Addison Shining in Second CFL Season

Bralon Addison’s college career ended in the way of a Hollywood a blockbuster. Unfortunately for his  Oregon Ducks they were on the wrong side of the ending.
The Ducks led Texas Christian University’s Horned Frogs 31-0 at halftime in the 2016 Alamo Bowl. TCU was in tough. Just two days before the game, they had suspended starting quarterback Trevone Boykin after an incident in a bar in San Antonio. This forced TCU to turn to walk-on senior Bram Kohlhausen who had never started a  game in his colligate career and had only attempted 19 passes prior to the game.
And.. Action!
TCU stormed back in the second half, the walk-on senior led them to 31 unanswered points to force overtime. Oregon was stunned, but as bad as the second half had gone, they still had a chance to win it in overtime. But, just as Hollywood would have wanted it, Kohlhausen ended up running in the winning touchdown in triple overtime and just like that Addison’s college career was over.
He jokes that maybe he’ll get to be an extra in the movie.
The 5’9, 197 pound receiver went undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft but caught on quickly with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. The Broncos saw him as a potential returner and offensive weapon who had a chance to crack their roster. He had a good camp, but ended up being cut before the season started. His NFL dream didn’t end there however and he was signed by the Chicago Bears in December and actually ended up playing two games for them in 2016. After the season, he was waived by the Bears and became a free agent.
In April 2018, the Toronto Argonauts reached out to Addison and signed him to their practice roster, where he would remain until late August when the Argos released him. What a break for the Ticats.
Interestingly, earlier this week Addison mentioned something that Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer told the group during 2019 training camp.
“Coach O said someone is going to get cut from here and end up all-pro somewhere else.” Perhaps Addison was the Argo’s version of that in 2018.
Less than a week after he was let go by Toronto, he was signed by the Ticats and is proving to be one of the best signings in recent memory. Addison played four games in 2018, something he says helped him get a grasp of the Canadian game.

“It was huge. I think that’s a big benefit to the one plus one contracts they do up here.” Says Addison. “It helped me get used to the amount of space on the field and the waggle and things like that so it was huge.”
His effort and work ethic last season caught the eye of Coach Steinauer, who was with the Ticats as their defensive coordinator in 2018.
“He’d send me texts in the offseason saying he was excited and ready to go.” Said Coach Steinauer. “He started to see some balls in the playoff game last year and I think his passion for football really started to come back.”
The 25-year old is having a break out season in his sophomore year in Canada. As of this writing he is currently first or second in the East Division in receptions, yards, touchdowns and yards after the catch. He’s neck and neck with teammate, Brandon Banks for the lead in those categories. Coincidentally, Banks is someone who Addison says he’s looked up to, even before he became a Ticat.
“It’s huge for me, him being a small guy like me, to have someone who’s been that successful to look up to, it’s huge.” Says Addison of his now teammate. “Even when I was in Toronto and I really didn’t even know him that well, I just saw the caliber of player he is and the success he’s had. It really gave me the confidence that I can be successful too.”
One of the reasons that Addison has been so successful, is his versatility. This season he’s lined up at receiver, running back and even as a wildcat quarterback.

“The offensive staff is doing a great job of moving him around and getting him the football. He’s a versatile athlete who can be utilized in more than one spot and in more than one different way.” Said Coach Steinauer.
Earlier in the year, Jeremiah Masoli joked that all former quarterbacks think they’re the best quarterback on the roster. Addison, who played quarterback in high-school is certainly confident in his abilities as a passer.
“Oh it’s a known fact around here. I’m QB four.” Addison said with a smile on his face.
Reluctantly, quarterback Dane Evans agrees.
“I’m gonna say Luke (Tasker), just because I don’t want to admit that it’s Bralon.” Said Evans of who’s the best passer among the non-quarterbacks.
With the Ticats sitting in first place in the East Division, excitement is running high throughout the Hammer. Something that isn’t lost on the players.
Addison says he’s looking forward to trying to help Banks add that one final piece to his resumé. It’s almost as if he’s working on another storybook ending but this time, he’s hoping it ends with him helping one of the best receivers in the league’s history win a Grey Cup.
“He cares about the team and he wants to win. He’s one of the best to ever do it in this league. He’s done everything he needs to do statistically, he just wants to win a cup, so he comes in with that mindset every day to help everybody get better.”  Said Addison of Banks’ legacy
Imagine that. 20 years after the Ticats’ last championship, they follow it up with one of the best players in the league’s history hoisting the Grey Cup over his head.
Bralon Addison would likely be more than an extra in that movie.