Bruce has words for ex-team

VANCOUVER - Receiver Arland Bruce III, who was traded from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to the B.C. midway into the 2011 Canadian Football League season, had disparaging remarks about his former team following B.C.'s 40-23 West Division Final victory over the Edmonton Eskimos.

"They tried to take me out of the game," he said. "That's how I felt. I've got my swagger back."

Bruce went from a key piece of the Tiger-Cats' offence to a spare part and subsequently was dealt to B.C. for a third-round pick this year and possibly next year, too, if he is still with the team. It has turned out to be a steal of a deal so far. Bruce has been a significant contributor and caught for passes for 82 yards in the win over the Eskimos.

"I told the coach (Wally Buono) when I came in I'm all in," Bruce said. "I'm not a big gambler, but I said I'm all in."

Bruce, who is thinking of changing his name to Runako Reth, which translates to Handsome King in an African language, referred to that in talking about the importance for him personally of the win over Edmonton.

"It's emotional for a king like me," he said. "When you have three sons, you'll understand what I'm talking about."

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.