Stewart To Be Ticats Alumnus Of Distinction Saturday

Former Ticats defensive back Brandon Stewart will be returning to Tim Hortons Field on Saturday as the club’s Alumnus of Distinction presented by Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers for Hamilton’s preseason opener against the Toronto Argonauts at Tim Hortons Field.

Stewart played 138 games over 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League, including 36 games over two seasons in black & gold (2014-15) and coincidentally played in the final game at Ivor Wynne Stadium (with Winnipeg) and in the inaugural game at Tim Hortons Field with Hamilton.

“I was surprised and honoured. It’s always nice to be honoured after a long career.” Says Stewart of how he felt upon hearing that he would be the club’s Alumnus of Distinction on Saturday.

Even though he hasn’t suited up for the Tiger-Cats in eight years, Stewart still has plenty of connections in Hamilton, including former teammates Simoni Lawrence and Ted Laurent, Special Teams Coordinator & Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Jeff Reinebold and President of Football Operations & Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer, who was Stewart’s defensive coordinator with the Ticats.

“Brandon is one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached.” Says coach Steinauer. “He was labeled early in his career as a field corner and when we moved him to boundary half, he didn’t blink. He played special teams, he never missed practice, he worked hard and he was an awesome teammate who led by example. It’s not hard to see why he was chosen for this.”

“Coach O changed my experience as a football player and he changed my life as a man.” Says Stewart “He saw the talent in me, he saw the passion and he saw that I played the game the right way. He asked me to lead by example and I just always tried to show the younger guys that it’s not always what you say but also how you do it.”

Like Steinauer, Stewart is from Seattle, Washington and chose to stay in the Hamilton area after his playing career.

The Alumnus of Distinction program, presented by Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers began in 2022 and recognizes a former Hamilton Tiger-Cat before every home game. Previous Alumni of Distinction include Darren Flutie, Andy Fantuz, Dave Stala, Luke Tasker, Sandy Beveridge and more. Stay tuned for details regarding future Alumni of Distinction for the 2023 season!