Everyone is raving about A.J. Allen's breakout season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. However, in Allen's opinion, people should not be surprised.
"I think I've been a playmaker. That's something you guys in the media are looking for, so that's part of it. But I also feel like I'm a good dude, I think that's part of it. I love football, I love interacting with people and having fun, and this is also fun. You guys love your job, I love my job. We're like friends, I think that's also part of it." Allen said to voice of the Riders, Dave Thomas.
"Football is great and being able to make plays is also incredible, but I think we got a good relationship. I don't think this week has been my coming-out party — I feel like people got to the party late."
This season, the six-foot, 210-pound linebacker played all 18 regular season games for the Green and White. He accumulated a career high in defensive tackles (87), interceptions (three), sacks (four), and forced fumbles (three). The Riders nominated Allen and his efforts for the Most Outstanding Canadian award.
Allen explained how his family and teammates have personally helped him and how that translates into success.
"I'm so grateful and humbled to be not only on this team but at this opportunity. It's incredible for me. I've had bad days, but that's when you lean on your support systems, your teammates, my beautiful girlfriend, Nicole, my mom, and my sister. That's when you lean on those people to help bring you up. You got a family, a girl and team like that, it's tough to continue to have a bad day, they happen, but not often for me," Allen said.
"I get to play football for a living, what could I possibly complain about? You know what I'm saying? I love this game, I've dreamed about playing this at a professional level forever. I'm living a dream, what a blessing."
The reason why the Riders are in the Grey Cup is they defeated the B.C. Lions in the West Final 24-21. Allen finished the game with two defensive tackles and one sack.
During the game, the Riders had the chance to tie the game on third down at the five-yard line with a touchdown. Instead, head coach Corey Mace elected to kick a field goal, which cut the Lions' lead to 21-17 in the fourth quarter with 2:44 left. When the Lions had the ball and a chance to answer, Allen made sure to stop Nathan Rourke on second and three with 90 seconds remaining at B.C.'s 43-yard line. The Lions would have to punt, Trevor Harris and the Riders would go down and score the winning touchdown with Tommy Nield.
"It meant everything to me because I'm a huge send-me guy, I'm also huge — don't ask me — but I'm a huge take-the-points guy. That's who I am. In that situation, plenty of time for us to go out there, get a stop, and still have a chance to tie the game. If you scored points, and whatever the case may be, who knows what would happen, we take the three there. You send us out there, we get you a stop, then we can take the ball the rest of the game and score a touchdown — that's a win. That's not a tie or situation up in the air — that's a win," Allen said.
"I was hoping for Mace to take the points and send us out there. It means a lot that he trusted us to make those plays when we needed them. All I do is make them once, make them twice. He punted the ball. He said, 'You all got it. I'm going to send you all out there. Get me the ball back, give me a stop.' He has faith in us as football players and that's all we can ask for. That's a lot of us looking at opportunities. That's what I was looking for, an opportunity to start, and he gave it to me. He trusted us and me at that moment and was forever grateful to be able to make plays."
The 112th Grey Cup between the Riders and the Alouettes goes on Sunday at 5 p.m. Listen or watch the 620 CKRM Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show at 2 p.m. Hear from Dave Thomas, Luc Mullinder, Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates.
