Alouettes’ tailback Walter Fletcher realizes CFL legacies are written in November, during the post-season, and not between June and October.
Fletcher also knows he’s eligible to become a free agent come February should the Als not attempt to re-sign him earlier.
But his true motivation stems from the fact he wasn’t dressed last November during Montreal’s magical playoff run and Grey Cup championship. He was a healthy scratch for both the East Division semifinal and final, along with the upset of Winnipeg in the title game. Fletcher had to watch while the Als went with import William Stanback and Canadian Jeshrun Antwi.
Although Fletcher received a Grey Cup ring from the organization, his name doesn’t appear on the Cup because he wasn’t dressed. That scenario won’t occur this season, should the Als become the CFL’s first repeat champions since Winnipeg in 2019 and ’21. (The league didn’t play in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic). But first the Als must defeat the Toronto Argonauts in Saturday afternoon’s division final at Molson Stadium.
“My No. 1 motivation is to win the Grey Cup and get my name on the trophy,” Fletcher told The Gazette. “At the end of the day we’re all one team. But for me, as a competitor, I obviously wanted to be out there (last season) and help the team win. We had a great running-back corps and I wanted to see those guys succeed. At the same time, it’s pro football and your time is limited. It was tough as a competitor, but we got the job done and I’m happy I have a ring.”
When Stanback signed with B.C. as a free agent, Fletcher became the favourite to replace him, although he knew he would have to earn the job at training camp over Canadians Sean Thomas-Erlington, Antwi — since traded to B.C. — and import rookie Stevie Scott, who spent most of the season on the practice roster.
Although a modest 5-foot-9 and 206 pounds, Fletcher held up his end. The Als don’t run the ball frequently and only exceeded Hamilton and Ottawa in rushing attempts. Nonetheless, Fletcher gained 764 yards on 141 attempts (5.4-yard average) while scoring four touchdowns. He was arguably more effective as a receiver coming out of the backfield, with 71 receptions for 682 yards and three touchdowns.
Of his receiving yards, a league-leading 626 came after the catch, proving how dangerous Fletcher is in open space.
That’s a combined 1,446 yards, and those totals would have been higher had Fletcher not been made a healthy scratch for a late-season game in Vancouver.
“You don’t want to pay attention to outside noise,” Fletcher said. “At the same time, a lot of people said I wasn’t a No. 1 back. A lot of people said they wanted other guys to be in this position. This is motivating to finish the job and be a main focal point and contribute to a win. It’s extremely motivating to be a part of that and be a part of history.
“I wanted to show versatility in my game while showing I could be a complete No. 1 back. Be someone this team can depend on, someone you have to make sure you pay attention to. I played 17 games and showed I could take the load as well.”
Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo calls Fletcher ‘Old Faithful’ based on his reliability and says he leans on him heavily. And Fajardo can attest to Fletcher’s motivation.
“Even sitting against B.C. was motivation because he was healthy and ready to play,” Fajardo said. “I think he’ll have a chip on his shoulder. A little bit of an edge at this time of year also is people’s contracts, which come into question. People try to earn extra money in the playoffs when their contracts are up.”
Although the Als received an opening-round playoff bye, the team practised three days last week before receiving a four-day respite. Practices resumed Tuesday afternoon at Stade Hébert in St-Léonard.
“Our work ethic is second to none,” said head coach Jason Maas, the division finalist as coach of the year. “To take off a week doesn’t sit well with anyone and isn’t what we’re about. Hopefully, we were able to get an extra leg up on the competition … to get ahead mentally. You’re trying to take advantage of what’s given to you.
“This made us a better team … more experienced. Working when you don’t have to, there’s something to that. We could have taken the time off but chose the harder path. We’re trying to improve, not stay status quo.”
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