Ultimate CFL training camp survival guide
It’s every football fan’s favourite time of the year! Training camps get under way this weekend and that means that CFL football is back!
While we’re getting excited for the season to get started, players across the league are getting set to report to camps all across the country.
We asked players what they have to bring to training camp to survive the next few weeks of early mornings, late nights, meetings and, in some cases, staying in dorm-style rooms.
TAYLOR REED | LB | OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Bath loofah, shower (or hot/cold tub) shoes, OXY cleansing pads (face breaks out from helmet lol), sunflower seeds (or other coach approved snacks), headphones, deck of cards.
ESE MRABURE | DL | CALGARY STAMPEDERS
XBOX. I’m assuming Fortnite will be played all across dorm rooms across Canada between meetings.. that and the usuals (Madden, Fifa, 2k).
SHAWN LEMON | DL | TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Extension cord for phone charger. After five days you will be too sore to bend down to a short phone charger cord.
SIMONI LAWRENCE | LB | HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Soft personal blanket, pillows and snacks.
MARC-OLIVIER BROUILLETTE | LB
Long sleeve undershirt for practice!!! Too many guys get that ‘practice jersey’ tan and when they finally put on the game jerseys, they end up on TSN with a terrible football version of a farmers tan.
RICKY COLLINS JR. | WR | BC LIONS
Shower shoes, toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant!
BO LEVI MITCHELL | QB | CALGARY STAMPEDERS
“Cadillac’s!” Big man cleats, they are softer and more comfortable on the feet for all the two-a-days. Gotta keep the feet right and we know adidas are the people to make sure our guys are feeling right all season long!
CLEYON LAING | DL | TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Sunflower seeds.
ODELL WILLIS | DL | EDMONTON ESKIMOS
1. Portable fan so you won’t be hot while you sleep
2. PS4 for down time
3. Extra insoles and Vaseline to keep your feet blister free and comfortable for camp
4. Baby wipes cause the place where your staying tissue is like card board.
5. Snacks for the late night munchies
JAMAAL WESTERMAN | DL | MONTREAL ALOUETTES
A must have is an Amazon TV and two bags of Skittles. Don’t want to miss my new favourite show Handmaids Tale and I eat two Skittles a day. Just a little treat.
COURTNEY STEPHEN | DB | HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
I think one thing that people forget a lot of the time is to bring their own pillow because when you go into those dorms, I’m telling you when you go into those dorms, it’s been a while since I’ve been in college but it is rough. Bring your own pillow, that’s one.
Two, you need to bring your own foam roller or a soft ball or something that you can use because you put so much mileage on your body you gotta spend that last half hour before you go to bed, you gotta really work on your body and take care of your body.
JONATHON JENNINGS | QB | BC LIONS
I bring a calendar to mark the days down until game day! Haha, no, I don’t bring anything fancy but always make sure to buy gummies from the grocery store and materials for late night pb&j.
