He wants to build a name that is remembered in the CFL history books.
And, he wants to do it in Calgary.
“I’m looking for a long-term home,” said Jordan Williams-Lambert. “I’m looking for somewhere where I can play a couple years down the line and I think this is a good opportunity to try to build on a new chapter in my career.”
“(I) try to lead by example and do the right things.”
“I look forward to making plays and exciting the crowd and my teammates and doing the best I can to contribute and be remembered.”
Signed in February, Williams-Lambert is spending time in Indiana taking care of his family while he prepares for camp and awaits the start of the 2022 season.
The big-bodied receiver adds nicely to Bo Levi Mitchell’s plethora of offensive weapons, which include Reggie Begelton, Kamar Jorden, Richie Sindani, Colton Hunchak and Luther Hakunavanhu.
In 24 games played with Saskatchewan, he accumulated 973 yards off 81 receptions, with 361 of those yards coming after the catch.
Stamps Associate Digital Producer Makayla Berze chatted with Williams-Lambert to find out more about one of the newest Stamps.
BERZE: There’s no hiding the rivalry that exists between Calgary and Saskatchewan. What does it feel like now that you’re going to be suiting up in red and white this season and what comes to mind when you think of the intensity that surrounds the two teams?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: I’m sure it will be very different but I’m looking forward to it though. It’s an exciting rivalry. I know it’s usually at the end of the season when the games matter a little more, when it comes to playoffs. So it’s a lot more meaningful, the rivalry, I’m looking forward to being on the opposite side of the green and white and trying to do the best I can to put our team in a position to get to the Grey Cup.
BERZE: Is there anything specific you’re looking forward to in regards to coming to Calgary and is there a specific goal that looms in your mind? Especially coming to a new team and I guess starting fresh if you will?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Yeah, just the opportunity to start over and work to getting back to league recognition and hopefully getting a thousand yards and being able to excel on the offensive side of things.
BERZE: You played under Craig Dickenson and you’re going to play for his brother now. What’s something you learned from Craig and what’s something that you’re looking forward to learning from Dave?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: From Craig I learned a lot about special teams, and about being a good person off the field. It was a great organization and he did a lot to develop me as a player, both from the special teams side of things and the mindset side of things. With Dave, I heard he played a lot more to where he may have a lot more to offer in terms of being a player on the field and as a professional athlete.
BERZE: I got this quote from you. “Thank you to the Calgary organization for blessing me with this opportunity to further my career and join a winning culture. I look forward to contributing and chasing this year’s Grey Cup trophy.” Is there anything you want to expand upon and maybe is there a certain teammate that you’re looking forward to playing with?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Just the opportunity to learn more. I’ll be in a different receiving room with a lot of good receivers that I can learn more from and add to my arsenal. Of course, getting the opportunity to be with an organization where the quarterback has been pretty renowned throughout the league and just getting the opportunity to work with him. And of course, Tre Roberson who’s from the same area I’m from in Indianapolis and getting the opportunity to play with him and chase a Grey Cup. Jameer Thurman is someone I met while we were in Chicago. And (I’m looking forward to) the opportunity to grow as an athlete, grow as a player and grow as a man off the field. I’m looking forward to those encounters.
BERZE: Last year was kind of a weird year with having 2020 off, starting late in the season. How do you feel about getting back into some sort of normalcy, having a routine you can rely on and also having another year of football behind you to work off of?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Having the freedom with the schedule, having the freedom with being out and about and trying to stay focused and enjoying the city and stuff like that will be exciting for me. The Covid restrictions put a hold on just the common day-to-day life and (I’m looking forward to) just being able to enjoy the city and enjoy being an athlete.
BERZE: Now for some more light-hearted questions. I want the fans to be able to piece together an idea of who you are. So without further-ado, what are you binge-watching right now?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: (Laughs) Yeah, recently I’ve been watching Ozark. I liked Snowfall, I’ve been watching Power. I think it’s called something else now. Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of the housing shows just to see how people have been re-doing their houses but if you have any recommendations I’m open to recommendations, I’ve been looking for new shows. Those are some of the main ones I’ve been watching. I heard the Bel-Air – the new Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – show is pretty good so I’m going to try to get to that sometime in the near future.
BERZE: If you could choose 3-5 emojis to describe you, what would they be?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: I’ll say the stale face. I’ll say the smirk face and I’ll say the little demon smiling face, the purple demon one, the purple devil. 😐😏😈
BERZE: Here’s a scenario for you: It’s a Saturday afternoon, it’s sunny out, you have no plans, what are you doing?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: I’ll probably hop on the grill or go play basketball or find a way to spend time with my family and just get outside if the weather is nice.
BERZE: Where is your favourite place to travel, and what’s a place you would like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Florida is a place I like to travel to. Florida and California. Places I’d like to go … I’d like to go to Banff. (Laughs).
BERZE: Good answer!
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: And, I’d like to go to Dubai.
BERZE: What’s your favourite animal and why?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: (After a long pause) My favourite animal would have to be … I’d say an eagle. The reason why is because I’d like to fly, be able to see everything from that angle and be a little safer from predators. think the opportunity to fly would be the reason why.
BERZE: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Wow, that’s a tough one. I’d say Michael Jordan, Obama or Jay-Z.
BERZE: Okay, maybe all together?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Yeah, that’d be a cool lineup for me.
BERZE: I have a feeling I’m going to know your answer now, but who was your sports idol or icon growing up?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: I definitely got to say Michael Jordan. Football-wise, I’d say Terrell Owens.
BERZE: Okay interesting, are you going to do some celebration like T.O for us on the field this year?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Uh we’ll see, I got a lot to handle before that time but I got a few celebrations up my sleeve. You know I’m looking forward to put myself in the best position to be in those play-making positions and capitalize on the opportunity so that I can do some touchdown celebrations. It’s been awhile since I got in the end zone.
BERZE: Well I’m sure Bo will get you in there this season.
BERZE: Who is someone that inspires you or that you look up to?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: I’d say someone like Obama. Someone that’s able to create change, find a way to impact everyone, just the opportunity to give back to the world and create change in people’s lives and be a positive impact on all age groups is something I really respect about Obama.
BERZE: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to talk about or tell the fans?
WILLIAMS-LAMBERT: Yeah, just that I’m looking forward to it, ready to go, excited to make plays in new colours and (a new) jersey and hopefully get an opportunity to get out in the community and give back. I’m looking forward to get up there and have the opportunity to make plays with a new organization and continue to chase this Grey Cup.