Medicine Hat's Connor McGough signing his contract with the Calgary Stampeders in February (Photo courtesy of Calgary Stampeders)

By Scott Roblin

Waiting to Play

VIDEO: Stamps’ McGough optimistic CFL season will be played

Jun 11, 2020 | 5:58 PM

CALGARY, AB – Months after signing a contract to return to his home province of Alberta, Connor McGough is still waiting patiently for his first game in a Calgary Stampeders jersey.

Medicine Hat’s McGough is among the hundreds of Canadian Football League players who have been placed on the sidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a season that still hangs in the balance.

Thursday evening was supposed to have been the kick off to the 2020 CFL season with a game between the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Eskimos.

Instead, stands sit empty with the league pushing back the start date indefinitely.

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Despite the sometimes bleak outlook, McGough and his teammates believe that they will be playing meaningful games on the gridiron in 2020.

“Me personally and the rest of the team, we’re very optimistic that a season will happen,” said McGough. “But, we don’t have the answers and that’s just our personal belief. But, spirits are high and we’re going in the right direction.”

After three seasons donning the black and yellow with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the 24-year-old McGough signed a two-year contract with the Stampeders in February.

Following the shutdown of all sports, McGough was left without a place to train with McMahon Stadium and all gyms closed for use.

“I was very fortunate that I was able to collect some equipment from various local gyms,” said McGough. “Having some equipment to help me stay in shape a bit, I didn’t lose too much of my gains that I have made before COVID-19 hit.”

The Medicine Hat product decided to hit the books in the meantime, re-enrolling with the University of Calgary online to complete his arts degree.

“I took the opportunity to take some extra classes in the spring semester,” said McGough. “I’m just working towards finishing my degree and creating better habits like reading, getting a better regimented structure of stretching, rolling out, keeping the diet on point.”

The Stampeders received some good news this week in the hopes of salvaging a season, being permitted to open up McMahon Stadium for limited training sessions.

McGough won’t be taking part in these sessions and will be opting to continue training at his Calgary gym when it opens, but believes it’s a good sign for both the team and the league.

“It’s a bit step in the right direction just with everything being closed for so long,” said McGough. “A lot of guys, including myself, have been not able to get certain treatments and get in the gym.”

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie told TSN on Thursday that he too is optimistic that games will be played, even with no fans in attendance at games.

The uncertainty has weighed on the league’s players however, as thoughts of a cancelled season have drifted through McGough’s mind from time to time.

If the season does go ahead though, McGough said he’ll be ready.

“To be honest it can be a bit frustrating at times,” said McGough. “It’s tough to be training for something that may or may not come. But again, you can’t control those aspects of things. At the end of the day you just have to train like the season will happen and if news comes that it won’t, then so be it.”

“For the time being everyone’s spirits are high and everyone is working for a common goal of winning a Grey Cup.”