#56 Randy Chevrier, LS – June 6

After 13 years of doing training camps, it never gets old. The only thing that gets old is me.

This year, I feel better going into practices, which are always tough. Usually, a few days into camp, you start to feel stiff, sore and it takes a while to get going.

I know every year I say it, but this year has probably been the most drastic transition physically and I feel the best I’ve probably felt in my career.

I’m able to keep up with all the young guys out there and I feel faster.

Speaking of the young guys, they bring some wide-eyed enthusiasm. Charlie Power has brought me cake today for my birthday, so that’s something the young guys bring to the vets that I thought was pretty good.

The rookies also bring an ability for you as a veteran player to get better by teaching. You can’t underestimate that effect on a vet. When we get a chance to mentor and to help others, you get to see what they’re doing and it helps you improve your game.

Considering the season we had last year, you’d think that this year we would improve with so many returnees. With that being said, you start the year at zero and you still have to work hard.

I think the core guys that were here last year learned that you have to work hard for every single thing you’ve got.  That was the message Huff drove home to us last year, and I’m hoping he does that again because last year, it worked.

Some might ask after so many years in the league, a couple of Grey Cups, my NFL experience; why do I keep playing?  I just love playing football. I love competing.

I love every aspect of what I do for a living. I’ve been doing it for 13 years and I look forward to my job. I keep in shape for my job and I work hard at my job. I don’t think there is anything better that I could be doing.

I’m 37 today, and I think “I can still hang with the young guys.” As long as I have an opportunity to do so, I’m going to do it.

As I look back, one of the things I have learned through football, that I try to pass on to the kids I work with in the community, is that if I can make it, anyone can make it.

It doesn’t matter what they’re trying to do, you can succeed if you work hard at it, and don’t let people place limits on you.

I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have to represent the horse. You’re like a superhero when you walk into a room full of kids, and they need those types of role models.

I’ve looked up to those types of role models when I was a kid. I hope to provide a positive example and show them that there are people in the community that care.

My job allows me that great opportunity.