1 on 1 interview with Montreal Alouettes kicker, David Côté. Conducted Saturday at Tim Hortons Field ahead of Grey Cup Sunday.
Playing in Hamilton it’s always such a wind tunnel. So how do you how are you preparing coming into this game?
“We’ve kicked the whole week, on this field, so we’ve been able to see some different weather every day. So you just need to see how the wind blows a little bit during the game. And, of course, we know it’s gonna be a windy game probably, but at the end of the day, It’s gonna be the same way for both teams, so we’re just gonna fight through it and then give our best.”
Do you think the setup for the Grey Cup will be a little bit beneficial, like how they have it closed off here? Do you think that will cover the wind a little bit or more so just create a deceptive, where it feels less windy on the field, but then just slightly up [is still windy]?
“Yeah. That’s gonna be more deceptive then. It’s not high enough. Maybe if they had put those big stands over there, maybe it would help a little bit. But with the wind, with the practice this week, and right now, we can feel it’s pretty windy. So I don’t think those stands are gonna change anything for the win.”
I talked to Castillo a little bit before, during the Bombers walk-through and asked him his thoughts on you. And he spoke highly of you as a kicker, and I was wondering what your thoughts when you watch him kick the ball.
“He is one of the best in the league. He’s been there for a long time. He’s won it. He’s done some clutch kicks. I think it was a Grey Cup in Hamilton, he did a clutch kick at the end of the game even in overtime. He’s a great kicker, really consistent, and It’s gonna be a good fight. He’s one of the best in the league. I have great respect for him too. And every time I see him, we have a good chat. He gives me some tips, and then we just have a good time together every time we see each other.”
Coming in it’s your 1st great cup. How are you approaching the mental preparations?
“I’m just trying to stay in the moment. I know it’s big. Even everything outside football is big, but once you’re on the field, it’s a regular game like we’ve been playing for the past 10 years. So I just try to stay in the moment, go one kick at a time, and then focus on the task and not on the surroundings.”
Is there any favorite moment with your team leading up to this week that you’ve enjoyed?
“With me. The media day was quite fun. The bus ride over there, we had lunch with the guys, we just had good time together. The dinner is with all the guys too. We go eat every night together, talk about this season, talk about, everything. So that’s been good, a good time that I’ll remember for a long time.”
A lot of the team has kind of embraced sort of an underdog mentality because Montreal’s been basically criminally underrated the entire season. Have you embraced that as well?
“I’ve embraced that as well. I’m gonna say that. We just want to prove wrong, people that don’t believe in us. It’s been the same thing since the beginning of season, training camp, their power ranking we were 9th, by far not even close on many teams. So every day, we just want to prove them more wrong and that we’re a good team. We just want to prove to them that we’re a good football team at the end of the day.”
I think it’s because of all the things, Geno left, and the the owner, and all those things.
“The thing is we all believe in the group from day 1, and that’s the main reason why we’re here. We’re a good locker room and everything.”
I talked to a few players on special teams, and it’s apparent on the field too, it’s so important, everyone has total buy-in. Would you be able to kind of elaborate on the team’s approach to special teams?
“This is gonna be an important part of the game. We know all CFL games, the special teams are really important. As far as kicking game, returning game we’re going to need do some big plays to give a good field position to the offense. When we have field goals, we need to make them to get points. If we can have big returns to put our offense in great position it’s gonna be crucial. Because at the end of the day they are a great team. And then if we want to win that, we’re gonna need to play near perfect football. So special teams is gonna be a big part of it.”
Other Interviews ahead of the Grey Cup:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: K Sergio Castillo, DE Willie Jefferson, QB Dakota Prukop, RB Brady Oliveira
Montreal Alouettes: LB Tyrice Beverette, LB Reggie Stubblefield, DT Mustafa Johnson, K David Côté, DE Shawn Lemon, CB Kabion EntoReading Suggestions:
How Montreal Can Beat Winnipeg in the Grey Cup: Eight Keys to Victory
CFL Western Final Film Takeaways
CFL Eastern Final Film Takeaways
Other Articles:
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Reflecting on the CFL West Semi-Finals
Alouettes’ Jeshrun Antwi Interview Ahead of East Finals
East Semi-Finals Reflections
Alouettes’ Reggie Stubblefield Interview Ahead of East Semi-Finals
BC Lions’ Tibo Debaillie Ahead of CFL West Semi-Finals
Predicting the Rest of the CFL Season
CFL 2nd Period All-Star Team (Weeks 8-14)
CFL Midseason All-Star Team, Awards
First Period CFL and Divisional All-Stars
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