June 28, 2017

Morris: Yell says injury gifted him focus and perspective

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

As he withered in pain last year following a freakish accident in a pre-game warmup Ronnie Yell had no idea the injury would actually help make him a better football player.

Yell broke a bone in his foot during drills last August prior to the B.C. Lions CFL game against the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field. His season was over but the 26-year-old cornerback was about to learn an important life lesson.

“I realized I’m human,” said Yell. “It takes a wake-up call like that to realize that.

“I’m glad it happened to me because now I’m better for the future and I’m better for this game. I’m a better person for it.”

Yell plays the boundary corner where he often faces some of the league’s best receivers. What the five-foot-10, 185-pound San Jose State product   lacks in size he compensates with speed. He also knows where to be and when to be there. Losing a step could mean losing his job.

As he worked rehabbing his foot over the winter Yell began to understand the importance of keeping his body healthy and functioning. That included the proper balance between exercise, nutrition and rest.

“He’s a guy that’s not going to bust his coverage. Yell is a guy that every time I battle against him out there on the field, I come off going that was a tough game, whether we won or lost, going up against him.”

Edmonton Eskimos QB Mike Reilly on Lions DB Ronnie Yell

“The injury was a blessing in disguise,” said the Los Angeles native. “I learned a lot about my body and taking care of my body.

“The injury made me better because of what I had to do to compensate for the foot injury. With the foot I couldn’t do much for the first couple of months so I had to work a lot on my upper body, get in shape and eat healthier.”

Mark Washington, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, said some young players take their careers for granted.

“When you are young and you are physically gifted, you almost feel invincible,” said Washington, an 11-year CFL veteran who won Grey Cups with B.C. and Montreal.

“Then you realize something as freakish as (Yell’s injury) that can end your season. When you see you’re not invincible, you have to take care of (your body) and the better you take care of it the longer your career will be.”

Yell had three tackles in the Lions’ 30-27 season-opening loss against the Edmonton Eskimos at BC Place Stadium. He also made a key knock down of a pass intended for Adarius Bowman late in the fourth quarter. Yell was beaten on a couple of plays by Edmonton rookie D’haquille Williams, including a second-quarter touchdown.

Despite the loss Yell was pleased to be back playing again.

“It felt amazing,” he said in the Lions’ dressing room. “I haven’t played in almost over a year. Just being back out there with my guys, and moving around like I usually do, getting back to the old form of Ronnie Yell play, it felt good. We just have to improve.”

The Lions are happy to have Yell back.

“He brings a guy with experience, great coverability, a great understanding of concept, outstanding physicality and the ability to make plays,” said Washington. “He’s a complete package.”

In the 10 games before he was hurt last year Yell had 19 tackles and four knockdowns. Over his first three years in B.C. Yell had 108 tackles and four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns.

Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly said he’s never afraid to throw against anyone in the league, but does take note of where Yell is on the field.

“He’s a guy that’s not going to bust his coverage,” said Reilly. “He works within their scheme very well.

“Yell is a guy that every time I battle against him out there on the field, I come off going that was a tough game, whether we won or lost, going up against him.”

Off the football field Yell enjoys art and drawing. He has designed many of the tattoos that cover his body.

“It’s a relaxing thing,” said Yell. “I do a lot of art in my down time . . . just to ease my mind and keep it at ease.

“It helps me a lot on the field with different perspectives. It helps me drawing up plays, with film study. It helps me be calm in game situations, learning to cut anxiety out and go to that happy place.”

Yell also had done some film work, appearing in commercials and a couple of music videos. In time, he’d like try his hand at acting.

“Football is my platform,” he said. “It’s opening doors to many other things.”

Washington isn’t surprised by Yell’s artist nature.

“All these guys have different parts,” he said. “They are not just football players. They are complete men with lives.

“There are other things outside of football. We encourage them to do that so make themselves complete.”

Yell, who lives in San Diego, Calif., in the off-season, studied sociology while attending San Jose State. The birth of his son Kaeto Akai made him think about a career in childhood development after his football days are over.

Being a father is special for Yell who was raised, along with his three siblings, by a single mother.

“Just having a son of my own, and not having a father figure in my life, it really opened my eyes to really wanting to be in his life and helping other kids around the world,” he said. “I know what kids are going through who don’t have fathers. I just want to be there for them.

“I will never be out of my son’s life. I will always be part of my son’s life.”