Cruickshank: Stampeders quarterback putting down roots in Calgary
It has nothing to do with being the face of the Calgary Stampeders. He doesn’t feel obligated to put down roots. Bo Levi Mitchell simply wants to be here.
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For not the first time, Bo Levi Mitchell’s vision is worthy of praise.
The man – in a cramped gym, amid racket and commotion – sees what needs seeing.
Before tip-off, he spies someone wearing a Saskatchewan Roughriders T-shirt. For that no-no, Mitchell dishes out a good-natured scolding.
After the buzzer, the student in Captain America apparel is handed a similarly themed headband – fresh off the sweaty brow of his hero and, no doubt, now cherished forever.
“I’ve been that fan, I’ve been that kid,” Mitchell is saying after last week’s appearance at the Chestermere Lake Middle School. “I used to get autographs from high-school kids – who does that? I’m always going to try to understand the way that kid’s looking at me … and try to be that person that he’s looking up to.”
Mitchell, like many of his Calgary Stampeders’ teammates, takes seriously this part of the gig.
So his charm extends well beyond the actual basketball game.
And his involvement? That extends well beyond the actual season.
“It has nothing to do with football,” Mitchell says. “It’s not going to make me play better football. But hopefully it raises my status in the community of who I’m trying to be as a leader.”
For that, commitment – real commitment – is necessary.
Meaning more than just signing a contract. How about buying a house and living here through the off-season?
“I think people from Calgary like having an athlete who stays year-round, who buys into their city,” says Deron Mayo, a close chum of Mitchell’s – and a neighbour of his in Evanston. “For Calgarians, that’s a big deal, having that personal relationship with him. Not just a guy who comes in, gets paid, then goes back home.”
Mitchell insists residential permanence is no big deal.
“It’s just how I am.”
It has nothing to do with being the face of the franchise. He doesn’t feel obligated to put down roots. The Texan simply wants to be here.
Dave Dickenson wonders if folks understand that degree of that devotion.
After all, the quarterback is a marked man – and kind of a soft touch.
“That’s the hard road he’s taking,” says the Stamps coach. “If you look at hockey players, I don’t see anyone around in the off-season. They all go to Kelowna or somewhere because they want to try to decompress. Bo’s doing a great job – his heart’s in the right spot – but he has to understand that there will be a time when he has to say no.
“You don’t want to come into the regular season worn out.”
Because Mitchell, the most valuable player of the 2014 Grey Cup, cannot stroll around anonymously. Who doesn’t want a chunk of No. 19?
“I can’t go out for dinner with the guy or go grab a coffee,” says Mayo, with a laugh. “Everyone wants to get pictures – ‘Oh, oh, oh, your name is Bo, right?’ People recognize him for not only what he does on the field, but for how much he does off the field. He puts his face out there.”
Mitchell is keenly aware of his transformation.
Arriving from Eastern Washington University, he served as the third-string quarterback in 2012.
“Nobody knew my name, nobody knew my face,” says Mitchell. “I could walk around Calgary, anywhere I wanted to, and no one knew who I was. I’ve seen both sides of it. Right now, I’m just blessed to be in the right position.”
Not that his shift northward hadn’t raised eyebrows.
Willingly spending winters up there? Friends and family were right to be curious.
“They always ask if it’s a shock,” Mitchell, chuckling, says. “But Calgary is a perfect place – you can decide if you want to go snowboarding or go golfing. Pretty unique.”
When Mitchell married Madison on New Year’s Eve, they did duck down to Lake Chelan, Wash., for the occasion. But they were in Calgary for the rest of the winter – encompassing his 26th birthday, workouts with the Canadian Sport Institute at WinSport, time dedicated to charitable endeavours.
They founded Mitchell’s Miracle Day, a holiday program for children. He’s participating in a raft of basketball matches, including Wednesday’s with Mount Royal University women’s squad.
“For Bo to be here to take the lead is a good thing for us,” says Dickenson, noting the absence of past ambassadors such as Jon Cornish, Keon Raymond, Randy Chevrier. “He’s so genuine. I think what you’re seeing is the real Bo. I’m not sure all athletes are like that.”
And goodwill, the coach ensures, is appreciated.
“It’s human nature,” says Dickenson. “When you know someone and root for them, you’re going to give them a little more benefit of the doubt than if he’s just a stranger who wears the uniform.”
On Twitter: @CruickshankCH
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