The Road Less Travelled Led Toronto Argonaut Shane Richards To The Top Of The CFL Draft

I had a lot of success with football in high school.

Originally, I signed a letter of intent with the Calgary Dinos, but I wasn’t the best student so that fell through.

After speaking with Adam Blasetti, who was coaching with the Colts at the time, I decided to make the best out of it to see what would happen.

Now, here we are.

Before OSU I went to junior college in Roswell New Mexico, “New Mexico Military Institute”.

I learned a lot there because I didn’t know how to be a good student academically or be a disciplined student. I also got a better understanding of how I learned and understood school material.

I think that along with a lot more things and tricks I learned there really help prepare me for OSU.

No, I felt good as far as knowledge of the game goes. I felt comfortable overall.

However, the speed of the game was significantly faster and your thought process has to be a lot faster.

After leaving my junior college, I was much more focused at OSU since I knew I didn’t have much time to make decisions.

I tried to stay focused as much as possible in school, on the field and off the field.

We have had a pretty great relationship so far.

He helped me through pretty much every stage of my football career.

I consult him on most, if not every football decision.

He’s helped me in more ways than I can remember and is someone I will always keep in my corner.

I think I’m still trying to do that.

After starting my first game, I got hurt and that took me out for most of the year.

To follow that up, we have been living during a pandemic so I haven’t had a chance to show my worth yet.

That’s what I’m looking forward to next year. I’ve been training this whole year so I’m ready for that.

For me, my path has given me knowledge and perspective from the first time ever picking up a football in high school to playing for team Canada in Kuwait, NMMI in New Mexico, to playing at OSU.

Even after that, I was redshirted my senior year and then pulled my groin in my redshirt year and was still drafted first overall in the CFL.

I’m grateful for everything that happened. My story is different from many others and this is my journey after all.