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It took Vernon Adams Jr. the better part of four Canadian Football League seasons to finally taste success, and if the Alouettes’ starting quarterback hasn’t quite reached immortal status yet, he at least is the flavour of the month — if not year — as this team continues to surprise.

But often, before a pro athlete can reach that perch, he must fail and fall. Adams experienced both.

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Reacquired by the Als in June 2018 — following his release by Hamilton and after Montreal, which had originally traded a first-round draft choice to British Columbia for his rights, traded him to Saskatchewan — Adams knew he was running out of race track.

“I understood this could be my last opportunity,” said the 26-year-old from Pasadena, Calif. “I knew, when I returned to Montreal, it was my last shot.”

Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

That proverbial last kick at the can appeared to unfold the night of July 26, 2018, against Edmonton. Adams started the game at Molson Stadium but, lurking in the shadows was Johnny Manziel, recently acquired from the Tiger-Cats in a blockbuster trade.