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You need to see Tre Ford.
Critically, wherever you look on this city, you need to see his smiling mug.
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On TV, everywhere in the Edmonton Elks’ web site and social media platforms, their group shops and facades at Commonwealth Stadium, billboards, maybe a mural. Make him a bobblehead. Put his title and quantity on jerseys, hoodies, jackets, hats, socks, sweaters and mini helmets. Put him on foam fingers, flags, pennants, key chains and children’ backpacks.
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He’s the way forward for a franchise that has to shed its most up-to-date embarrassments as quickly as potential. He’s a dynamic younger Canadian quarterback. Good-looking and well-spoken, he ought to be the face of the Elks for so long as he’s behind centre and there are swaths of seats to be offered at Commonwealth.
Although it appears the Elks received’t be anointing him simply but, they do need to use him in all of their core advertising and marketing efforts going ahead, in keeping with interim president Rick LeLacheur.
“We’re simply beginning to plan for subsequent 12 months, however actually it could be my perception that we use him all we are able to,” stated LeLacheur, who was president of the B.C. Lions earlier than rejoining the double-E this summer season. “We used Nathan (Rourke) in Vancouver. It’s very distinctive to haven’t solely a quarterback like that, however being Canadian actually provides to the worth. I’d be hopeful that we use him in the whole lot and he spends no less than a part of the low season in Edmonton to be out and about.”
They may need him to fulfill with current and potential sponsors and followers, in addition to minor soccer teams. Ford’s agent, Fred Weinrauch, thinks his consumer will deal with no matter off-field calls for the Elks make in addition to he conducts his on-field duties, which is to say with aplomb.
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Ford is a double menace who has thrown for 990 yards, six touchdowns and three picks this 12 months, and run for 401 yards and two TDs. Win or lose, the 25-year-old is a standup man who has delivered trustworthy post-game insights to the media.
“I simply take a look at how he handles himself in a few of the interviews, and the very fact is he was the poster boy at Waterloo,” stated Weinrauch. “Sure, it’s a special degree from U Sports activities to the professionals, however he’s had quite a lot of that advertising and marketing, entrance cowl, at Waterloo. I feel he can deal with that, no downside.
“I simply haven’t had any conversations with them by way of what their plans are. I’m such as you, I’m assuming that after they construct their advertising and marketing marketing campaign he’ll be a part of it, proper? I don’t need to sit right here and say entrance and centre as a result of there are quite a lot of good gamers on that group.”
The Elks have lots on their plate proper now. They should maintain their faint playoff hopes on life assist lengthy sufficient to promote tickets for 2 remaining residence video games, rebuild their season ticket base for subsequent season and discover a new president to take over for LeLacheur, who has been filling in admirably since Victor Cui departed.
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Ford has already helped them by elevating the extent of quarterback play in his 5 video games on the helm. They’re 3-2 throughout that span, and sure, they’ve overwhelmed solely bottom-feeders, whereas the remainder of their schedule presents groups with a mixed report of 40-20, so the problem is apparent.
However so is the child’s listing of bona fides. He’s an important athlete and a fiery competitor. And did we point out he’s Canadian? The comparisons to Rourke, now a member of the Nationwide Soccer League’s Jacksonville Jaguars, are being made — and rightly so.
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“You possibly can see a vibrant future for him, proper, he’s so electrical and thrilling,” stated Weinrauch. “It’s good that they’re making these comparisons. I feel Tre will likely be Tre. Getting followers lifted out of their seats and getting followers into these seats, that’s the place I can see the comparability no less than proper now, this early in his profession.”
The Elks, Ford and Weinrauch are centered on the right here and now. Play properly, beat Saskatchewan. Play properly once more, beat B.C., and so forth.
“As soon as the season is over, I’ll sit down with Tre to debate what he needs to do, what his ideas are,” stated Weinrauch.
It’s a logical prioritization. He’s 4-2 as a starter, together with a win in Hamilton final season. That’s a fairly small pattern dimension.
However the child has the products and when you’re a possible sponsor, associate or fan, you would possibly need to get in on the bottom flooring.
dbarnes@postmediacom
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