Playing the hand he was dealt

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/05/2016 (2883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If it weren’t for the insistence of C.J. Wilson’s father in a hospital room last year, the former NFLer would be far from Winnipeg and far from the game he loves.

Wilson was home in North Carolina on Independence Day in 2015 when a canister holding fireworks malfunctioned, causing the fireworks to explode.

The result was the loss of his index finger and middle finger on his right hand. If not for his father, Curtis Wilson Sr., doctors would have amputated his whole hand.

“He was like, ‘Naw, ya’ll going to put his hand back together,’ ” Wilson said Thursday after being signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers prior to the team’s third day of rookie camp. “I’m grateful that God brought my dad into that room to let him see that, because if not, I wouldn’t have a right hand right now.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the defensive back on the reserve/retired list following the accident. He’d played two games with the club in 2014 after time spent with the Chicago Bears the season prior as a rookie.

Now in Winnipeg, and itching for a chance to play the game again, Wilson doesn’t want to be judged by what’s missing.

“A lot of people thought I was playing around with fireworks, but it was something I did all the time,” he said. “I never necessarily had the firework in my hand, it shot out of the canister the wrong way, it was faulty.

“I don’t look at it as an accident. I look at it more as a next step in life. I had to grow from that and I had to become a better man and, hopefully, a better football player.”

Naturally a lefty, Wilson said God spared him from losing his dominant hand. He said his game as a defensive back isn’t predicated on his hands as much as it is on his speed.

“It’s an adjustment, I still got some growing to do but I think the type of guy I am, growing fast, it will start to come natural to me,” he said.

During the post-practice media scrum Thursday, Wilson kept his gloved hands behind his back. He said he’s not trying to draw attention to what happened.

“I’d rather you acknowledge me for the player that I am, not for circumstances I’m in,” he said after a request to see his hand was made. “It’s a minor setback for a major comeback.”

Wilson is more than grateful to be given a chance by the Blue Bombers and, despite his ordeal, his sense of humour has come away unscathed.

“It’s the best three-finger hand I’ve seen.”

A cut above the rest

Here are five players who stood out at this week’s rookie camp:

Wide receiver Jace Davis

Davis was the best receiver in rookie camp. He’s had some legal issues down south, including a DUI that got him suspended by the National Football League earlier this month. He said Thursday his troubles are behind him, however, and he’s ready take his crack at the opening-day roster. Coach Mike O’Shea pegged him as a guy who popped off the page, saying he seemed to be the whole package.

Defensive back Taylor Loffler

O’Shea had much good to say about Loffler following Thursday’s practice, saying he’s a good, smart football player who seems to have a veteran’s presence about him. Not a bad nod for a third-round pick in the 2016 CFL Draft. O’Shea said the learning curve for Loffler will likely be short.

Running back Carlos Anderson

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Business Weekly

Monday mornings

The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week.

Sign up for Business Weekly

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

He’s explosive. And while finding him a spot on the roster could prove difficult due to the ratio, Bomber fans will remember his return-game prowess. GM Kyle Walters said he was looking for an American tailback to step up. Anderson just might be that guy.

Defensive back Johnny Patrick

A veteran of 37 NFL games, Patrick brings a wealth of experience to the secondary. His athletic ability is there, and he picked up the waggle quickly. He’s also motivated to make his return to the NFL one day.

Defensive end Trent Corney

If there’s one spot at training camp that will be hotly contested, it going to be the defensive end position opposite Jamaal Westerman. Corney would like nothing more than to pencil his name in.