BO LEVI ENJOYING STEELTOWN

HAMILTON, ON – The change of scenery has been invigorating for veteran CFL quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.

The 33-year-old Texan participated in his first on-field workout Thursday at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats rookie camp at Ron Joyce Stadium. Mitchell played his first 10 CFL seasons with Calgary before signing a three-year deal with the Ticats, who had acquired his rights from the Stampeders.

`”It’s been amazing,” Mitchell said. “Honestly, I wouldn’t say it’s been a refresh because I love this game and always love being out here but there’s a different motivation when you have to learn something new.

“I think it’s tough when you go into the same camp (with the) same playbook year after year after year. The small things become a little less fun and I think that’s a bad thing … you’ve got to make all of the small things fun, make them easy, make them basic again and always go to it. You’ve got to have fun with it.”

Mitchell joined Calgary in 2012 and became its starter in 2014. He led the franchise to four Grey Cup berths (winning in 2014 and ’18) while capturing the CFL’s top player award in 2016 and ’18.

Hamilton (8-10) finished third in the East Division last season, Dane Evans’ first as the club’s No. 1 quarterback. Evans, who was the Ticats’ starter in the 2019 and ’21 Grey Cups, won six of his 14 regular-season starts and led the CFL in interceptions (16), fumbles (eight) and fumbles lost (seven).

Hamilton ended its season by losing 28-17 to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division semifinal. Evans was released during the off-season and signed with the B.C. Lions.

Hamilton will host the ’23 Grey Cup on Nov. 19 at Tim Hortons Field. The Ticats haven’t won a CFL title since 1999.

“Your goal is Grey Cup, no matter what,” Mitchell said. “You might feel a little bit more guilt or a shot to the pride when you’re not playing at your stadium in the Grey Cup on that day.

“But regardless, man, we’ve got to go out and win the first game, then try and win the second. We’ve got to try to get to the dance and once we get to the dance, we’ll worry about the Grey Cup.”

Hamilton will formally begin training camp Sunday when all veteran players report for their first workout. But Mitchell was enjoying his time Thursday with the rookies.

:These guys are excited, they’re fun to be around,” he said. “Young guys are obviously hungry to make the team but they’re also hungry to learn.

“Yeah, they’ve played football all of their entire lives and fundamentals will always get you there but it’s understanding the process, the way we do things and how the CFL game is played. That’s where you get to be that coach, that teacher and have fun doing it again.”

(Canadian Press)