Every game, don’t miss Barney Shynkaruk’s Behind the Facemask — a closer look at your favourite Saskatchewan Roughriders.
This week: Roughriders receiver and returner James Letcher Jr.
Barney Shynkaruk:
All right, it’s Behind the Facemask with James Letcher Jr.
Now I’ve got to ask — the Riders website lists you at 5-foot-7, 180 pounds. Wikipedia says 5-foot-6, 180.
Which one is right?
James Letcher Jr.:
They’re both wrong.
I’m 5-foot-8, 180.
Barney:
Were you always one of the smaller guys growing up, or did you just never hit that growth spurt?
James:
Yeah, I was always shorter.
I never really hit a growth spurt.
I’ve probably been around this height since I was a freshman in high school, maybe even earlier.
Barney:
You grew up in Kansas City, Kansas?
James:
Yep. Kansas City, Kansas.
Barney:
What was it like growing up there? What was football like as a kid?
James:
My dad played college football and spent some time with the Miami Dolphins, so football was always a big part of my life.
I also played basketball and baseball, so it was a little bit of everything.
But if I could get the neighbourhood together for some backyard football, that's what I wanted to do.
Barney:
You mentioned your dad. What about your mom and your siblings?
James:
I'm the youngest.
I've got two older sisters and an older brother, so I'm the baby of the family.
They like to cater to me.
Barney:
Were they athletic too?
James:
My older brother definitely was.
I wouldn't say the same about my sisters.
One of them was a cheerleader and the other wasn't really into sports.
They're all at least six years older than me.
Barney:
Besides football, what was your best sport?
James:
Honestly, I've told people that if I had played soccer growing up, I might have been a soccer player.
I didn't really learn much about soccer until I was older.
But if I had stayed with baseball, I think I could've been pretty good there too.
Barney:
Albert Awachie says he's a pretty good soccer player.
Did you know that?
James:
Yeah, he can play.
Barney:
What positions did you play in high school?
I'm guessing both sides of the ball.
James:
On offence, I played a little receiver, but mainly running back.
On defence, I played a little corner, but mostly safety.
In my senior year, I was a running back and a safety.
Barney:
Who were your favourite players growing up?
James:
Reggie Bush was probably my favourite.
Barry Sanders for sure.
Adrian Peterson, too.
Actually, one of my buddies used to call me "Young AP."
Then later on, Tavon Austin was another guy I really liked watching.
Barney:
You went to Washburn University.
The Ichabods… where does that nickname come from?
James:
It comes from Ichabod Washburn.
It's definitely a unique nickname.
Barney:
When did you first hear about the CFL?
James:
I remember being at practice one day and someone from Hamilton came by and told me they were interested and that I should look into the CFL.
At first, I didn't really pay attention because growing up in the U.S., you think it's NFL or nothing.
Then Montreal added me to its negotiation list, and I figured I should see what it was all about.
The rest is history.
Barney:
Favourite part of Montreal?
James:
The city life.
And definitely the people I met there.
Barney:
Biggest difference between Montreal and Regina?
James:
Nightlife.
A thousand percent.
Montreal always has something going on.
You can walk outside, hop on the Metro and find something to do.
Barney:
Besides Mosaic Stadium, what's your favourite road stadium in the CFL?
James:
This year, I'd probably say Montreal.
I know how loud that crowd gets because I played there as the home team.
Now I want to experience it as the visiting team.
Barney:
Let's go behind the curtain a little bit.
What's the pregame meal?
James:
It depends on whether we're home or away.
If I can, I'll usually go to OEB.
Otherwise, I'll make myself a breakfast sandwich with eggs and beef bacon.
I'll add a bunch of fruit too.
Nothing too heavy.
Barney:
What are you listening to during warm-ups?
James:
It's changed over the years.
I used to listen to a lot of gospel music.
Then I got into the Game of Thrones soundtrack while stretching and doing yoga.
Now it's mostly hip hop and rap.
I like Gunna, R&B… a little bit of everything.
Barney:
If someone handed you tickets to any concert, who are you seeing?
James:
Gunna.
No question.
I've already seen him once, and I'd go again tomorrow if I could.
Barney:
Are the Chiefs your NFL team?
James:
A thousand percent.
Barney:
When do you think Patrick Mahomes is back?
James:
Knowing him, he'd probably try to come back around Week 6 or 7.
But he needs to make sure he's completely healthy.
We all know what kind of player he is when he's healthy.
Barney:
On a scale of 1 to 10 — how confident are you that the Chiefs can get back to the Super Bowl?
James:
If Mahomes is healthy?
Seven-and-a-half.
Maybe an eight.
As long as he's healthy, we've always got a chance.
Barney:
James Letcher Jr., thanks for doing this.
James:
Appreciate it.
Another edition of Behind the Facemask with James Letcher Jr.
