THE CANADIAN PRESS
CALGARY — Calgary Stampeder running back Joffrey Reynolds is Mr. Reliable.
He’s done much of his work in the shadow of his receivers, who tend to get more glory in the passing league that is the CFL.
The 30-year-old from Tyler, Texas, is finally getting the recognition due to him. Reynolds became the franchise leader in rushing yards on Sept. 10 in Edmonton, surpassing the previous mark of 8,292 yards set by Kelvin Anderson over seven seasons in Calgary from 1996 to 2002.
Reynolds, also in his seventh season in the red and white, rushed for 145 yards against the Eskimos for his 30th career 100-yard game, which extends another club record.
He’s on target for a sixth season of 1,000 yards or more, which would be second to Anderson’s seven. At 55 career touchdowns, Reynolds is two away from moving into Calgary’s top five all-time.
With 8,417 yards, he’s among the CFL’s top-10 all-time rushers. Reynolds ascension to Calgary’s all-time leading rusher will be feted during halftime of Saturday night’s game against the B.C. Lions.
In the chest-thumping world of professional football, Reynolds has done all this in an unassuming manner.
"I never set out to be the all-time rushing leader for the Stamps, I really didn’t," Reynolds says. "I took every season and every game as it came and finally people started talking about all-time rushing leader.
"I think I’m blessed to be able to play this long and not have any major injuries and still feel like I’m productive and I haven’t lost a step."
The CFL may not be as run-oriented as the four-down National Football League, but over 8,000 yards in seven seasons is still an incredible amount of pounding on Reynolds’ five-foot-10, 223-pound frame.
"Joffrey has kind of, I’m not going to say surpassed expectations, but he has been durable for the long haul," says Stampeder long-snapper Randy Chevrier.
"I played with some of the great running backs. I played with Mike Pringle, I played with Emmitt Smith. I’ve seen those guys, the way they prepare and strive to be the best and Joffrey is just like those guys."
"I train with him in the off-season. I see all the little things he does. People just see what Joffrey does on the field when he has a big run or he slowly creeps up on a 100-yard game, but there’s so much that goes into that. I don’t know everything he does, but I see a lot of what he does and it’s a lot more than many people do."
Continuing yoga twice a week during the season is part of Reynolds’ regimen. He works hard at staying injury-free, which in turn allows him to steadily increase his big numbers for Calgary.
"He’s working harder than any other guy I’ve met before," quarterback Henry Burris said. "That’s why he’s been so durable and such a consistent guy. The most important fact for any running back is consistently being on the field each and every time for practice and for the game and to stay off the injury board, which is huge."
That’s not to say Reynolds is impervious to pain. While he’s avoided major injury, there’s a lot of wear and tear that he’s played through.
"I come into games thinking ‘I just hope I’m able to perform’ because there are minor injuries as far as muscle strains or your ankles hurt," he said. "You’re just hoping by the beginning of the game that adrenaline takes over. On the other side, I try to prepare myself in the off-season to withstand the beating that you get during the season."
Reynolds has quick feet and a change of pace with the ball that finds holes in opposing defences. While long passing plays get the attention in the CFL, his yards may be quiet, but no less valuable to Calgary.
"Every time I see Joffrey have a 100-yard game, which happens quite often, it always sneaks up on you," Chevrier observed. "All of a sudden you look up and he’s hit it. That’s just rushing and not taking into account the stuff he can do when we throw screens and stuff. He’s dangerous."
Reynolds is sharing the ball more this season with Jon Cornish. The team wants to keep Reynolds healthy and fresh for the post-season, which Calgary is assured of playing in come November. Reynolds has bought into a slightly reduced workload and hasn’t complained about his time with the ball, Burris said.
"Joffrey is just a quiet guy overall, especially when it comes the team concept of football," the quarterback explained. "Of course he wants the ball because he’s such a great playmaker with the ball in his hands. He does so many great things for his team, but you never hear him complaining.
"You look at great backs in this league, if they had to share time with somebody else, they’d be bitching and whining and moaning and you haven’t heard that from Joffrey."
As one of the leaders in Calgary’s locker-room, the running back’s attitude rubs off on his teammates, said Chevrier.
"He’s a humble guy. He’s not a me guy. I’m sure he’d love to run on every play," he said. "He’s always been a team guy and this year he’s sharing the load with Jon Cornish and it seems to be working for the team.
"When you have guy like Joffrey leading with that example, it’s easier for the other guys to absorb the roles that they’re given."
