Grey Cup linebackers chasing the perfect hit — the one that takes your breath away

WINNIPEG — Darnell Sankey’s perfect football hit is breathtaking.

Literally.

“It’s when you hit somebody and feel and hear the breath escaping from their lungs,” said the Montreal Alouettes veteran middle linebacker. “Or when you look at them and they’re slow to get up and having trouble breathing or catching their breath.

“Yeah,” he continued with a chuckle. “I’ve had a few.”

Sankey has had plenty of practice delivering big hits in Canada. The six-foot, 242-pound American has cracked the 100-tackle plateau three times in his five CFL seasons — including 101 this year.

Sankey and the Alouettes chase their second Grey Cup title in three seasons Sunday when they face Saskatchewan at Princess Auto Stadium.

Lining up in the middle of Montreal’s defence, Sankey, 31, is in the heat of the action. He often has a split second to diagnose and react to what’s going on before him while remaining aware of his surroundings and ready to deliver a jarring hit that not only stops an offensive player but also energizes his team.

“I usually get (offensive players) down any way I can,” Sankey said. “But there’s definitely some hits where it’s like slow motion and he’s coming across the middle and you’re like, ‘Oh man.’

“I’m never scared of missing a hit; I’d rather take the shot than miss it. If the opportunity is there, I’m going to go for it.”

So will Tyrice Beverette, who lines up alongside Sankey as Montreal’s boundary linebacker. Beverette’s perfect hit also deals with leaving an opponent breathless while delivering a message.

“Just making your opponent not want to play,” said Beverette. “Making them think twice about coming into your area.

“You’re not trying to hurt anybody, but we want to instil fear. At the end of the day, the goal is to win the game, and if we can take anything from your game just with fear, then that’s what we instil.”

The six-foot-three, 203-pound Beverette hasn’t missed a regular-season game since joining the Alouettes in 2022. This year, he recorded 83 tackles (one for loss), seven on special teams, seven sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Last season, Beverette was the East Division’s top defensive player with 102 tackles, nine on special teams, five sacks, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.

The third member of Montreal’s linebacking corps is veteran Najee Murray, who had 77 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries this season.

Jameer Thurman anchors a solid Saskatchewan linebacking corps. The eight-year veteran middle linebacker enjoyed his second-most productive CFL campaign in 2025 with 86 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

The 30-year-old Chicago native’s eyes light up when an opponent comes across the middle of the field.

“When the quarterback throws that little drag route over the middle and they (receivers) don’t see me coming,” Thurman said with a devilish grin. “I can just launch and land full weight on the receiver. That’s probably the most ideal.”

Trouble is, those opportunities are becoming scarce as quarterbacks look more downfield or toward the sidelines.

“Many people just run out of bounds now,” Thurman said. “So you really have to try and bait quarterbacks into making those throws nowadays.

“I’m not disappointed, I’m actually kind of used to that at this point in my career. Just make the plays that come my way, continue to run to the ball, and good things will happen.”

Boundary linebacker A.J. Allen had a team-high 87 tackles (three for loss) for Saskatchewan, along with four special-teams tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. Antoine Brooks Jr. had 21 tackles, nine special-teams tackles, two sacks and two interceptions (one returned for a TD) in nine games.

Corey Mace, Saskatchewan’s head coach/defensive co-ordinator, said linebacking play is but one element of a championship-level defence. But he acknowledges the two Grey Cup teams are talented behind their respective defensive lines.

“We ask our linebackers to do a lot and linebackers in general,” said Mace. “You’ve got to be a real intelligent player to play the linebacker position.

“Just watching (Montreal’s) defence and the things they’re able to do, you sit back and you’re like, ‘Man, this is awesome.’ I feel the same way with our defence as well, just watching what they’re able to do, it’s incredible.”

A fact not lost upon Alouettes head coach Jason Maas, who’s in his second Grey Cup in his third season on Montreal’s sideline.

“When you look at defence, it’s team defence generally speaking,” he said. “But when you ask about the linebacker position, there’s a lot of stats that get filled up by linebackers on both defences.

“I know it’s with the help of everybody, but those guys do it and do it at a high level. The linebacking position is in good hands with both teams.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2025.