I recently had the privilege to interview James Green, a CFL special teams “ace”. Green was originally drafted by the Toronto Argonauts and played for one year, then made the move to Edmonton for a season. After Edmonton he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and played there for three years where he was known as a key special team player.
He went to Ottawa in the expansion draft, and after this last year signed with the Stampeders in the off-season. Green is considered one of the best special team players in the CFL, as he made crucial tackles for Ottawa last season on the way to a berth in the Grey Cup.
Interview: James Green
Cole Shelton: In your opinion what was the biggest difference between the 2014 and 2015 Ottawa Redblacks?
James Green: The biggest difference between 14-15 was the cohesiveness and team chemistry. In 2014 we were just a group of individuals put together to form the base of a new professional team. We developed as the season went on which transitioned to 15 were we developed full chemistry and trust in all three fazes of the game.
CS: You left Ottawa and signed with Calgary this off-season. What made you sign with Calgary?
JG: I decided to leave Ottawa to be closer to my family and my wife’s family with the opportunity to play for an extremely competitive football organization – one that would present the same kind of opportunity as playing for Ottawa.
CS: Were there many teams interested in you in the off-season or was Calgary too good to pass up?
JG: There were a few teams interested, but when it all came down to it, family and winning football games came first. So Calgary was the obvious choice.
CS: You are considered a special teams “ace”, but you can play defensive back and linebacker. Have you talked to any coaches in Calgary about playing some defensive snaps?
JG: I played both throughout my career and am fully capable and ready if the opportunity presents itself to play defence. But my primary focus and the team objective is to have me play as the top special teamer and bring leadership, experience and high energy to those units.
CS: What is your favourite part of playing special teams?
JG: It’s the knock-down, drag-out brawl of it all. It’s for dogs or people with heart. You always know the ones who want to fight and will bring it, and the ones who will turn on their heel when the fight is brought to them. I love the intensity. In special teams it’s one big play at full speed. I love that one play can change the momentum of the game and that’s what I try to do every time I’m on the field.
CS: When did you know you were going to be a professional football player?
JG: As soon as he Toronto Argonauts called me in 2009.
CS: When you were a kid from Canada was the CFL or NFL the dream?
JG: Spending the first couple years of my life in California I didn’t even watch football, I watched basketball and baseball. I didn’t have the ambition to play professional football until university. I didn’t care what league I was playing in, as long as I was still playing.
CS: You played college ball in Calgary coming into the CFL draft. Were you hoping to be drafted by Calgary?
JG: It honestly did not make a difference. I went to school with the aspiration of becoming a pro football player so the club that it was did not matter to me. Obviously playing for the U of C would have been nice, but to be drafted by them but the Argos drafted me. Now I’m a Stampeder so the rest is history.
CS: When you got drafted by Ottawa in the expansion draft, what went through your head?
JG: I was excited to get out of a struggling program and have a fresh start with a brand new expansion team.
CS: Finally, what is your favourite CFL stadium and why?
JG: My favourite stadium to play in is Winnipeg. The crowd is always crazy, the new field is amazing. It makes me feel like a down south NFL or NCAA stadium. The turf is very fast and it’s just an overall great atmosphere.
CS: Thank you James, and good luck with Calgary this year.
JG: Thank you. You had some great questions – you might be a reporter or journalist in the making. I look forward to coming back to Ottawa.
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