Shawn Bane Jr. knows all too well that life can change even faster than he can cover 40 yards — that is to say, at a blistering pace.
It was only 3½ years ago when his father, passed away in Sarasota, Fla., following a car accident. Shawn Bane Sr. was only 44 years old.
A flood of tributes at the time referenced the senior Bane’s excellence at Riverview High School in Sarasota. As a sophomore, for example, he had rushed for 1,412 yards.
Bane Sr. later gained 1,171 yards as a freshman at California-based Long Beach City College before returning home to Florida to focus on spending time with Shawn Jr. and his sister.
Shawn Jr. — now a receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — has emulated his father by turning heads in the high school and collegiate ranks.
The junior Bane twice earned All-State Honours at Sarasota High School, for which he had caught 57 passes for 1,129 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012.
“People would tell me, ‘Your dad was so great,’ ” Bane Jr. said following Friday’s Coors Light Riders Training Camp workout at Griffiths Stadium. “There were plenty of stories about how he popped his shoulder out, went over to the fence, popped it back in, and went back into the game.
“It was cool to have to fill those shoes.”
Bane Jr. also went over to the fence on Friday — to sign autographs after practice.
Approaching the crowd, he stretched out his arms, as if to embrace the fans. He then signed autographs and chatted amicably with everybody.
That being done, he consented to an interview in his perpetually pleasant manner, even though some of the questions pertained to a family tragedy.
“I actually have my father’s ashes in a football urn and, wherever I go, I kind of have him with me,” said Bane Jr., 27. “So he’s currently in Canada with me, just checking out the scenery.”
Bane Jr. exploded upon the CFL scene in memorable fashion on Oct. 2, 2021, as a member of the Calgary Stampeders.
Barely 10 minutes into his first game of Canadian professional football, he caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Bo Levi Mitchell against the visiting Roughriders.
“I had actually been released in training camp, but they called me back,” recalled Bane Jr., who initially signed with Calgary before the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19. “I was just ready to play. I hadn’t played in two years. They said, ‘You’re up this weekend,’ and, obviously, (Saskatchewan) had to be the opponent.
“I got the game ball and I was the player of the game, so it was really dope.”
In four games as a rookie with Calgary, the former Northwest Missouri State receiver, kick returner and track athlete caught three passes for 100 yards. The gains: 44, 32 and 24 yards.
He followed up in 2022 by catching 21 passes for 288 yards and one major in nine games.
Nearly half his yards (140) were gained after the catch — an indicator of the blinding speed he possesses.
Bane Jr.’s ability to provide a vertical threat was one reason why the Roughriders made it a priority to sign him on Day 1 of the CFL’s 2023 free-agency period.
“My fastest hand time in the 40 was 4.19 (seconds),” said Bane Jr., who signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2019. “You can ask my trainer. We were preparing for my pro day (in 2019).
“My trainer was also a blazer in his day, so he was low-key disappointed. He said, ‘Man, you beat my fastest 40!’ His was a 4.2, flat, so it was an honour.
“It’s fun learning the mechanics. Now it’s about being durable and being able to stop. I want to be able to be fast and a great route-runner with great hands, so I’m trying to put it all together.”
And succeeding, in the appraisal of the Roughriders’ Head Coach.
“Bane’s had a good camp,” Craig Dickenson said. “You can see the quickness and the elusiveness and he’s smart, too.”
Not to mention enthusiastic.
“I’m super-excited,” Bane Jr. said. “I’ve been working all my life for these moments that will come.
“I’m just taking it as it is and trying to make every moment the same — not too big, not too small.”
That said, he helped to create some memorable moments for members of Rider Nation following Friday’s practice.
“I’m always trying to interact with the fans as much as possible,” Bane Jr. said. “They’re taking time out of their day, so it’s the least I can do.
“It’s always fun to make their day, give some love, and give some joy. You never know how it’ll come back, so I’m always trying to give it up.”
