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By Medicine Hat News on November 1, 2016.

Ghosts and goblins aren’t nearly as scary for CFL defenders as the sight of Calgary Stampeder running back Jerome Messam bearing down on them.

At 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, he’s a throwback to the days of Johnny Bright, Cookie Gilchrist, Bob Swift and Earl “the Earthquake” Lunsford. It’s no wonder he will likely be this year’s rushing champion with 1,198 yards.

“Most people see me as a tight end, fullback prototype,” he said. “I’m pretty agile, though. I hold my weight well and I’m in the 4.5 (seconds over 40 yards) range for speed.”

Despite his great talent, Messam has had a checkered career.

The Brampton, Ont. native attended the North Dakota State College of Science and Graceland University in Iowa, neither noted as football or academic powerhouses. Don’t let that fool you. Messam is a bright, articulate young man. Actually, in athletic terms he is fairly long of tooth at 31 years of age.

B.C. signed him as a free agent in 2010 but sent him to Edmonton the following year over a training camp indiscretion. He not only behaved himself, he was a West Division and CFL all-star and won the outstanding Canadian award.

He didn’t make the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in 2012, returning to the Eskimos in August and was used sparingly. Edmonton sent him to the Alouettes the following year for a sixth-round draft choice. After a so-so year with the Larks, Messam signed with Saskatchewan. He ran for 382 yards in 2014 and broke loose in 2015 for 826 yards in green and white. Desperate for a place-kicker, the Riders traded him to Calgary last October for Tyler Crapigna, who was stuck on the practice roster behind Rene Paredes.

Messam was an all-star last year. He should be the West’s choice for 2016 outstanding Canadian. He has found a home at the Crowfoot Corral. How come?

“I’d say health and opportunity. With Jon Cornish leaving last year, I came in at a time where I could kind of pick up where he left off. (Calgary general manager John Hufnagel) gave me the opportunity; he believed in me. I just wanted to make them know they made a good choice.”

Because of minor injuries and neglect, Messam has only completed two full campaigns. The Stamps are benefitting from previous lack of playing time.

“Early on in the CFL, I wasn’t getting that many reps and I had a chance to heal my body and get my knees ready. In Saskatchewan when I was healthy, I was still splitting time with Anthony Allen so I didn’t have that much of a workload. When I came here late in the season, I was still fresh.”

What impact on his body will a full workload have?

“Not much,” he replied. “I haven’t really been getting that many carries a game. The most carries I’ve had was 17. That’s a testimony to coach (Dave Dickenson) and his offence which is so balanced. It’s a little bit of a testimony to my production. I don’t get 20 carries a game so I have to make the most of my opportunities. I feel I get stronger as the game goes on. My fourth quarter stats are pretty good.”

You would think his greatest strength as a running back would be size but Messam disagreed. “I’d say my vision. Early on in my career I don’t think I trusted my eyes enough. I have great vision now. My eyes enable me to be patient so when I see the hole I can hit it at full speed â€” slow to the hole and fast once you see it.”

His relationship with quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is crucial.

“Bo trusts me, knowing I can protect him back there and he also trusts me catching the ball. We practice handoffs every day. We’ve had very few fumbles.”

Only four Canadians have won the league rushing title. They are Eskimo Normie Kwong, 1955-56, Orville Lee in 1988 with Ottawa, Cornish from 2012-14 and Messam.

“Historically coaches felt an American would be better at the running back position. Before Jon, Andrew Harris and I came along, there was really no one else before us. Sean Millington had a little stretch there but there was a pretty big gap between Sean and us.”

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 44 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.