All in the Family: Woodson keeps close tabs on brother at Combine

REGINA — Anthony Woodson was A-OK with having to run the family business by himself last weekend.

His younger brother, Robert, was busy showing off his skills at the CFL National Combine in Regina.

“I couldn’t make it (to Regina),” says Anthony, a five-year CFL veteran who signed with his hometown Stampeders in February. “We run a kids’ football camp so I had to take the reins for that. But I was watching everything that I could on CFL.ca.”

So how does Anthony think his little brother did?

“I think he did well and represented himself well,” admits Anthony. “I’m sure he would tell you he wanted to do better, but every player would say that. I know I felt that way, just because you set the expectations for yourself so high. But he performed very well.”

Robert just finished up four seasons as a defensive back for the Calgary Dinos and was a Canada West all-star the past two years.

Anthony was also a Dino and participated in the combine in 2010 before being drafted by Winnipeg. He was able to give his younger brother some advice.

“You are who you are,” Anthony says he told him. “Train hard, do everything you can. You’ve been playing football your entire life and you’ve been running your entire life so, in the end, you’re prepared for this. You’re ready. So just go out there and perform.”

Robert has his sights set on playing professional football and has been working hard to make sure that happens.

“He put a lot of work in,” says Anthony. “I think over the last three months is the hardest I’ve seen him work and dedicate himself to something. It was really nice to see him commit to it.”

Their father, Tony, played four seasons in the CFL was a linebacker with the Stamps in 1985 and 1986.

“A good thing for Robert is that my dad played with the Stamps and I’ve been (in the CFL) too so I think he’s heard enough of our advice over the last 20-some years,” says Anthony, who has played for Winnipeg, Toronto and Hamilton. “So he knows what to expect from that sort of situation.”

While Robert is following in his dad’s footsteps playing on the defensive side of the ball, Anthony went in his own direction when he settled on being a running back.

“My dad was a defensive guy and he always tried to sway us to defence,” smiles Anthony. “I guess my brother just listened better than I did. I think I scored one touchdown and that was it. It convinced me to stay on offence.”

With a seven-and-a-half year age difference, the Woodson brothers have never played football together at any level. But the elder brother would love nothing more than for that to change.

“That would be a dream come true,” admits Anthony. “Obviously, I had to be patient in my pro career before I had the opportunity to come to Calgary. If it worked out that the first year I came to the Stampeders would be the year he was drafted by Calgary, that would be amazing.”

The boys may never have played together on the football field but they have been working side-by-side for years at the family business in Calgary. Their father started R.A.W. Sports football camps, which Anthony and Robert help operate.

“We run a kids’ camp for 10-to-14-year-olds, peewees and bantams, and it runs over 11 weeks,” says Anthony.” We’ve been doing that for 12 years. It’s a family business. My dad started it with us helping him coach and, over the years, our roles have grown to the point where we personally run this one.”

Well, they usually run it together, with the exception of last weekend.

“It was a handful last weekend,” laughs Anthony. “But more than anything I was proud to see him at the combine. So I was happy to pick up the slack!”