By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com
Tuesday morning was a new beginning in uncharted territory for Corbin Sharun.
An Edmonton native who was drafted by the Eskimos in 2010 and had played his entire career in Green and Gold, Sharun was released by his hometown team back on June 14. Now back in the CFL after spending six weeks out of football, the 26-year-old has made the trip south to join the Stamps’ practice roster.
“I was very blessed to be able to play five years (as a) pro and play my junior football in Edmonton,” said Sharun, who spent the 2009 campaign with the CJFL’s Wildcats. “I have my place outside of Edmonton just in Leduc and have got a farm. I was happy (there), but you don’t get many opportunities in football so I’m going to make the most of it here in Calgary.”
Recording 25 special teams tackles in 2011 – which led the Esks and was the second-best total across the league – the former Strathcona High School quarterback was far from expecting to be left off Edmonton’s Week 1 roster.
“It was a shock, it was a surprise,” admitted the recently-revealed No. 47. “I didn’t see it coming at all. But they made their decision so it is what it is. It’s professional sports.”
Sharun’s lone touchdown as an Eskimo came in 2012, which happened to take place during the Labour Day rematch at Commonwealth Stadium against the Stampeders with a 35-yard catch-and-run. On the final play before halftime as the home team lined up for a field-goal attempt, then-backup pivot Matt Nichols was unable to pin the ball for Grant Shaw before his desperate heave found an unexpected target.
“It was a botched field goal snap, and Matt (Nichols) was playing as the holder,” the six-year veteran fondly remembered. “I just kind of heard ‘fire’ called and ran the corner and he kind of threw the ball up to me, so I caught it and (was) gone.”
Officially listed as a defensive back, Sharun realizes the Red and White may be able to utilize his skill set in a variety of fashions, and will gladly accept any role on the field as he joins the defending Grey Cup champions.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help win games,” adamantly stated Sharun. “That’s all that matters. Now I’m in Calgary and all I’m here (for) is to help win. That’s all I want to do. If it’s on special teams, it’s on special teams. I’m going to do everything they ask and give it 100 per cent and make sure they know I’m doing everything I can.”
Having now finally swapped provincial allegiances, the passionate competitor explained he is fully committed to the Stamps despite his personal ties to a now-heated opponent.
“I don’t know about arch-rivals, but (I grew) up with the rivalry, even through junior and especially with the Battle of Alberta,” Sharun detailed. “But at the end of the day, I get to play football so it doesn’t really matter what colour I wear.”