Philip Blake and Peyton Manning both had a “welcome to Denver!” moment in 2012.
On March 20 of that year, Manning signed with the Denver Broncos after spending his first 14 NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Blake became a Bronco on April 28, 2012, when he was drafted in the fourth round (108th overall) out of Baylor University.
The Toronto-born offensive lineman — now a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders — fielded a flood of congratulatory calls after being chosen by the Broncos. One of those calls was from Manning.
“He phoned me maybe 10 or 15 minutes after the draft,” Blake says. “He called me to say ‘congratulations’ and ‘welcome to the team.’
“It was exciting. You grow up being a fan of his and you respect everything he has done in the NFL.”
Like Manning, Blake has enjoyed an uncommonly long career in professional football.
The average career length of an NFL player is 3.3 years. The applicable figure for a CFLer would be comparable.
“It’s like I’ve had three careers,” says Blake, who is entering his 10th CFL season.
Blake’s affiliation with the CFL actually dates back to 2011, when he was drafted by Montreal in the third round (23rd overall). He proceeded to return to Baylor for his final NCAA season with the Bears before being chosen by Denver.
“It was just a dream come true,” he recalls. “My mom and my sister flew down to Waco, Texas to celebrate with me. We were just watching it on TV and waiting for phone calls. Early in the fourth round I got a call to congratulate me.”
A member of the Broncos’ football-operations staff was on the line, passing along good news and congratulations. Seconds later, the pick was announced and Blake’s name was shown on TV.
“It was exciting,” he says. “I was lost for words. My mom and my sister were so excited.
“It was just one of those cool experiences that I remember.”
A total of 257 players are about to be in Blake’s shoes, with the 2024 NFL Draft to begin Thursday with the Round 1 selections. Rounds 2 and 3 are slated for Friday, with Rounds 4 to 7 to follow on Saturday.
Making the rounds is part of the post-Draft process. Not long after being picked by the Broncos, Blake was destined for Denver.
“The first thing is to fly over there and do any physicals that you have to do and meet with the team,” he says. “You talk to the media and get sized and fitted for equipment.
“About a week after you get drafted, rookie camp starts, so you’ve got to get ready for that and for the OTAs. It’s a pretty fast turnaround.”
Blake was a member of the Broncos’ organization until being released after the 2013 pre-season. He was quickly claimed by the Arizona Cardinals and spent the 2013 regular season on their practice squad.
Blake returned to the Cardinals in 2014, but was among the final cuts.
He signed with Montreal on Jan. 8, 2015 and remained with the Alouettes until being traded to Saskatchewan on Oct. 10, 2018.
In 2019, Blake was part of a Saskatchewan team that posted a 13-5 regular-season record and placed first in the West Division.
He subsequently signed as a free agent with the hometown Toronto Argonauts, for whom he started at left tackle at Mosaic Stadium in a 24-23, Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Nov. 20, 2022.
A free agent once more, Blake rejoined the Roughriders on Feb. 14, 2023. He signed a one-year extension on Jan. 25 of this year.
As a Roughrider, Blake is part of an exclusive group. He is one of only three players to suit up for the Green and White after being drafted in the CFL and NFL.
That distinction was first held by offensive lineman Andrew Greene, who was chosen in the second round by the Roughriders (in 1994) and Miami Dolphins (1995). He debuted with the Roughriders in 1997 and also played for the team from 1999 to 2006.
In 2001, long snapper Randy Chevrier was chosen by the Edmonton Elks (Round 1) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 7). Chevrier dressed for three games with Saskatchewan in 2016.
Also of note is Saskatoon-born Lawrie Skolrood, who was claimed as a territorial exemption by Saskatchewan in 1974. In those days, each of the nine CFL teams was able to make two territorial picks in advance of the draft.
Skolrood, who began his CFL career as a tight end before moving to the offensive line, was the Dallas Cowboys’ 17th-round selection in 1974 … back in the days when there were 17th-round selections.
Blake is proud to be one of the few double draftees in Roughriders history. Most of all, he appreciates the opportunity to play professional football in his home and native land.
“I’m forever grateful,” he says. “Playing in the CFL is an amazing experience.
“It kept my career going. I always tell people that playing in the CFL revived my career and my love for the game of football.
“You’re in the NFL and you get cut and it’s your first experience (of that nature). You don’t know if you’re going to have an opportunity to play another game.”
As it turned out, he was just getting started. Late last season, he reached the 100-game milestone as a CFLer. Now he looks forward to adding to that total.
“Every year is a new challenge,” says Blake, 38. “That’s what I love about it. Every year is something new.
“It’s never monotonous. Every day is a challenge. Every practice is a challenge. I just enjoy that feeling and I enjoy that competitiveness and I’m glad that I’m able to play it, honestly.”
