MONTREAL – It’s hard not to be amazed by Tyrice Beverette’s contribution. The Alouettes linebacker needed time to obtain the recognition he deserves, but he humbly savors every moment.
At six feet and 203 pounds, Beverette possesses fascinating athleticism. That said, he doesn’t have an impressive frame like Darnell Sankey. That makes what he accomplishes week after week in a Montreal uniform even more spectacular.
Without ever sparing his body, Beverette rushes like a train towards his opponents. Seeing him impose himself like this, we begin to wonder if he is carved out of rock.
In 2024, he dominated the CFL with a total of 137 defensive plays and several made his opponents pay the price.
Many observers wished (this writer raises his hand) that he would be chosen as the finalist for MVP in the East, but he was pipped by Bo Levi Mitchell.
At least he inherited his first nomination to the CFL all-star team and it was only a formality with such performance.
“It’s definitely a great feeling, it’s good to be recognized for the work accomplished. Especially since I think I should have gotten this reward last season. I don’t base my happiness on that. I learned it at university when I was still young: I thought I deserved an honor and it didn’t happen. What matters are the victories and the championships,” reacted Beverette.
Since joining the Alouettes in 2022, Beverette has always prioritized the collective. But he is able to admit that this recognition warms his heart.
“It’s very nice. When you have a dream and a vision for your career, you don’t know what you’re going to achieve. You only control your hard work and sometimes you find yourself in the unknown. You have to listen to the veterans and use their advice. You have to keep working and the fact that your vision is coming to fruition is magnificent,” he testified without wanting to boast.
In 2018, Beverette was a late cut at Cincinnati Bengals training camp. Since then, he has proven that his physique, which is not the most imposing, in no way affects his reliability.
We especially wonder why the Hamilton Tiger-Cats gave up his services so quickly. A former coach had already told us that the Tiger-Cats managers doubted his intelligence on the field. A stupid mistake on their part which smiled on the Alouettes.
“I love Bev! He’s such a brilliant player. For a defensive lineman like me, it’s wonderful when a linebacker can shine. That means we’re doing a decent job in front of him, it’s our way of getting statistics. I’m really happy that he’s being recognized in this way. I think the same thing about Darnell Sankey and our other defensive big guns,” said Dylan Wynn.
Saturday, as part of the Eastern final, Beverette does not intend to give any gifts to the Toronto Argonauts who had success (2-1) against the Alouettes in 2024.
For him, Sankey and several defense partners, it will be a matter of honor to better slow down the Argos’ ground games.
“Every time we have given up too many yards rushing, it is because of errors that we can correct. We’re not too worried, we know the quality of our team,” commented Beverette, who can’t wait to bother quarterback Chad Kelly.
“I am extremely motivated, we know what we can accomplish. We’re going to try to make him uncomfortable. This year, we are at the other end of the spectrum, we no longer play the role of underdogs, but we maintain the same attitude of going on the hunt,” said number 26.
Mack absent, but Maas says he is confident
Surprising absence for this last Alouettes training as receiver Austin Mack had to undergo treatment.
“He will be ready, he will play. I am very confident that he will play,” said head coach Jason Maas, who hates talking about injuries.
The 2024 season was a trying one for Mack who suffered an injury upon his return to action.
“There is a reason why he is not present, I will stop there,” noted Maas who was keen to hide his game.
By avoiding this last training, Mack will therefore have two consecutive days of treatments before Saturday’s meeting.
