remember watching Keon Raymond play, he was one of the best people to ever put on a Stampeders jersey.’

“But I’m enjoying it (now). To be at 100 games, I’m truly honoured.”

>> Photos: Keon Raymond’s first 100 games