The cleats were hung up.

A new career was days away from starting.

And that’s when Ben D’Aguilar’s phone started ringing.

“I actually retired,” admitted D’Aguilar.

“It looked like the gym stuff was looking good and was going to pay the bills. But the timing took longer than expected and the Stamps came back around right before it was going to take off. The 13th of July was when it was all going to happen. Now I’m here playing sports and, I’ll tell you what, I missed it big time. Working out, you can’t scratch the itch the same way as running into giant dudes, playing on the field. And the camaraderie is great.”

Since being cut by the Stampeders on June 17, the 27-year old had created his own movement training program and he planned on working with horse riders through the Touched By Grace Farms.

But that doesn’t mean he’s been skipping out on his own training regimen.

“I have some great friends on the team and I was watching to see them do well,” said D’Aguilar. “Then one person goes down, and then another and another. I was like, ‘Maybe I should do a little extra to stay in shape, just in case.’ ”

Photo by Angela Burger

The 6-foot-2 defensive lineman has spent his entire CFL career with the Red and White, playing mostly on the special-teams units. During his time, he accumulated three tackles, a forced fumble, and 39 special-teams tackles.

With injuries all over the defensive line, the Stamps knew they needed to get more bodies in the front door and they were delighted to bring back an old face.

“We’ve got a heavy, heavy injury list right now and when we cut Ben, it’s because we thought we had great depth,” said head coach Dave Dickenson. “He’s been a good special-teams player with us throughout the years, so we’re happy to get him back.”

Although D’Aguilar is happy to be back on the field, he’s sorry this second chance comes on the heels of someone else’s dismay.

“You never want an opportunity based on someone else getting hurt, but as much as we sign up for the glory of the game, we sign up for the gloom, too,” explained D’Aguilar. “It just so happens that I get to be a benefactor right now.”

But such is football, and injuries shape teams and give players the opportunities to excel.

D’Aguilar knows this all too well as he benefitted in playing time because of injuries to others when he was with the McMaster University Marauders.

“It’s definitely a unique experience,” said the Hamilton, Ont., native. “I went through it once with the Marauders. In my third year, sitting on the bench, the team’s looking good, a bunch of guys go down and the rest is history. Started for the rest of that year and broke the sack record the next year. It would be serendipitous if it followed that path, but it’s unique.”

D’Aguilar could suit up as soon as Friday’s game in Montreal.

But no matter when he’s called on or what role he’s asked to fulfill, he just wants to get back on the field.

“Regardless of what it is,” said D’Aguilar, “if it’s just special teams or some d-line, I’m working hard with the coaches and I’ll be ready for anything.”