Beyond the Field with Anthony Woodson

What is the best album or song out right now?
“Right now I’m listening to The Weeknd’s new album. I can’t remember what it’s called, but that’s my dude.”
Do you have a go-to pre-game meal? 
“Always pasta, I try and do the carb-load thing before games, that works for me.”
Who’s the football player you idolized growing up? 
“My dad actually played pro ball as well, so I obviously idolized him quite a bit. But other than my dad, I’d have to say “Sweetness”, Walter Payton. That was my guy growing up, I always wanted to run like him.”

 
Who’s the best player you’ve ever played against or with? 
“I’ve been really fortunate, I’ve had some great teammates and I can name some off of every team I’ve been on. There was Chad Simpson when I was in Winnipeg, Chad Owens and Andre Durie when I was in Toronto. Out here we have Luke Tasker and Bakari Grant, those are two great players that you can learn from.”
Is there a story behind your number 18?
“I could say the show ‘Ballers’, but I’d be lying. It just looked good, so that’s what I went with.”
Which guys do you hang out with most from the team?
“I live with a bunch of rookies, so they’re kind of keeping me young. I live with Ron Omara, Stephen Mawa, Ellefsen and [Everton] Williams.”
What’s your favourite off-field activity?
“I have a three year old dog, and I like taking him to the dog park, going out and getting outdoors. He’s a Parson Russell Terrier, a little guy.”

Is there one football memory that stands above all the rest?
“Growing up I guess, growing up with all of my friends, getting the camaraderie and playing with my family. I’ll always keep those memories really close to me.”
What’s your favourite non-football sport to watch?
“I honestly will only watch football, but if I’m not watching football I’m watching HBO, so any HBO series. (Ballers, Game of Thrones, Entourage)”
What brought you to Hamilton?
“This was the first time in my career where I got to pick and choose my situation. I got on the phone with Coach Austin and I just saw that all our values were in line, talking about teamwork, hard work, dedication, family, going through everything together, and growth, which is something that’s really important to me. I talked to him for about 20 minutes, and when I got off the phone I knew I had to come here.”
What’s your favourite city that you’ve played in?
“I do love it out here, it’s got that small-town vibe, there’s a great community here and the weather’s awesome. We’ll see when it gets to November, we’ll see whether I feel that same way, but for now the weather’s great.”