Former YRHS Raider linebacker Grey McKen, now a defensive end for the University of Regina Rams football team, got quite the surprise back on December 21.
While scrolling through his emails, McKen, 18, came upon one from Football Canada.
That’s not unusual seeing as the first-year Ram has had other emails from that same source in the past.
However the content within this particular email was different than that of prior emails. “I checked the email and thought at first that it was an invitation to a tryout camp for Team Canada,” the 6’3”, 230-pound defensive end told Yorkton This Week. “But as I kept reading I realized that it was actually an offer to be on the team.”
The team, as McKen mentioned, is the U-19 Canadian National team; the same U-19 team that will be competing against Team USA in the International Bowl series February 7 in Arlington, Texas, in front of upwards of 12-thousand fans, family members and, of course, scouts.
However, McKen never expected to make the team.
In fact, he didn’t even think about it. “It was pretty unexpected because there wasn’t even a tryout so I’m not sure how it completely worked (the selection process),” offered the Team Canada member. “It’s unexpected but I’m really honoured to be selected for this team.
“It shows that I’ve been doing things the right way and working hard.”
That hard work is something that McKen hasn’t just started in the short time that he has attended the U of R.
According to McKen, his football work ethic and determination was instilled in him years ago, during his first year as a member of the Yorkton Gridders. “I guess my first serious commitment to football would have been with Jason Farrell when I played back in Gridders and grade eight and then after that I really started to fall in love with the game,” mentioned McKen, adding that his dedication to the game only increased as he made his way to high school.
In fact, McKen credits several people from his high school years for his continued success on, and off, the football field. “In Yorkton we’ve always had really great coaches with guys like Jason Boyda, Roby Sharpe and Ryan Effa, all those guys and all the other guys really helped me throughout high school and just really gave me some good tips.
“They all have great knowledge of the game and good passion, so they kept me going on a good path and put my name out there and really helped me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them so I owe them a lot.”
However McKen should also credit himself for much of his success, such as representing Team Saskatchewan at the 2013 Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick, and working his way onto the Regina Rams special teams after sitting out as a red shirt for the beginning of the season; two experiences that McKen believes will help him as he attempts to lead Canada to an upset victory over Team USA at Maverick Stadium on February 7.
But McKen will not be alone in his quest to upset Team USA.
In addition to 40 other Canadians, McKen will be joined by 11 other Saskatchewan athletes including two fellow Rams. “It’ll be nice because I’ll know a couple of the guys that played on Team Sask that will be with me on Canada,” said McKen, continuing, “Then there will be a couple of others from the Rams that will be coming with me as well, like Eric Wicikowski, who plays the exact same position that I do and Daniel Nesbitt who is a linebacker.”
As for the game itself, what does McKen expect? “Obviously it’s going to be tough because the USA is known for their football,” offered McKen, adding, “but I’m sure if we go down there and play our best we’ll have a good chance at winning.”
To watch McKen and Team Canada take on Team USA, go to www.footballcanada.com on game day (Saturday, February 7) for a live stream of the game.
Kickoff is set for 1:00p.m.
