Regina’s Stephen Smith is living his boyhood dream: playing in the Canadian Football League.
That dream, coming in double blue was not part of the initial aspiration for the former linebacker with the Regina Thunder. Smith grew up cheering for his home province, Saskatchewan Roughriders. In his final year of junior eligibility in 2024, he also practiced with the Green and White.
Following the season, the Toronto Argonauts placed Smith on the team's negotiation list, later signing him to a contract. He has made the most of his opportunity despite not being in Saskatchewan.
“When you get there, you start falling in love with the guys and the coaches, and that's your new family and your new team. Even though I grew up a Riders fan, as soon as I got out there, I'm 100 percent Argos and 100 percent in on the season, and my brothers beside me.”
The 23-year-old Smith has appeared in six games for the Argos and is being mentored by star linebacker Wynton McManis, one of the best in the game.
“It's unreal. He's a phenomenal person, a phenomenal player. He's a great coach and player, too. He'll take you aside and teach you lessons. In film all the time, he's watching. Even if I'm on a scout team, he's watching and he'll make it known if I made a good play or give me coaching tips when I mess up.”
The six-foot, 220-pound linebacker admits aspiring to McManis’ level.
“Every day he comes in and he's full of life, he's full of energy every day for every hour. It's unlike anything I've ever really seen, he's on another level.”
Last Friday, Smith, in front of more than two dozen friends and family, dressed for the first time as a visitor at Mosaic Stadium when the Argos took on the Roughriders. It was the first time that he had ever faced a former team.
“I've never played against people that I've played with. It was a little bit of a different mindset. But now I feel like with some more experience and more games and everything, I'm a little bit more ready for it.”
The Abernethy, Saskatchewan native’s journey to the CFL was anything but easy. A torn ACL in grade 11 disrupted his high school career, which was also cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in grade 12. While considering moving on from the sport, Smith was contacted by Regina Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay. Smith spent the next four seasons with the Thunder, two of which he was named the top defensive player in Canada.
Smith remains in contact with his former team and teammate Kenten Effa, who is attempting to follow in his footsteps. Effa is a linebacker with the Thunder who is also practicing with the Roughriders.
“I talk to him pretty much every day,” Smith said, “We were talking schemes not too long ago about trying to shut down some of the opponent's offence for the Thunder. I try to stay on top of it as much as I can and definitely check the scores.”
Smith believes the Regina Thunder can defend the Prairie Football Conference Championship he won with the team last year and advance to the Canadian Bowl.
“Absolutely. It's looking pretty open this year. They've only lost once to Saskatoon, so I think they got a really good shot and a solid group of players there.”
The rookie Argos linebacker has recorded one special teams tackle so far in his young CFL career. While he hopes to crack the starting defence someday, he is fully aware of what his job is.
“I'm trying to learn every day, soak in as much as possible, and keep progressing. That's not my role right now. My role is special teams, and I'm trying to excel in that area. If that opportunity comes, I would like to stay ready for that too.”
Stephen Smith and the Toronto Argonauts have been eliminated from postseason contention. The Argos close their regular season schedule with a Week 20 match-up in Calgary.
