Professional sports comes with challenges, disappointments and rewards, much like life for the rest of us – those of us who didn’t have the skillset or the drive to succeed in the world of pro sports.

But it’s even more mentally taxing when you have to move to a different country to pursue that dream. That’s exactly what former Saskatchewan Roughrider DT Marcus “Chunky” Adams went through – aside from being a star player – in pursuit of his dream to be a pro football champion.

I had a chance to talk with the Eastern Kentucky product about his career as a Roughrider, and about life after football.

Lance Keiser: Good afternoon, Marcus, and thank you for participating in this interview. Having played your football at Eastern Kentucky University, what was the biggest adjustment for you to make coming to the CFL?

Marcus Adams: The biggest adjustment for me was the play clock. Had to be in better shape because 20 seconds is not long at all. The yard off the ball makes you change your footwork around completely.

LK: Saskatchewan is known for its fanbase. Can you describe what it’s like compared to other CFL stadiums?

MA: There is no comparison to other stadiums. The closest stadium to me with crowd noise would be Winnipeg, they have some passionate fans.

LK: What is your fondest memory of playing in the CFL?

MA: My fondest memory is our 2009 and 2010 defences. We were so close and had fun playing with and for each other.

LK: The 2009 Rider team did appear to be incredibly close, who were you closest with?

MA: Yeah, that 2009 team was my favorite team that I ever played on. I was close to a lot of guys on the team. I would say my closest friends on that team were Wayne Smith, Belton Johnson, and Keith Shologan.

LK: In the 2009 season you started all 18 regular season games, and the Riders won the west that year. What was the wear and tear like on your body?

MA: My body felt great cause of the defence I was in. I didn’t have to hold double teams for linebackers to be free. We didn’t wear pads in practice all season long. Those two things helped me the most.

LK: Ken Miller was described as being a player’s coach. What was it like playing for him? Did he teach you anything in particular?

MA: Coach Miller was more of a coach on the offensive side, but he was a good coach and knew the game of football.

LK: Looking back, do you have any regrets in regards to your career?

MA: I think the only regret I have is that I didn’t play in Coach Etcheverry’s defense my whole career. That defence fit my style of play better.

LK: At the end of the 2007 Grey Cup in Toronto, as the clock ticked to zero, what was your first thought?

MA: My first thought was, where are my family and friends at. They sacrificed a lot for me to be in that position so I wanted to celebrate with them first.

LK: The nickname Chunky: where did you get it, and how did you come to embrace it?

MA: I got the name Chunky during training camp in my rookie year from my roommate Andre Brown. He saw me chasing Rocky Butler on the field and said “Man, your chunky ass is fast.” I liked it because of the way he said it with his Mississippi accent.

LK: Are there any changes you would like to see in the CFL?

MA: I think the CFL should start to help out the former players with life after football. It is tough for some players to adjust from playing a sport their whole lives, and then one day it is over. It’s not as easy as people think it is. It really affects your family at home. That’s why a lot of players’ families get split up or divorce, because the player is depressed and just wants to play football.

LK: What about during football, who was your rock and your inspiration during trying times, free agency, Grey Cup losses?

MA: I would say my rock was my mom and my kids. My mom always has been my best friend and just remembering her struggle of raising three boys in the ghetto, that gave me strength. And my kids helped me realize that I can’t be selfish, I have to set a good example for them.

LK: How did you decide to start coaching in CIS ?

MA: I always want to be involved with football in any way possible. So when Coach Etch asked me to come to Ottawa and coach, I was like, hell yeah. I love being around the sport so I’m willing to go anywhere just to be around football and help the young guys out.

LK: Final question. Who will the 2015 Grey Cup champs be?

MA: I think if Calgary stays healthy and keeps their core group together they will probably repeat – but who knows!

A football life is a struggle and a challenge throughout a player’s career. However when you find your passion, you will do anything to hold on to it. Thanks to Marcus Adams for sharing insight into what it’s like.

“MarcusAdamsRiders” by Canada Hky – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.