Several years of operating hurry-up offences have prepared Trevor Harris for the pace that awaits.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback is to fly from Saskatoon to Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday — just in time to join his wife, Kalie, for the birth of the couple’s third child.
“My wife goes into the hospital tomorrow, in the early evening, so I’m not even getting to go home,” Harris said after Tuesday’s workout at Coors Light Riders Training Camp. “I’m going to sleep in a hospital chair for two nights and then take the kid home. I’ll be back the next day.
“It’s going to be far from a relaxing few days, but I’m excited that I get to go home and see such a beautiful moment and be there for my best friend in the world — my wife — and see my boys and be able to allow our families to see them.
“It’s a special moment.”
Trevor and Kalie Harris are already the proud parents of two boys — T.J. (6) and Trace (3) — with a third son on the way. The new baby is expected to arrive Wednesday or Thursday in Marion, Ohio.
“I think the most important thing we do is to make the decision to follow Christ,” the Roughriders’ signal-caller said. “Right after that is us being there and being a great father.
“(Legendary college basketball coach) John Wooden talked about it a lot. He said that raising kids is the second-most-important thing that we do in this life, so you want to be there for your wife in a moment like that.”
At the same time, Harris’s teammates won’t be far away from his thoughts as Saturday’s CFL home pre-season date with the B.C. Lions draws closer.
“It’s a tough time to leave but, at the same time, the team has done a great job,” he said. “They were telling me that they weren’t going to let me miss this sort of thing.”
They, in this instance, applies to President-CEO Craig Reynolds, General Manager/Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day and Head Coach Craig Dickenson.
“Big ups to Craig Reynolds, J.O., and Coach Craig,” an appreciative Harris said. “They did a tremendous job of making it easy for me and making the decision for me.”
As someone who loves football and values his teammates, Harris acknowledged that it is “tough to leave at this point in camp.” However, Dickenson had already informed Harris that he wasn’t going to play on Saturday, anyway.
The coaches will use the pre-season opener to appraise the three quarterbacks who are battling for the No. 2 spot behind Harris — Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala and Shea Patterson.
“We’re going to try to give them equal reps,” Dickenson said.
“DOG DAYS” HAVE SOME BITE
Dickenson was asked if anyone or anything had caught his eye during Tuesday’s practice.
“Nothing specific, other than good energy,” the Roughriders’ field boss replied. “I thought the guys were moving around.
“Yesterday was a tough day. I wasn’t sure how they would bounce back from, really, back-to-back practices with pads, but I thought the energy was good.
“I thought the execution was a little bit sloppy at times, but they’re anxious to play a game, so we’ve just got to get them to that B.C. game.”
The Lions are to provide the opposition for Saturday’s pre-season opener (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“I think the dog days of summer are here for training camp,” Dickenson said. “We’ll try to crank it up one more time tomorrow, just to get the guys some work with pads.
“But the focus after tomorrow’s practice is just getting ready for the pre-season game.”
SHORT SNORTS
- Defensive back Jeremy Clark was conspicuous during Tuesday’s practice. He nearly recorded an interception in addition to invading the offensive backfield and disrupting a running play.
- The catch of the day was made by Kalija Lipscomb, who made a leaping, juggling grab over the middle.
- Picturesque passing plays for six points: (1) Harris to Keith Corbin III; (2) Mason Fine to Randy Satterfield.
