It’s been a pretty good week for Cochrane football star Rob Cote.
Last Friday, the longest-serving Calgary Stampeder secured his contract with the Canadian Football League team for another season.
And on Monday, another Cote was scheduled to make his (or her) world debut in Calgary sometime very soon.
“His wife is expecting – and today is the due date,” Rob’s dad, Cam, said Monday morning. “He’s been very blessed, that’s for sure.”
Cote, a fullback, has been with the Stamps for the full length of his professional career. He signed in 2007 and has since played 178 games and won two Grey Cups, in 2008 and 2014, with the squad.
Last November, the Calgary team took it all the way to the CFL’s championship game once again, falling short of a ring after losing to the Ottawa Redblacks in a 39-33 overtime upset.
Stamps officials said they are excited the 30-year-old is bringing his talent and leadership back to the gridiron.
“Rob is one of the true leaders of our team,” Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said in a news release. “He had another strong season in 2016 and we’re counting on him to continue being an important contributor to our success.”
In addition to being steadfast on special teams, Cote has held the reins as the Stampeders’ captain for the last five years.
The continued support has given him the opportunity to not only help build a strong unit on the football field, but also maintain a stable home, along with a growing family – son, Miller, is almost three, and wife Natalie is just about ready to bring another bundle into the world.
“He knows he’s been very fortunate in his career,” said Cam. “This was our team; this is who he grew up watching … They really are a really high-class organization that you’re proud to be associated with.”
Cam, who coaches the provincial high school football champion Bow Valley Bobcats team, said it’s “kind of hard to believe” his son has gone such a long way professionalwly – while only travelling 30 kilometres from the town where he grew up.
“When Rob first got on with the Stampeders, we drove all the way to Regina to watch him in an exhibition game,” Cam recalled. “Everybody said, ‘Why would you do that?’ I said if that’s the only professional football game he ever plays …To think we’re at 11 years is unbelievable.”
