Linebacker Nick Shortill was nicknamed “The Bully” by the veterans on the McMaster Marauders football squad when he was a first year player.
It’s a testament to the way he plays the game; hard, aggressive and tough.
“For a freshman to get that [nickname], just the intensity that he brought to practice, and his relenting refusal to back down from anything, is saying something,” said Ticats offensive coordinator Stephen Ptaszek. “Most freshman have to be eased in. Nick was ready to be a superstar from the time he got to McMaster.”
Shortill played under Ptaszek as a member of the Marauders from 2011 to 2014. They were both a part of the McMaster team that won the school’s first and only Vanier Cup to date in 2011 after defeating the Laval Rouge et Or 41-38 in overtime. Ticats defensive back Mike Daly was also on the roster.
The McMaster trio has been reunited after the Ticats traded linebacker Frederic Plesius to the Montreal Alouettes in exchange for Shortill on Sunday. Plesius, a Laval native, will also be returning to his roots. Ironically, he played for the Rouge et Or and was a part of the team that McMaster defeated in 2011.
Shortill says that his return to Hamilton initially came as a surprise, but is a welcomed move.
“It was a little bit of a shock at first,” said Shortill. “It’s not a great feeling at first. But then, when I heard I was getting traded to Hamilton, it was more of a relief. I have a lot of connections here, and family in the area. Plus, the team has been great recently, with the new stadium and everything.”
Many football players are described as “tough,” but Shortill gives the term a new meaning.
The six-foot-two linebacker almost didn’t take the field during the 47th Vanier Cup back in 2011. He was quarantined in his Vancouver hotel room the entire week with a terrible flu. He didn’t practice for days, and when the bus left for the stadium on game day, he was not on board.
“I remember we’re driving to the stadium… and Nick’s not there,” recalls Ptaszek. “He needed the extra two hours in bed because he’s got a fever and he’s not well, so the extra two hours will matter and he can come a little later. If it’s any other student athlete, [defensive coordinator] Coach Knox and myself would be worried he’s not playing, but because it’s Nick Shortill, we knew he was going to play, and play well, and he’s just going to have to tough it out.
“That’s just the kid he is. He’s a tough, tough, tough, kid.”
His toughness persevered.
Shortill made it to the field just before kickoff and started the game. He registered two tackles, including a sack for a loss of six yards, to help his teammates hoist the most prized trophy in U Sports.
His determination to play did not go unnoticed by his fellow Marauders.
“I remember during the game it was pretty funny because he was playing SAM linebacker at the time and I was playing free safety so I had to talk to him every play,” said Daly. “Every time I’d look over to him and try to talk to him, it was exactly like trying to talk to a zombie. You looked into his face and there was just nothing there. He was trying to hold it together. His face was just pale white.
“It was actually pretty impressive that he played in that game to be honest, and that he actually made some plays too.”
Along with his hardnosed style of play, Shortill brings versatility to the Ticats team. He was drafted 13th overall by the Als back in 2015 and established himself as a special team threat during his two year tenure in Montreal. Shortill appeared in all 18 games and registering 17 special teams tackles in 2016.
“That’s what I’m comfortable with,” Shortill said of his special teams’ role. “That’s what I’ve been doing. Obviously I’d like to progress into something starting, and get more reps down the line, but if that’s my role than that’s my role, and I’m going to play it.”
Daly and Shortill see each other often during the months leading up to June. They train together at McMaster everyday during the offseason.
Ptaszek says he is anxious to see what the newest Marauder turned Ticat will accomplish while wearing the Black and Gold.
“I saw the Facebook post [of the trade] and all I had to do was click like,” said Ptsazek. “I look forward to seeing him in person and letting him know I’m so excited to see him continue his career, front row.”