Mark Masters
CFL.ca
Matt Lambros is trying to follow in his father’s footsteps and play in the Canadian Football League.
His father, Mike, was a linebacker with the Edmonton Eskimos from 1972 to 1975.
“My father’s been an inspiration to me. He’s pushed me and supported me through high-school, peewee, bantam football … everything,” said Lambros. “He’s there for me to throw ideas off and give me advice.”
Lambros will look to take the next step toward the professional ranks when he attends the CFL Evaluation Camp in March.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Calgary native said his dad has offered some advice for how to deal with the Evaluation Camp, which will attract the top players expected to be selected at this year’s CFL draft.
“He told me to relax and enjoy it and take it as a good time and not let it stress me,” said Lambros. “I know this is an opportunity to show myself in front of Canadian scouts and that’s big because I know some scouts are not as familiar with players from smaller division one schools.”
Lambros has played in the Big South conference the last three years helping the Liberty Flames win two straight conference titles. But, Lambros said he would never have been at the Christian liberal arts university in Virginia if not for some advice from former Calgary Stampeders head coach Jim Barker.
When Barker coached the Los Angeles Xtreme of the now defunct XFL he worked with someone who moved on to coach at Liberty.
“I was at a camp that coach Barker was running one year when I was in high school. He mentioned Liberty as a possible school I could go to, but I really hadn’t heard much about it,” said Lambros. “He said he would make a call for me. I got a call back a few days later to set up a recruiting trip.
“Coach Barker opened my eyes to what schools were realistic and what were not and what may be a good fit for me.”
Lambros visited Liberty and liked what he saw so he signed on.
After one season that decision looked like it may have been the wrong one as the Flames struggled to a 1-10 record.
“That was a tough freshman year and it led to a coaching change and a lot of people were talking about leaving, but the main group of young guys decided to stay. The core of the team stayed and to win the two championships, that was just huge personally for us.”
A rough first season at Liberty is not all Lambros has needed to overcome to put himself in position to make it to the CFL.
In Grade 5 he underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor from his abdomen. Years later, when Lambros was finishing Grade 11, he needed to undergo another surgery to remove scar tissue that was building up in the area where he had his first surgery.
“It was tough in high school going through that,” he said. “It was a month an a half before I could start training again and even then it wasn’t hard-core stuff. Luckily the surgery happened during the spring so I could regroup in the summer and get ready for the next school year.”
Being on the sidelines hurt, Lambros said, because his competition was out there training and getting better.
“I couldn’t spend those months getting bigger, stronger and faster,” said Lambros.
Despite the health issues the 24-year-old has rounded into a fine athlete. In fact, his speed may give him an edge at the upcoming Evaluation Camp. Last season, Lambros was clocked running 40 metres in 4.48 seconds.
“I’ve got pretty deceptive speed because I’m a taller receiver. It helps me get downfield quick and not just outmuscle smaller defenders but also run by them. I think that will really help set me apart when we get into the one-on-one drills.”
Whatever happens at the Evaluation Camp Lambros said he remains focused on following his father’s path.
“I’m just looking for an opportunity to prove myself and show them I’m worthy of playing in the CFL, just like my dad.”
Mark Masters is a freelance writer living in Toronto. He has written about the Canadian Football League in the National Post, Enterprise magazine and the Toronto Argonauts game-day program.
