“When I saw I was not going in those picks at that time,” Vandal says of the fourth, the fifth, the sixth rounds, “I was questioning a little bit. Like one of the historical figures he admires – Winston Churchill – Vandal persevered, even in the darkest hour. Besides, he just kept hoping to see his name pop up next. If he was feeling glum about it, he hid it well, he thinks. Vandal was feeling good, he was feeling grateful and he was certain to see his name appear sometime soon, right? So he casually chatted with his guests as Commissioner Randy Ambrosie appeared on screen to announce the names of those drafted early.Īs the night wore on and the picks came in, Vandal’s name was not being seen on the draft tracker. He had no illusions about going higher, and admits he wasn’t paying so much attention to the proceedings as the first two televised rounds were playing out. The big offensive lineman was expecting to hear his name called somewhere in the middle rounds. “So it’s just a way for me to thank them. “It’s a small amount when you think of all the time and the energy that those people have put in to support me, and all those years,” he says. “I bought supper for everybody,” says the 25-year-old graduate of the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, admitting the bill came in at a gulp-worthy 700 dollars.

» Global Draft: REDBLACKS take DL Blessman Ta’ala first overallĪnthony Vandal waited the whole night to hear his name called in the 2023 CFL Draft as he looks to make the most of his opportunity with the Toronto Argonauts (Jean-Francois Massé/Université de Sherbrooke) » Mock Draft 2.0: Who did Marsh say was going first overall? » Surprising twists in opening round of the CFL Draft » Rider s dive into draft with Lake Korte-Moore at third overall » Elks take Carab ins’s LB Michael Brodrique with second pick » Top Dog: REDBLACKS take Dontae Bull first overall » Recap: CFL Draft answers lingering questions » Quoteboard: Reaction from the top-three draft picks » A team-by-team look at the 2023 CFL Draft The way the last man selected in the 2023 CFL Draft talked about his loved ones, you get the distinct impression the night would have been a beautiful thing no matter what, with the native of Sorel-Tracy, QC being surrounded by people he holds dear. For a while there, Anthony Vandal must have wondered just why he invited a large group of friends and family – about thirty of them, he figures – to his CFL Draft party at a friend’s restaurant in Sherbrooke, Quebec.Īs the night was proceeding, name after name after name hit the board.

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