By Perry Lefko, Sportsnet.ca
A year ago he was a star player at Harvard with an uncertain future in the professional ranks. Now Clifton Dawson is playing in the National Football League as an undrafted free agent with the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
Not only that, he has seen some playing time this year on the offence as a running back.
On Oct. 7, one day before his 24th birthday, he had eight carries for 24 yards and one catch for seven yards.
The next stage in the incredible journey for the Canadian player from Scarborough, ON, is playing in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
As games go, this is huge. Both teams are undefeated. The Colts are 7-0, the Patriots 8-0.
Dawson talked about the game, the chance of his team going undefeated on the season and his role on special teams in an exclusive Q&A with Sportsnet.ca.
Q: How exciting is it going into a game such as the one on Sunday against New England?
A: It’s very exciting, especially given that this is my first year in the National Football League. Being on a team that has been this successful thus far is an incredible experience and to be facing one of the best teams in the league and playing in the national spotlight is obviously another great experience.
Q: What is the mood of the team?
A: We’re taking this week day-by-day, learning the game plan and preparing for what’s going to be a great team, our biggest challenge of the year.
Q: There’s a lot of hype in the media and a lot of hype among the fans. When you’re part of it, as you are, do you get caught up in it or do you have to separate it as just a game and one of many that you and your team will play this year?
A: Part of being a professional is being able to block that sort of stuff out and go about your week and go about the game as you would in any other game. Although this is a big game and a lot of people have an interest in it, you could probably take it as any other game, your next game. If you get caught up watching all the broadcasts and reading all the articles written about the game, you’ll drive yourself crazy. Personally I’m just trying to remain focused at practice and focus on getting the game plan down and studying my opponents so that come the kickoff, I’m in the best position to help our team win.
Q: Your team has been through far bigger than this and reached the highest pinnacle last year, but you’re new to it. Do you rely on others to help you on a week-to-week basis and even for a game like this, to stay level?
A: Yeah, absolutely. One of the strengths of our team is the leadership we have in our locker room, everyone from (quarterback) Peyton Manning on down. One of the things they’ve done this week, along with (head) coach (Tony) Dungy, is letting us know that while this is a big game, it’s our next game and we need to win it, but this isn’t going to be the end of our season. If we win it, we still have the following week to play and if we lose we still have to rebound and continue on with the season. Just remaining focused on this game and not letting it get too big has been the constant theme of the week.
Q: Is there a sense or desire on the team to be able to go through a season undefeated?
A: I feel confident speaking for the team: Right now we’re just focused on taking one game at a time. Going 16-0 we haven’t thought about that at all. I can’t even tell you who we play after the Patriots. Really it’s just about getting the W this week and then we’ll worry about the following week and not even think about the entire season.
Q: Have you had time during the season to sit back and really appreciate where you’ve come from and where you are right now, even going into the situation this weekend?
A: There’s been so much going on for me since the end of my senior year, getting ready for the (NFL) Draft and trying to finish out my Harvard career strong and obviously graduate, I haven’t had too much time to sit back and reflect. I definitely realize this is a wonderful, unique opportunity for me and I’m trying to appreciate it as much as I can.
Q: Joseph Addai is the No. 1 tailback on your team. Kenton Keith is No. 2. What’s it like being No. 3 on the depth chart?
A: We have three tailbacks on our roster and I’ve been fortunate enough to have some playing experience. I realize my role on the team is to help in any way I can and right now that’s to play on all special teams and contribute in that sense.
Q: Do you expect to see the field on offence on Sunday?
A: As of right now I’m preparing as if that’s an inevitability. I’m going to be playing on all the special teams, so I have a big role in that sense.
Q: Special teams is a function often overlooked because there’s the offence and the defence and then the special teams, unless there’s a feature player, such as the returner. What is your role on special teams and how have you been able to understand it?
A: My role is not so much the marquee position as the punt or kick returner or anything like that, but it’s been blocking for the kick returner, going down there and covering kicks and making tackles and stuff like that. Obviously it’s been a little bit of an adjustment coming from a college experience where I was one of the feature players on the team and didn’t have a big special teams role, but it’s incredibly humbling and yet surprisingly gratifying experience to contribute to a win via special teams.
