Quite than going to the very best bidder, the running-back mentioned he was looking for respect and appreciation, which he claimed had been lacking with the Alouettes.
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It by no means was in regards to the cash, William Stanback acknowledged final week, since he requested and was granted his launch from the Alouettes.
The veteran running-back has discovered his new dwelling in B.C., and there was a couple of CFL suitor for the 29-year-old. And, whereas Stanback is anticipated to earn roughly $130,000 subsequent season — a lower from the $160,000-$170,000 he acquired from Montreal because the league’s highest-paid participant at his place — he might have signed for greater than the Lions are paying him, in response to a supply acquainted with the contract.
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Stanback confirmed that element throughout a phone interview with the Montreal Gazette on Wednesday, moments after he appeared on a video convention organized by B.C. And, quite than going to the very best bidder, Stanback mentioned he was merely looking for respect and appreciation — two elements he claimed had been lacking from his former group.
“I seen it because the season went on,” Stanback informed The Gazette. “I performed my function and didn’t trigger drama, however I knew what was occurring. I’m not silly.
“The Alouettes might have been extra loyal, contemplating how lengthy I used to be there. I used to be there for fairly a while and gained numerous recognition. I felt issues might have been dealt with a bit of bit in a different way. It’s a enterprise and you need to transfer ahead, however the narrative that I used to be too costly or received too wealthy, that’s 100 per cent false.”
With a $5.585-million wage cap final season, and with a lot of that cash allotted to defensive gamers who had been eligible to turn into free brokers, Als normal supervisor Danny Maciocia informed The Gazette final week Stanback couldn’t be match into the payroll, though no contract supply was ever proposed. Stanback, in the meantime, was left confused by the shortage of a proposal.
Highway to the Cup
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“I assume their minds had been already made up,” Stanback mentioned.
In 14 video games final season, Stanback gained 800 yards on 147 carries for a 5.4-yard common. One in all his two 100-yard video games got here in early September, at B.C., when he produced 102 yards on eight carries and scored as soon as. Stanback joined the Als in 2018 and twice gained 1,000 yards on the season, together with in 2021, when he was the CFL’s speeding chief and the East Division’s nominee as most excellent participant.
Of the 4 video games final season by which he didn’t gown, Stanback maintained he was wholesome sufficient to have performed in three, additional clouding the state of affairs. Certainly, his confidence took a success late within the season on account of this, in response to a supply. Nonetheless, he gained 68 yards on solely 9 carries within the Als’ Gray Cup victory towards Winnipeg, scoring a pivotal 32-yard landing on the finish of the primary quarter, with the Blue Bombers main 10-0.
“I needed to be handled proper and needed to be revered,” Stanback mentioned on the video convention. “I didn’t wish to be checked out as simply being tolerated. That was the sensation I had. I simply wish to be handled with respect — just like the vet that I’m.”
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Stanback missed the vast majority of 2022 after fracturing his ankle within the opening sport, at Calgary, however mentioned he has healed totally and the harm is behind him. Contemplating he performed final season, that time’s moot.
“The stigma and hypothesis, all the things round my title … that I’ve misplaced a step or fell off, it’s not true,” he mentioned. “Some individuals had been me like ‘he’s not the identical Stanback.’ It is a yr for me to show myself once more on this league.”
Stanback, 6 toes and 233 kilos, will now be reunited with numerous former teammates, together with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.
Stanback seemed like a participant who will enter the season with a chip on his shoulder, calling it a yr of redemption.
“I’ll do all the things I can to be the very best I may be,” he mentioned. “I’m popping out nearly with a vengeance. I wish to be that dude once more. I do know I’ve the facility and talent. Truthfully, I used to be held again final yr and will have finished much more.”
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