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Professional blood runs strong 

By Daniel Rodrigues

For Cedric Ferdinand and Devon Mitchell Jr., sharing the backfield for the Stingers' is something to be extremely proud of. Sharing a common history of professional excellence something more.

Runningback Cedric Ferdinand and fullback Devon Mitchell Jr. are both the offspring of pro football players. Together, their shared history brings a new dimension to this year's team.

Cedric's father, the late-Denny Ferdinand, played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League as both a runningback and kick returner, amassing more than 700 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in 1983, a season that saw him win the eastern division's most outstanding Canadian.

Devon Mitchell Sr. was a standout defensive back at the University of Iowa for four seasons, preceding his joining of the Detroit Lions as a free safety in 1986. He played two seasons, finishing his career with eight interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

Between Ferdinand and Mitchell Jr., the Stingers’ backfield has been making things happen, leading the team to a 5-3 win-loss record and second place in the Quebec conference.

The two profess to have a strong relationship both on and off the field, and attribute their success to the fact that they are always trying to out do one another.

Ferdinand, a 24-year-old Human Relations major enjoying his fourth season as a member of the Stingers’ football team, was a baby throughout most of his father’s professional career. "I don’t remember much about the games,” he explains. “Football was boring to me at a young age. What I do remember is running around the field with the other kids after the game.”

Cedric’s attitude towards football would soon change, but his passion for running always remained. Of his own accord, he began playing football in his dad’s former position of runningback.

“My dad never told me I had to play football,” says Cedric. “It was something I just wanted to do. However he did encourage sport because he thought it was a good way to keep me out of trouble.”

Devon Mitchell Jr., who comes to Concordia from Clarkston, Mich., as a 24-year-old Human Environment major, brings with him collegiate football experience having spent two years at Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich.

Mitchell Jr. says his father, who follows the Stingers from his home in Brooklyn, N.Y., was not involved in his career until he became more serious about the sport. Now the two talk on a weekly basis and analyze film from each game.

One difference – Mitchell Jr. decided to become a runningback even though his father made a living on the defensive side of the ball.

“My dad will never understand why I choose to get hit,” says Mitchell Jr. “I’ve always just loved touching the ball and making things happen.”