From Stingers to Eskimos
Stinger alumnus Burke Dales recently joined the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent after seven years with the Calgary Stampeders. Both teams are a part of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
“It’s a thrill to join such a successful and storied franchise. I grew up a [Hamilton] Tiger Cats fan, when there was a healthy rivalry with Edmonton, so going to play with the Eskimos is very exciting to me,” says Dales.
The punter is a three-time all-star, most recently named to both the CFL All-Star team as well as the CFL West Division All-Star team in 2011. Dales joined the Stamps as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and helped the team win the 2008 Grey Cup.
Of his days with the Stingers, Dales says it was a pretty wild ride. After blowing out his shoulder and having reconstructive surgery, the surgeon told him his contact days were over.
“Life throws you a curve ball and you just have to deal with it,” says Dales. His coach, Gerry McGrath, himself a kicker in the CFL and still Concordia’s coach today, worked with Dales that summer and showed him how to punt.
“Coach McGrath taught me everything I know,” says Dales, who came back a punter and kickoff specialist. That final year was his best with Stingers. He was named All-Canadian Punter for 2002 and was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I’m really proud to be an alumnus of Concordia,” Dales says. He earned a bachelor’s in political science and in sociology in 2003. The 35-year-old is a native of Collingwood, Ont.
Related links:
• CFL profile of Burke Dales
• Edmonton Eskimos
• Concordia Stingers