Being a nice guy isn’t a prerequisite for Canadian Football League longevity, but in the cases of Nigel Romick and Richie Leone, it certainly hasn’t hurt.
Well-liked by their teammates, coaches and fans over their respective years in the league, punter Leone and defensive lineman Romick will each accomplish an impressive feat for any pro football player when they suit up for their 100th CFL games on Monday, as their Ottawa REDBLACKS visit the Montreal Alouettes.
Skill, being in the right environment and usually a bit (or a lot) of luck are part of most professional athletes’ careers, not to mention staying healthy more often than not. The rest comes down to wanting it badly enough to put your body through what a football player does on the regular.
Both Romick, an original Ottawa REDBLACK who has been with the club since the inaugural season in 2014, and Leone, who has been with the team for all but two of his six CFL seasons, are primarily focused on getting a win in Montreal on Monday afternoon. But both understand that in a league where longevity is tough to come by, hitting the century mark for games played is a special achievement.
“Starting my career, I really didn’t think playing 100 games would be attainable, so I’m pretty proud of it,” said Leone, a regular fixture in conversations about the league’s best punters. “I’m grateful for the journey, the ups and the downs, the people I’ve met along the way. Hopefully I can ride it out until 200 games.”
Romick, meanwhile, is one of the two longest-serving REDBLACKS (along with Antoine Pruneau) after playing his rookie season with the upstart franchise back in 2014. While jumping into his natural position on the defensive line when called upon over the years – recording his first career sack last season – Romick has emerged as a top CFL special teams player who has thrived under the expertise of Special Teams Coordinator (and now Interim Head Coach) Bob Dyce.
“When you’re talking about a two or three-year average career span, getting to 100 games is a pretty big accomplishment,” Romick said. “I never would have thought I’d put this many kilometres on my body.”
Speaking of special teams, Romick also has the chance to hit another century mark against the Alouettes on Monday, as the 31-year-old sits just two special teams tackles shy of 100.
“I take pride in my play on special teams and I take pride in playing for Coach Dyce,” Romick said.
Romick and Leone and their REDBLACKS teammates face the Alouettes in Montreal on Thanksgiving Monday at 1 PM.
