Maurice Leggett (31) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the official TSN session for CFL at the Axworthy Health & RecPlex Centre in Winnipeg MB, Friday, March 23, 2017 (Photo: Johany Jutras)
Maurice Leggett plunks down into a chair, and instantly, the preaching begins.
By no means is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers versatile linebacker/defensive back delivering a religious sermon. Making the rounds during one of the media days at CFL Week, Leggett sat down with bluebombers.com and offered not only an update on the Achilles injury that cut short his all-star calibre 2017 season, but his plans to be back on the field at 100 percent in 2018.
And by the end of an impassioned 10-minute session, the 31-year-old would have even the most hardened cynic ready to believe. That message was doubled down as Leggett rose to leave, turning his back to reveal a single word emblazoned across the shoulders of his blue sweatshirt:
‘PURPOSE’
“I’m further along than I expected, especially with this type of injury,” began Leggett. “Myself and Al (Couture, Bombers Head Athletic Therapist), (GM) Kyle Walters and Coach (Mike) O’Shea have had discussions about training camp. I’ll be ready for training camp, but it might be limited because this will be my 11th professional year.
“If my body is OK then I’ll be practising every play if I have to and if I want to.”
Maurice Leggett (31) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the official TSN session for CFL at the Axworthy Health & RecPlex Centre in Winnipeg MB, Friday, March 23, 2017 (Photo: Johany Jutras)
Just to briefly recap, Leggett’s 2017 season ended on an innocent play in a 26-20 victory over the B.C. Lions back on October 14th. Fielding a Lions on-side kick attempt in the game’s dying moments, Leggett crumpled into a ball after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
It was a devastating injury not only because it took a gifted playmaker out of the Bombers lineup heading into their playoff push, but because it also cast a shadow on Leggett’s future as a pending free agent who had just turned 31 and now facing months of rehab.
Leggett was re-signed in February just before the free agent market opened, but it’s also no coincidence the club scooped up Chandler Fenner – who plays the same position – in free agency. Both men can also play halfback, it’s worth noting, giving the defence much more flexibility and options.
Also worth noting is this: Leggett will play anywhere he is asked.
“I haven’t even thought about it… Look, if they put me at middle linebacker I’ll be OK with it,” said Leggett with a grin. “That’s how I prepare myself. I played linebacker in college and in my rookie year in the NFL and in the nickel package I took on some legendary running backs and fullbacks. It’s nothing new to me. My national championship game (at Valdosta State) and in my freshmen year in college, I played at defensive end a few plays.
“I pay attention. I’m always willing to learn with technique. It’s not just size that makes you excel, it’s your size and your willingness to work hard. I also always mess with LaPo (Offensive Coordinator Paul LaPolice and (Quarterbacks coach) Buck (Pierce) about it… I could play offence. I was recruited as a running back, I just refused to be redshirted so I moved to defence.”
Maurice Leggett (31) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the official TSN session for CFL at the Axworthy Health & RecPlex Centre in Winnipeg MB, Friday, March 23, 2017 (Photo: Johany Jutras)
Those last couple of paragraphs are classic Leggett. He’s not the type to thump his chest – he does forever feel under-appreciated in those who watch the CFL – but there’s a quiet confidence/bravado about the man. That trait was born with him and was further fuelled by the athletes in his family he grew up around in McKeesport, PA – people like Swin Cash, the former UConn basketball star and U.S. Olympian; former NFL linebacker Brandon Short, and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin – all of them Leggett’s cousins.
“Curtis Martin… he used to come and drink my Kool-Aid all the time at my grandmother’s house when I was a kid. I hated it,” said Leggett with a laugh. “We’re older now, but I still remember that.
“But all of my family has been there for me growing up and especially now through the rehab. Christin, Malik’s (his son) mom, has been a big help. She’s been very supportive through all this because it is a tough injury to work through.
“I’ve set goals. I’m always setting goals. And ask any player around the league – I don’t trash talk. I’ll trash talk right now around these guys here at CFL Week, but it’s all in fun. On the field, I don’t talk trash because when I go into a game I’m more nervous about my abilities than anyone on earth because I don’t want to make a mistake and let my teammates down.
“That’s how I’ve always been and that’s going to continue this year. I’ll be ready.”
