Andy Fantuz’s path from fresh-faced CFL rookie to cereal-box greatness required his share of signature plays and moments along the way.
Though there were Grey Cup glory and remarkable receiving performances, the Canadian former slotback wouldn’t have achieved his success without a few early lessons.
Voice of the Roughriders Dave Thomas recently chatted with Fantuz about his outstanding Roughriders career – and a few lighter topics, too.
Here is their conversation, edited lightly for clarity:
Dave Thomas: Green and White Greats, celebrating one of the greatest receivers of all time and celebrating the 20th anniversary of being the third overall draft pick in 2006 for your Saskatchewan Roughriders: Andy Fantuz. Twenty years; does it seem like that long?
Andy Fantuz: (Laughs.) I can’t believe it. Twenty years ago was when I was just wide-eyed, putting the green and white on just trying to do whatever I can to make the team and make the community proud. Wow. No, I cannot believe it’s been 20 years. I really can’t. It seems like yesterday.
DT: If you go back to 2005, you’re winning the Hec Crighton (Trophy). You rack up 825 yards that season. You turn U Sports on its head with the season you have. If you could go back to that point and say, “Hey, here’s where I’m at today,” what would you tell yourself?
AF: (Laughs.) Um, wow. What would I tell myself? A lot of things, probably. (Laughs.) I don’t have any regrets. I’m very blessed with all the opportunities that I’ve had, everything that’s come my way. I have a beautiful family, two daughters. Everything is good and gravy right now. But I probably would have dug my heels in a little harder. It’s easy to say now, looking back, what I could have done differently to be a little more successful in my career. But overall, I surrounded myself with lots of good people, great teammates and coaches. I was able to dive into the community and get the full experience from the CFL, being a CFL player – and I really cherish those moments.
DT: You didn’t get the full first training camp experience as you were with the Detroit Lions at the time. When you arrived in Saskatchewan, what was it like coming in and what were your first impressions?
AF: Well, it was a big jump. If younger athletes are listening, like a jump from high school to university, a jump from university to the pros, the speed, the professionalism, the attitudes amongst the players, even just how the coaches are very black and white about everything and not just holding your hand: You’ve got to just come and soak it all in. I was blown away by the talent on every aspect of the game – the size of the players, the speed, the tips and techniques that they learn. I got shut down a lot in that first year, that first training camp. Even the guys on the defensive side – I remember guys like Eddie Davis and Omarr Morgan – they would come up to me in the cafeteria or something and they would give me some tips and say, “This is why I stopped you on that play. This is what you showed me.” Those little things really helped accelerate my development more than you could put words to.
DT: You walk into the Saskatchewan Roughriders dressing room for the first time and old Taylor Field. Your first thoughts and impressions?
AF: (Laughs.) It still was an impressive facility, coming from a small town and never really playing in that type of building. I realize now, compared to the new Mosaic Stadium, what the difference is. But I thought it was the best place to play in the league. There was a lot of people there. It seemed like they were just closer. They were more vertical and they were loud. I don’t know if it was comfortable for the fans, but it was certainly loud on the field. Just the stories you hear from people travelling 10 hours every other weekend for the home games, doing the tailgate, doing the whole shebang, I thought it was just a really cool place. I was really blessed to be part of that whole experience.
DT: I was trying hard to find your first CFL touchdown on YouTube. Maybe it was because it wasn’t a receiving touchdown (that I couldn’t find it). Is that right?
AF: That’s right! Yeah. You did your homework. It was against the B.C. Lions. Kerry Joseph took it up the middle and was running for a touchdown. He got the ball knocked out inside the five (yard line). We were taught to down to the ball and keep going, keep blocking. I just happened to be right place, right time. I was able to dive on it. I got a fumble recovery as my first touchdown. But later that game, I did get the overtime winner. I had two in that game. I remember running down the sideline into the rest of my teammates and going crazy. That was a special day for me.
DT: You know, it’s been interesting this season in the CFL with different receivers, even on different teams, that have gone off. Did you have a game where you went off and everything you did seemed to work?
AF: Um, geez. I guess the first time would have been that 2007 game in Hamilton where Kerry threw the first two passes of the game to me. He threw me a corner route, and then I lined up at X that next play and threw me a go ball. I had two plays for 70 or 80 yards and a touchdown. Throughout that game, I got two other touchdowns. I had like 240 (yards receiving). We were having a lot of fun. We didn’t even need to pass that much. I caught like three long plays, which wasn’t really something I was known for.
DT: Is there another game that stands out as the most special of your career? I know it’s like picking your favourite child. You can’t do that. But is the Grey Cup that one?
AF: Yeah! OK, so the Grey Cup would definitely be the most memorable game, but I wouldn’t say everything went my way. Kerry and I were not on the same page on a few plays. We got past the defence, and I was a little too slow for his balls a couple times. (Laughs.) We almost had a really big game, but we just couldn’t connect. But I did have a couple nice conversations, including that winning touchdown. So, that one for sure stands out as the most special game I ever played in. We had a number of games against Calgary where, individually I did really well, but also as a team it was a really exciting game. We went to overtime a few times. We had lots of yards and points on both sides. The games were back and forth. Those ones are always really fun and it comes down to the wire, instead of just having a blowout and having a really impressive individual stat game.
DT: If I could give you the opportunity for you and Darian Durant, one more time, on the field together right now, what pattern do you want to run for him?
AF: (Laughs.) Um, I’d probably run a dig because I know I won’t blow a wheel. I won’t run too far. I know I could catch it and get a first down for him.
DT: You mentioned your family. Has your family ever had a bowl of Fantuz Flakes?
AF: No, I won’t let them. I think it would kill them now. What is it, 16 years expired now? They’ve seen it. They (the kids) think it’s cool. They’re still pretty young. My wife’s had it.
DT: If you had to provide your family with a bowl of cereal, which would you choose: Fantuz Flakes or Darios?
AF: (Laughs.) Oh, Fantuz Flakes. Of course! Way better.
DT: Lastly, you give back to the province and the community still. Even though you’ve been retired for a number of years, you come back annually for the Winter Classic. Why is it important to give back as a Saskatchewan Roughrider player?
AF: Well, Saskatchewan gave so much to me. It helped me grow into the person I am today. It welcomed me with open arms, the people in Regina, throughout the province, and worldwide. I see Rider flags and colours everywhere. It was embracing. It was really heartwarming for me. I’m more than happy to give back. I still bleed green and will never forget those years of wearing the green and white. I’m just happy to give back in any way I can.
