McLeod Bethel-Thompson was driving his vehicle on a Los Angeles freeway when The Press reached him by telephone on Friday afternoon. The new Montreal Alouettes quarterback did not indicate his origin, but he did specify his destination: the arms of his 3-year-old daughter.
Published at 5:00 a.m.
“I have two things in life: my daughter and Football,” revealed the 36-year-old American.
Tuesday night, the former Edmonton Elks player was traded for Cody Fajardo.
PHOTO PETER POWER, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Bo Levi Mitchell (19) and McLeod Bethel-Thompson after a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Elks general manager Ed Hervey got the news to Bethel-Thompson about 45 minutes before the deal was announced. Then his agent called him. Then, the members of his new team. He spoke in turn to general manager Danny Maciocia, head coach Jason Maas and offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo. “They were honest, they told me about their plan and why they acquired me. »
Bethel-Thompson finished the season second in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with 24 touchdown passes and fifth with 3,748 air yards. However, the Elks had no intention of offering him a new contract.
The organization's silence spoke volumes about their intentions. I knew they wanted to go in a new direction.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, on his former team
This new management is called Tre Ford, a 26-year-old Canadian quarterback. “It was my locker room, I was the leader of this team, but I also understand what it takes to develop a new leader and give the keys to the locker room to a younger quarterback. I didn't see it that way, but maybe they felt I had to leave so they could make the transition and allow Tre to take over the reins of the team. »
Bethel-Thompson will become a free agent on February 11. Until then, the Alouettes are the only team that can negotiate with him. The veteran says he has considered a few options for the upcoming season. Like returning to the United Football League (UFL), in the United States.
“But the transaction changed a lot of things, because Montreal has just taken the lead over all the other markets. »
All that remains is to discuss again with the organization to “see how we can arrange for [s]a daughter.”
All his life
Her daughter will be 4 years old next week. However, she already loves football. She has already attended her father's matches and practices.
“She loves football, you can see it in her eyes. I don’t know if she understands that it’s my job,” the San Francisco native says with a laugh. But Bethel-Thompson describes himself as a father first and a football player second. “My daughter is my whole life,” he adds.
However, among the disadvantages associated with his profession is the possibility of moving. And Bethel-Thompson has lived with instability since his professional football debut. Since 2011, he has played for 12 organizations across five different leagues. From San Jose to Edmonton, via Minnesota and Miami.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
McLeod Bethel-Thompson gives the ball to his Edmonton Elks teammate during a game against the Alouettes last summer.
“I got used to it by force of circumstances. It's never pleasant. I would always prefer to be in the same place. We know the environment, we have our bearings, we know where to eat, where to live. It’s definitely simpler. So, I am grateful to my family for letting me move around so much,” said the main person concerned.
Traveling has become increasingly difficult since the birth of her daughter. In four years, he will have played in Toronto, New Orleans, Edmonton and probably Montreal. However, he always found a way to get back on track. Like in Oilers country.
“I feel like I’m getting younger every year. I'm in great shape and I feel like I could play for a long time. But as soon as my daughter tells me that enough is enough, I will hang up my crampons. In the meantime, I'm going to play until my body allows me to. »
Like a leader
The situation in the Alouettes locker room is very similar to that of the Elks. The two teams exchanged their aging starting quarterback to give space to a promising young 26-year-old quarterback. In Montreal, less than a month ago, Davis Alexander was presented as the quarterback of the present and the future when he signed a three-year deal with the team.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander
Bethel-Thompson is convinced he has the qualities required to claim a starting position in this league. “I played well, my body felt good and I think I can still push my limits. I haven't played my best football yet. When I play well, I can be the best quarterback in the league,” he says.
He nevertheless understands that “Davis is the organization's right-hand man.” In this sense, he would agree to play the role of mentor. As long as the culture of this locker room allows him to flourish, one way or another.
My priority is to be part of a winning culture and a winning locker room. I want to help young players.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson
In Montreal, he joined former teammates like Nick Callendar, Darnell Sankey, Shawn Lemon and Justin Lawrence. With these veterans and the younger souls on the team, he wants to win again. As he did in 2017 and 2022 in Toronto. Whether as a starter or as a second.
“I will play any role so that we can win games. Hopefully I'll be able to sign my name at the bottom of the contract and, as soon as that's done, I become a member of the team. My personal ambition will no longer matter, I will work for the good of the team. No matter what it takes. »
