A group of horses is generally called a herd.
Alternatively, it can be called a stable, band, troop or … a team.
For rookie running back LeVante Bellamy, who has coincidentally played only for teams with a horse logo from college to now (the Western Michigan Broncos, Denver Broncos, and Calgary Stampeders) working as a team is exactly how he approaches his playing style each day.
“I’m really a team guy,” he said. “How ever I can help us win, I will.”
And though the 26-year-old is primarily assisting with the ground game, he’s committed to making an impact on the gridiron wherever he can. He certainly did so in Calgary’s most recent outing against the Redblacks, where he came flying in from the left edge to block a Richie Leone punt, which was then recovered by teammate Jordan Herdman-Reed.
“I feel as if on that particular play, it just opened itself up due to the other guys (around me),” he explained. “We all have a job to do, and the play presented itself and I was able to go out there and make a great play.”
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Calgary originally signed the running back in January before his subsequent release following training camp on May 17.
The Red and White re-signed him again in a series of roster moves that included the re-acquisition of receivers Marken Michel and Floyd Allen earlier this month.
In college, Bellamy played 48 games over five seasons at Western Michigan and had 617 career carries for 3,720 yards and 35 touchdowns as well as 57 receptions for 370 yards and one score and 19 kickoff returns for 358 yards. He was the Mid-American Conference offensive player of the year as a senior in 2019 when he led the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns while piling up 1,472 yards in 13 games.
Bellamy earned first-team all-conference honours in both of his final two seasons and finished his Western Michigan career as the fourth all-time rusher in school history.
The Indianapolis native suited up for four games with the Broncos from 2020-2021.
With the Red and White, Bellamy has only dressed for three games, slotting in the backup spot behind Dedrick Mills once Peyton Logan fell due to a hamstring injury in Week 3 against Saskatchewan.
And while he’s still relatively new to the group, he’s enjoying every minute with his fellow tailbacks.
“I love Calgary. It’s a great place, great city, a great area,” he said. “I’m very excited to be around the guys – Ka’Deem (Carey), Dedrick and Peyton have brought me in as if I’m one of their own. They treat me well and with respect and we all gel well together and we have a great time.”
With the team sitting at 2-4, the upcoming match against the 2-3 Alouettes in La Belle Province on Sunday could be coined for some as a ‘must-win’ game.
For Bellamy, his team is still in the race, and the message is clear:
“Stay in it,” he said. “Can’t change nothing. We just have to keep the ball rolling.
“Right now, we have to stay focused on us and do everything we can do throughout the week to give us the best chance this weekend out in Montreal.
“On special-teams, offence and defence, we just need to keep communicating, staying on each other’s hip, and just trust that the guy to your left and right are going to help you and themselves make plays.”
Following the team’s eastern road trip, the Red and White return to McMahon Stadium for a battle with the reigning Grey Cup champ Toronto Argonauts on Friday, Aug. 4, for our Heritage Day game to celebrate the rich diversity of our team, fanbase and city. Buy your tickets here!