June 1st has meant a lot of things over the years. It’s Morgan Freeman’s birthday. CNN went on the air in 1980, and James Madison asked the US Congress to declare war on Britain in 1812.
For Tarvarus McFadden – affectionately known to teammates at “T Time” – the date is much more personal; it was the day he was released by the Toronto Argonauts.
It came as a surprise to most. McFadden performed well, but the Argos had accumulated a bevy of defensive backs. They were enamoured with some of the new toys they had acquired, and the likeable veteran was released.
“It was extremely difficult,” defensive co-coordinator and defensive backs coach Will Fields told Argonauts.ca. “Especially since me and T Time have history, I coached him in the XFL as well. So, that was tough, especially not knowing what we had in the young guys.”
But the difficult decision was made and the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native was let go, only to be picked up two weeks later by Ottawa. That marriage lasted less than a month without McFadden ever donning the red and black in a game. He was released for a second time and was welcomed home by the Argos with open arms.
“It’s been a roller coaster, but it’s also been teaching moments and life lessons,” McFadden told Argonauts.ca. “In life we’re always going to face adversity. It’s what you do when adversity comes that really defines you as a man.”
It wasn’t just the mental aspect of the ordeal that the Florida State product had to deal with, there was also the physical side of returning to the field after missing several weeks of playing.
“The toughest thing as a DB, you really have to get a feel for timing and things like that,” he explained. “After I got cut, I had to get my feet back under me.”
It didn’t take long for him to find his feet, or his hands.
The debut of T Time 2.0 came on July 27 against Winnipeg at BMO Field. Early in the fourth quarter with the game tied 6-6, Zach Collaros threw toward Nik Demski, who was immediately hit by DaShaun Amos. The ball ricocheted into the air and Bomber receiver Kody Case dove to try and catch it. Instead, he tipped the ball into the air again and McFadden swooped in, snatched it, and sprinted, untouched, 41 yards to the end zone.
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McFadden felt at home again.
“Even when all that (being cut, the Ottawa experience) was going on I felt like I was supposed to be here in Toronto. When I got the phone call, I was just ecstatic, for real. Just to be able to come back and play in a city where they treat me very well; the fans, the coaches, my teammates. I just love the camaraderie that we’ve built here.”
The return to The 6ix has gone exceptionally well. McFadden has provided ability and stability, something that pleases Fields, who was thrilled when the duo was reunited.
“I was happy, elated, I asked for him to come back by the way,” Fields said with a smile and a chuckle. “We all did, we all wanted him back in the building. He’s good for the locker room and he’s a really good player. We think he should have about eight interceptions by now. He’s getting his hands on the ball a lot. He used to come down with those balls, so we’re hoping that comes back, but there’s no worries at all.”
There’s little doubt the interceptions will come. McFadden led the NCAA in picks with eight in his sophomore year at FSU and was named the top DB in the country. When he arrived in Toronto his reputation was as a ballhawk, but he’s also shown a propensity to unload huge hits on receivers.
The 6’2”, 205-pound cornerback was asked what was a better feeling, the pick or the big hit?
“That’s a great question,” he said, laughing before answering. “I feel like as I get older, of course we love picks, that’s what going to get us paid, but I like to impose my will on people whenever I can.”
He will have the chance to do both Friday night in Winnipeg.