Montreal Alouettes | Austin Mack and Cody Fajardo reunite

Despite the pouring rain and the grayness of an early fall, Austin Mack and Cody Fajardo couldn’t help but smile Wednesday after their first practice together.

Like Popa and Moman in the most recent episodes of The little lifeMack and Fajardo met up. Before rehearsals began, the two players threw the ball to each other inside a triangle completed by quarterback James Morgan.

Sunday, when they play the Edmonton Elks, will mark 280 days since their last game together. On Nov. 19, 2023, Mack caught six passes from Fajardo. Enough to accumulate over 100 yards and earn a cap with the word “champions” on it.

“It’s very selfish, but I’m happy to have him back,” Fajardo said of his teammate. In his first season in the Canadian Football League (CFL), Mack established himself as one of the league’s top receivers with 78 catches and 1,154 receiving yards.

In the weeks following the Grey Cup victory, the Atlanta Falcons offered Mack a contract. But after just one preseason game with the team, about 10 days ago, the receiver was released.

“I followed him and we stayed in touch throughout his training camp,” Fajardo continued. “But I knew if it didn’t go his way, he was going to be back.”

Between bitterness and happiness

Dressed in soaking wet sweatpants and a sweatshirt, Mack appeared before the media, admitting that he “just wanted to play football.” He said he “couldn’t[t] could not ask for better than to represent a city that has welcomed [s]a family and [lui] with open arms”.

However, even though he denies giving his all at the Falcons camp, he returns from Atlanta filled with a certain resentment. In his fourth attempt to secure a position in the NFL since 2020, he believes he was the victim of a certain “politics”.

Policy that teams in the Goodell circuit would offer more opportunities to players already part of the organization. According to the 26-year-old receiver, organizations have a little less patience with players from outside.

Nevertheless, this experience allowed him to learn. He was able to meet Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Drake London. “Elite players,” he said with a smile.

In some ways, Mack is in that category of player in the CFL. At least that’s what people around him believe. “He’s an extremely talented receiver,” Fajardo said.

His coach, Jason Maas, calls Mack a “great addition.”

Last week, CEO Danny Maciocia told The Press that before landing at Dorval airport, Mack wanted to evaluate all the options available to him in the NFL. Ultimately, his period of reflection was rather brief.

Maciocia confirmed Wednesday that it was Mack who made the first move, over the phone. A few days later, they met in Orlando.

“I knew my situation and I never hesitated to come back here. I have more stability here, and for my family, it would not have been the right thing to do to try to go play left and right. I thought of my family first,” explained Mack.

The Return of Fajardo

Fajardo is not used to having the spotlight stolen from him. However, in addition to Mack’s return to Montreal, Sunday’s duel at Percival-Molson Stadium will also mark the return of the Alouettes quarterback to the starting lineup.

Fajardo, who suffered a hamstring injury on July 11 against the Toronto Argonauts and has been out since, has missed the most action in his career. “It was tough,” said the Grey Cup MVP, although in hindsight, “it was the right thing to do.”

The Alouettes sit atop the CFL standings and had won their first five games before Fajardo’s mishap. The context was therefore more favorable for a long-term absence, allowing the 32-year-old athlete to fully heal.

Besides, since Davis Alexander has helped the Sparrows win their last four games, Fajardo didn’t feel “in a hurry to come back.”

It was time, however, for him to return to his post. “It’s hard to stay on the sidelines.”

During his convalescence, his wife Laura was his “secret weapon”. A physiotherapist by profession, M^me Fajardo has helped her husband through this ordeal even though she still lives in the United States. “I turn to her when I need her and I trust her. We are in constant communication.”

Fajardo also praised the work of the Alouettes’ medical team, without whom his recovery would probably have been different. But the American remains above all a family man.

That’s also why he was so happy to see Mack come home. “I saw him smile. I saw his beautiful little family again.”

And since Mack has almost become a brother, they will have no problem sharing the same glass, if there is champagne at the end of the season. “I’m just happy that we can [essayer de] to relive our moments of glory.”