DANIELE FRANCESCHI – Argos Admrials Insider
MISSISSAUGA – Toronto Argonauts slotback/kick returner Trent Guy knows exactly how it feels to have your dream taken away from you.
It was in 2008 prior to his junior season at the University of Louisville that Guy spent one week in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to his back, a devastating incident that, admittedly, could have turned out much worse than it actually did.
“It was definitely a blessing. I spent only one week in the hospital. I sat out for about a week and a half of training camp and then I was right back to playing (football),” said Guy, who appeared in eight games during the 2008 season. “I probably should have sat out that year because I was well underweight, I wasn’t moving my best, I wasn’t playing my best football, but I was able to make it back and that was a blessing just to be able to continue to play.”
To put things into perspective, 19 bullets were fired in Guy’s direction on that summer evening in July 2008, and remarkably, only one hit him. Although he would have rather avoided the situation all together, Guy states that the incident was truly a blessing in disguise as it made him realize just how precious life can be.
“It definitely changed my perspective of knowing that life is very short and our time here (on earth) is a blessing,” commented Guy following a recent Argonauts’ practice. “God has blessed us to be here and He has blessed me with great abilities to be able to play football and I just thank God every day that I’m still alive and have the opportunity to play the game I love.”
Upon his return to the gridiron, Guy tallied 14 receptions for 216 yards and one touchdown while totaling 324 return yards and one major score. He earned All-Big Conference honours twice as a return specialist, collecting 1,980 yards and two touchdowns throughout his career as a member of the Cardinals’ football program.
Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Guy was exposed to gang violence from a very young age and recalls times when many of his friends began getting involved in gang activity.
“I grew up on the west side of Charlotte, North Carolina. The neighbourhood I grew up in wasn’t the best,” said Guy. “It has changed a lot since I’ve been there but when I grew up it wasn’t the best area.”
For Guy, the 26-year-old CFL sophomore notes that his mom, Elaine, deserves a lot of credit for keeping him on the “right path” as she always encouraged him to follow his dreams and be the best individual he could he possibly be.
“Definitely, my mom has been like my rock. She’s everything that you can ask for in a mother and a role model. She always made sacrifices for my brother, my sister, and I. She was that stronghold for our family and she kept me going on the right path,” stated Guy. She kept me involved in sports, off the streets, and away from the gang life that most of my friends were involved in.”
Following the conclusion of his collegiate football career, Guy was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice roster as an undrafted free agent. Although his stint in Carolina was rather brief, it was a period of time where Guy was living in a “fairytale” having the opportunity to develop his skills and hone his craft while playing for his hometown team.
“I made it out of that bad neighbourhood in Charlotte and I went to college and of course, I encountered some adversity there. To be able to come back home and play for my hometown team, that was just like a dream for me,” explained Guy. “It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NFL and to be able to play for your hometown team is special. It was like a fairytale. God gave me the opportunity to be there for the time that I was and I thank Him every day.”
Guy eventually made his way north of the border last off-season as the five-foot-nine-inch, 170-pound slotback signed with the Montreal Alouettes. In 13 regular season games, Guy tallied 1,112 total yards, boasting an impressive kick return average of 23.1 yards per return. Ironically, Guy’s only touchdowns in 2012 came while playing against his current team, the Toronto Argonauts, in late September as he found the end zone on a nine-yard pass from Anthony Calvillo and later tied a CFL record with a tremendous 129-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown.
“It was definitely a high point for me. I’ve always dreamed of scoring professional touchdowns and I did so with two in one game,” said Guy, who subsequently signed with the Argonauts on the second day of 2013 training camp. “That was a great moment for me but my work is not yet done. I am here in Toronto and I’m still working hard to be able to help contribute to this team.”
Things have truly come full circle for the Argos’ backup slotback/kick return specialist. Similar in stature to that of the Canadian Football League’s reigning Most Outstanding Player, Chad Owens, Guy understands how difficult it can be to have others doubt your abilities. However, rather than being discouraged by the criticism, Guy utilizes it as a means of motivation and affirms that his excellent mental toughness provides him with a competitive edge over his opposition.
“I’ve always been undersized my whole life but that doesn’t change my heart. I’ve been through so much and truthfully, I kind of like when people doubt me,” declared Guy. “I think that gives me the advantage and upper hand knowing how big my heart is and how hard I am going to come out when I play. To be play to learn from a guy like Chad, someone who was previously the No. 1 player in the league, it’s a great opportunity for me. It doesn’t matter how small you are, it’s about your heart.”
As the Argonauts prepare to host the Montreal Alouettes in the team’s regular season finale on Friday night at Rogers Centre, Guy, along with fellow Argonauts’ backups, will have the opportunity to see extended playing time.
While Guy acknowledges the fact that he we will be playing against his former squad, the Louisville product has his sights set on the bigger picture, particularly two weeks from this Sunday when the Double Blue will host the Eastern Final with a berth in the 101st Grey Cup up for grabs.
“Last year, that loss left a bitter taste in my mouth,” said Guy recalling the Argos’ Eastern Final victory over the Alouettes from a year ago. “I haven’t won a championship on a professional level yet and being apart of this is exciting. We’re going to prepare for the Eastern Final but at the same, we’re not going to look ahead at a potential berth in the Grey Cup. We have to live in the present and try to get past each game. Once the Grey Cup comes and if we are fortunate enough to be able to play in it, we’ll certainly be ready.”
Insider Extra – Searching For Stability
Having played with three different teams over the course of the past four years, it’s fair to say that Guy has spent a considerable amount of time away from home. While he admits that it can certainly be difficult to be away from family for a prolonged period of time, the Argos’ slotback/kick return specialist says he will go to any lengths necessary in order to continue playing the game that he loves.
“Since I’ve been playing football I don’t think I’ve been in a stable position as far as being in the same city. I did spend some time in Carolina but as far as being away from family, I traveled pretty far for college but not even close to as far as where I am right now,” explained Guy. “Being away from family is difficult but it’s for something that I love. It’s something that I have to deal with in this situation. I have to be able to be away from my family and it gets hard at times but I have to remain focused. My family is supportive of me and I’ve discovered that it takes a really mentally tough person to do this. When you love something this much, you’re willing to make those sacrifices.”