Esks.com Staff

EDMONTON -- For this According To... feature we caught up with Eskimo running back Calvin McCarty. Drafted by Edmonton in the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft, McCarty has played 47 games and three playoff games in his three seasons with the Esks.

During his rookie season, he established himself as a force on special teams and a dependable backup running back. He scored his first touchdown with a spectacular catch vs. Saskatchewan on October 26, 2007. The next season, McCarty got his first CFL start at running back on October 4, 2008 and earned Canadian Player of the Week honours.

McCarty’s 98 career catches with his 5.5 career ypc and his ability to play a significant role on multiple special teams is why he’s considered an impact player and is at the forefront of the Canadian crop.

Spending his off-season in Vancouver, we caught up with the Calvin to find out a bit more about him. He was given either a single word or a few words to ponder (the bolded ones) - the rest is all him.

College was great experience for me. Bounced around a bit, but my first two years where spent at Boise State. Then transferred to Reedley College, a small town outside of Fresno where I also played a year of baseball batting 370. 2nd team Utility Player of the Year. Finally arriving at Western Washington where I completed 1 year before getting drafted by Edmonton. After all that still work in progress, major is communications.      

I never won a Grey Cup  

Teammates – good teammates are irreplaceable, they make the experience what it is. Pretty much like family away from home. The laughs, the ups and downs, going through it together allows us to grow and learn from each other.  
 
The Fiesta Bowl was a great time, got a chance to catch up with some old buddies from when I was at BSU. I went down to meet up with teammate JZ Zabransky (he’s the man out there for some reason). He had a nice box suite along side Pro Bowler Ryan Clady, and Joe Jonas. BSU got the dub so it made for an excellent time!  

Football is not for the weak! It means a lot to me, might sound kind of weird but moving around a lot as a kid, sports and football in general has remained a constant in my life. Living on an army base in Alabama with my aunt is where I had my first experience. I still remember coach handing me a sheet of paper with odd numbers to the left and even numbers on the right and me being a first grader all I thought to myself was “these numbers are out of order!”

Patience – required in everyday life Also required on and off the football field. As athletes we are all confident in our abilities. With that being said naturally everybody wants to play. Some people don’t have patience and will often miss the bus because lack of patience. Work hard, be patient and I believe everything will work out for the best

I regret ever losing my last high school game. Two missed PAT’s and a game winning field goal. 20-21. 350 plus rushing yards 3 TD’s and…..an L!

My family is my everything. Wouldn’t be here without them, definitely wouldn’t be playing football. So I try to always represent for my family. Your name is your legacy so I just try to be the best I can be

I learned lately that the U.S. has a pretty solid hockey team lol!!! Chasing around a 2 year old is work!!!    

Training camp for me, this season its “may the best man win” intersquad/interposition competition and will be here before you know it, a chance for us to come together COMPETE gel crash course style!!! Probably the most dreaded few weeks for all of us but necessary.

I really dislike losing!

My brother – younger brother Jordan McCarty QB 6’3’ 175 in Blaine Washington. Congrats to him on being Blaine’s single season passing leader of all time. Check’ em on youtube. P.S. dual citizen as well

I have always wanted to have my own jersey in stores, every since I received my first football jersey a #84 Sterling Sharpe Green Bay Packers jersey.  

I know that hard work will pay off. You can’t force an issue but you can always do your best to make it happen through hard work, patience etc.

Championships seem to be pretty elusive nowadays. Came pretty easy in high school, 3 conference championships in college. So no better time 2 win one at home in o 10’!!

In the off-season – this off-season I’m training to be the best athlete I can be, athleticism is my best overall tool so I’m doing my normal clean explosion program combined with basketball and baseball 2x a week to keep game-ready.    

As a child I was a busy body up early, out late. I once got in trouble and had to come inside, my granny gave me the option of staying in the house or get a spanking and go play for another couple hours or so. I was outside.

Losing is best avoided by winning.

Running backs are the most versatile players on the field, scrap metal. Arguably the most versatile athletes on the planet!!! We got Bo Jackson, nuff said

I admire my mama. I remember her working up to 3 jobs to take care of me and my sister. My pops for doing what he had to do to ensure a brighter future. I admire them for always telling me “to be a leader”.