By François Ferland
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – Éric Deslauriers, who had not only the good fortune, but also the honour of catching Anthony Calvillo’s historic 395th touchdown pass this past July 15 at Percival Molson Stadium, walked away from the special moment a wiser man, having learned a lesson that will likely help him grow as a player.
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Éric Deslauriers is more convinced today than ever of the importance of persevering in one’s work. |
“What I took away from that game is that you always have to be ready to answer the call, and that week after week, you have to keep preparing yourself for anything,” said Deslauriers, whose historic touchdown catch was also his first from Calvillo, and only the second of his career. The only other touchdown pass thrown to him thus far in his career came from the hands of Marcus Brady.
Deslauriers knows that it was a gift from the heavens that fell right into his hands when he was called upon to replace the injured Jamel Richardson at slotback two weeks ago, and it’s precisely because he realizes this that he was able to take away a lesson from that fateful game, despite the strong emotions on hand.
“When it was confirmed that I would be the one replacing Richardson, I told myself that I must have done something during a practice that allowed me to merit the starting spot,” recalled Deslauriers.
It’s worth remembering that Deslauriers is currently in his fifth season with the Alouettes, he who was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2006. He joined the team in July 2007, after trying his luck in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Deslauriers, who graduated from the University of Eastern Michigan with a diploma in communications and marketing, continues to take notes and study every practice, so that he can be ready, as he so aptly put it, for when his talents are finally called upon more regularly.
“The offensive system built by Coach Trestman demands a lot of perseverance,” confirmed Deslauriers. “In fact, when I’m at home, I often ask my wife Sophia to read me plays, as if she was Anthony (Calvillo), so that I can determine what my role would be in any given one.”
Deslauriers, 30, is more convinced today than ever of the importance of persevering in one’s work. “You have to always be ready to take what has been learned during practices and transfer it to an actual game situation on a moment’s notice.”
Notes: Éric Deslauriers wore the colours of the Champlain College Cougars, in Lennoxville, while playing in the Quebec Collegiate AAA Football League… In 2004, while at Eastern Michigan, he caught 84 passes for 1,257 yards and 13 touchdowns… He finished fourth in the NCAA’s Division I with an average of 114 yards per game.
