Picture a father and son playing catch. The leaves are in flux, some green, some tarnished to the colours of fall. The trees mark the changing seasons, mark progress and change. Each year, around the same time, countless families across North America bond through the act of throwing and catching a football.
There are few things as simple or as meaningful.
Sometimes, football can take on an even greater importance. Such is the case for Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ receiver Jalen Saunders, and his dad, Walter.
Saunders started the season on the Ticats’ practice roster and is now the team’s leading receiver. He is on pace to close out the 2017 campaign with over 1,100 receiving yards in fewer than 18 games of work.
Saunders was one of the most consistent downfield threats for the Ticats when the team was struggling early in the season.
Saunders was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round, 104th overall, of the 2014 NFL Draft. He appeared in three regular season games with the Jets before signing as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, making a couple pit stops in other NFL cities along the way. Saunders played in six games with the Saints where he was used predominantly as a punt and kick returner.
(Jalen Saunders warms up at Tim Hortons Field)
Saunders’ NFL career came to a premature end after he was traded from the Saints to the Patriots and eventually released for the final time by the Bears.
Saunders is a talented football player. The sheer number of NFL teams which signed him to their practice roster is a clear indication of his potential, not even considering his CFL success this season.
Unfortunately for Saunders, the tumultuous path of his professional football career does more than indicate talent. It also indicates adversity.
Thankfully, Saunders’ dad, Walter, has always been there to coach him through the difficult times.
“If I need to talk to someone, I call him,” said Saunders. “If we need to argue so he can get something across my head, he’s not going to sugar coat anything. He’s going to tell me how it is, right or wrong. I can always go to him for anything.”
And Walter has been there from the start.
“Just growing up with him made me see life a little different,” said Saunders. “I didn’t really have older friends or people around my age growing up, like family members, so I always stuck around my dad or my younger brother and my older sisters.”
But just as Saunders’ story reminds us of the importance of family, it also reminds us of the fragility of life.
“He [Walter] got sick. He stopped playing ball for me,” said Saunders. “Right now he’s fighting a life-long battle with a disease he has.”
Walter has San Joaquin Valley Fever, a fungal disease which develops into a chronic condition for a small percentage of people who are diagnosed. It results in many adverse health effects.
“He’s a warrior,” said Saunders. “He’s like my best friend, my role model.”
Saunders’ family has been fighting alongside Walter for years, and it’s been a winning fight.
“My dad is my role model. That’s just who I live up to,” said Saunders. “I have uncles and whatnot playing in the NFL and other people I look up to, professional athletes. But honestly, it’s just my dad.”
Saunders will have a chance to go back home and visit his dad after the Ticats close out the season.
His inspiring story gives us reason to pause as another year of CFL football comes to an end, and the leaves change colour and will eventually fall.