Adrian Greene grew up watching Argos games, fostering his dreams of playing professional football one day.
“When I was really small, we used to go to Argos games a lot,” Greene recalled. “There was this player at the time named Cory Boyd, he was a running back there and I was a running back when I was younger, so I used to watch him a lot.
“There are some older guys that played in the same program as me like Jermaine Gabriel and he played for the Argos as well.
“Watching guys like that growing up obviously the aspiration was to be a pro football player one day and to make that happen. Naturally, we’d go out to the games, and it was nice to see that pro setting of football in the city.”
An 18-year-old Greene most likely had a different experience than Stampeders faithful who watched Calgary and Toronto battle it out on a snowy November night, specifically the play where one of his inspirations, Jermaine Gabriel, forced Kamar Jorden to fumble late in the fourth quarter that led to a major the other way for the Boatmen, eventually culminating in a 27-25 victory for the Argos in the 105th Grey Cup. (My apologies for bringing it up Stamps fans – it too, causes me great pain).
Fast-forward eight years later and Greene is four years into making his pro football aspirations a reality.
He suited up as the Stampeders’ starting cornerback last weekend against Bo Levi Mitchell (whom he also would have watched play in the 2017 Grey Cup when he was a teenager) allowing only three of eight passes thrown his way good for a 37.5 completion allowed against one the most efficient passing offences in the CFL according to PFF (Pro Football Focus).
“Bo is a talented football player, talented quarterback and very experienced,” admitted Greene. “Just having the opportunity to play every week is a blessing. That’s how I like to think about it. Any chance I get to lace up and play on the field is a great opportunity for me and even better when you get to play against big name players like that.”
Overall, the defence gave up only one touchdown – a score which came with less than three minutes to play in the fourth quarter – and stopped Hamilton on 16-out-of-23 second down attempts.
“Hamilton is a talented offence, they have a lot of good players over there and we took the time during the week to prepare for them,” he said. “I think guys did a good job of communicating, the front seven did their thing versus the run and their pass rush, and for us on the back end we have to take care of the pass.”
Day, won. Week, won. 🤠🔴⚪️ https://t.co/VCqrZZe8Bo
— AG (@gogettergreene9) June 9, 2025
As he prepares for a Week 2 matchup in front of his hometown crowd, the 26-year-old is all business.
“Honestly, I feel like you can never make the moment too big,” said Greene. “At the end of the day, it’s Week 2, my focus is on what the Stamps are doing and getting ready for that game.
“Obviously, it’s a great chance to be able to play in front of my family and everything, but ultimately you can’t make the moment too big.”
The goal for defensive coordinator Bob Slowik’s crew is to continue building off the momentum generated in Week 1 and contain a high-powered Argos offence no matter if it’s reigning Grey Cup MOP Nick Arbuckle or 2023 league MOP Chad Kelly at the helm.
“I feel like when it comes to defence you have to play complimentary football to all play together,” Greene informed. “We’re always preaching to be in your spots, talk, communication, everything like that, and then just hustling and getting to the ball. When you do all three of those things, then usually you end up on the better side of the game.”
It’s a matinee contest for Stamps fans watching at home with kickoff set for 2 p.m. MT. Then the Red and White return to McMahon Stadium next Saturday for their Family Day game when they host the visiting Ottawa Redblacks (0-1).
