All he wanted was a chance.

And after nearly three weeks of training camp, Patrick Levels has proven he belongs.

The defensive back hailing from Dallas, Tex., has earned a spot with the Stamps following a competitive, intense and hard-fought audition process in a league he was utterly unfamiliar with less than one month ago.

“It’s definitely a big relief just to be done and to have seen how everything works,” offered the five-foot-11, 195-lb. defender before he received the good news from those in charge of constructing the Red and White’s roster. “I kind of got a feel for things and got through the whole process. I feel like I made a few mistakes here and there but that’s to be expected. Overall, I feel like I had a decent camp.”

Levels did not sign with Calgary until May 28, the first day of main training camp and not until rookie camp had already concluded. Yet despite the abbreviated timeframe to digest the nuances and intricacies of a brand-new playbook, Levels arrived at McMahon Stadium both physically and mentally prepared to handle the task at hand.

Levels during 2017 training camp (Photo by Angela Burger)

“I was training for the (NFL) Draft and for the combine, so I was in decent shape when I got the call,” Levels explained. “It was really just the transition of getting up (here) and just having to run and put pads back on. At first it seemed like a hard transition but as the days went by, things started making more sense by having a better understanding and just having knowledge of the game. It helped me perform better.”

The second-youngest player on the recently-announced roster next to only 2017 third-round draft choice Tunde Adeleke, Levels took full advantage of the opportunity to lean on members of the Stampeders’ veteran-laden secondary. In particular, Brandon Smith, Joshua Bell and Jamar Wall headlined his support system.

“Being able to talk to Smitty and Bell and Wall, that really helps a lot because they have a great knowledge of the defence and it just kind of helps put things in perspective from a player’s standpoint,” indicated Levels. “They’ve let me know what kind of things to expect and what I’m going to get.”

A graduate of his hometown’s Roosevelt High School, Levels then spent 2013-16 playing at Baylor. And although their paths did not cross while with the Bears, Levels and new teammate Bell share the same alma mater. They also now have lockers next to each other.

Joshua Bell and Patrick Levels (Photo by David Moll)

“Having Bell here definitely makes things a little bit easier just because we’re both Baylor alums and we have a good connection,” Levels said with a sigh of relief. “He understands where I’m coming from because we’re both from Dallas. But it’s a great feeling to have somebody that you know kind of understands where you come from and why you’re here.”

Only one day prior to cutdown day, little did he know that a lifelong goal was about to be accomplished.

“I mean, it’s always been a dream since I was a kid just to be a professional athlete so getting the opportunity to fulfill that and make that dream come true would definitely be a big deal for me,” expressed Levels, who made a team-high five tackles in the Stamps’ first pre-season game versus BC on June 6. “Just being able to show my little brother and sister that if you stick with it, good things will happen for you. To make my family proud would be a great thing for me.”