Fans flooded the concourses as the drumming rain picked up intensity. Sodden ponchos pressed against one another as spectators huddled tightly to avoid the elements. Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ blared over the speakers and the familiar refrain was belted by thousands of rain-soaked voices against a thunderous backing track outside.
The two-hour rain delay during the Labour Day Classic was not an ideal scenario, but some fans who packed the concourses were able to make the most of the imperfect circumstances. On the field, some players were able to do the same.
“At the end of the day, the other team is going through the same thing your team is going through,” says Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Brandon Banks, an example of a player who was able to overcome the environmental challenges. “You just have to be a pro and handle adversity like the Ticats know how to do.”
As the Labour Day game progressed, Banks’ stats began to accumulate at a torrential pace. As this article progresses, expect the weather puns to accumulate in a similar way. With that in mind, the threatening pitter-patter of the Argos’ defence wasn’t enough to slow his cumulo-nimble footsteps.
Banks shouldered punt return duties but still managed to post a touchdown and just shy of 100 receiving yards. Kick returns, normally Banks’ primary domain, were split between teammates, and predominantly handled by running back CJ Gable. Entering the game as the starting wideout was a new challenge for the veteran Banks. When asked if it felt natural for him, he responded with a simple “no”.
“I mean, it’s football, nothing different,” Banks expanded. “I played a couple of games here at wide receiver when guys went down. It’s still football, and I’m still out there just trying to make a play.”
Head Coach June Jones seems to share a similar mindset.
“You have to get the ball in the hands of guys who can make some plays,” says Coach Jones, touching on the importance of Banks to the Tiger-Cats system. “That’s always been my philosophy and that’s why he’s out there a little bit more than he’s ever been. I think he’s one of the fastest guys on our team.”
“Speed kills,” is another Coach Jones saying.
Speed is something of incredible value to a coach operating an offence heavily layered with run and shoot concepts. For those of you who have heard the term ‘run and shoot’ tossed around in connection with June Jones, but are unsure of what it means, a quick explanation can be found here.
Banks is an example of a person who is well acquainted with the run and shoot offence.
“I pretty much ran it all my life,” he says. “I ran that offence in college. I caught 120 balls in college, so I guess that’s the strength of my game. Just me getting the ball quick in space is all it is.”
Banks is happy to play a larger role in the Ticats’ offence, even if it means sacrificing some reps in the return game.
“I prefer to do everything, but I’m going to do whatever it takes for the team to win,” he says. “And I know my body wouldn’t hold up if I had to do all that and take those kinds of poundings, those kinds of hits, especially on kick returns.”
Banks has reached a point in his career where he has to start being wary of punishing his body to such extremes. With the recent signing of negotiation list player, Willie Quinn, Banks is at an age where one of his teammates grew up idolizing him.
“I’ve been watching Brandon Banks for quite a while, since he’s been in college at Kansas State,” says Quinn. “Like I told him yesterday, ‘I look up to you.’ When I said that he started smiling. I watched him go to the next level, the NFL. And once my agent told me I was coming here, I was kinda happy to be beside a guy like that.”
Banks responds with a laugh.
“When he came up to me and said that, he made me feel old,” says Banks.
And Banks is certainly a veteran, but he believes, and Coach Jones believes, that he still has the wheels to be an impactful piece of this new Tiger-Cats offence.
“Some of them younger guys still can’t run with me. I’m still out there running, so I’ll think I’m 21 years-old until I can’t run anymore,” says Banks.
The weather. Age. An 0-8 start. It’s just a growing list of things to overcome. And if Banks and the Tiger-Cats can overcome everything the way they overcame the weather, the team could make history.
“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of history. It’s what you live for. It’s what you play the game for. Man, if we turn this thing around, what better story could you be a part of?” asks Banks.
So it’s history then: that’s why the Tiger-Cats just won’t stop believin’.