Kackert admits there were times he doubted his ability to return to Argos

TORONTO – Chad Kackert is still adjusting to being a football player again.

The 28-year-old Californian made a triumphant return to the Toronto Argonauts lineup Friday night, rushing for a game-high 73 yards in their 27-20 road victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It was Kackert’s first game since suffering a horrific ankle in practice at Rogers Centre prior to the 2013 East Division final.

Kackert has been a model of dedication and perseverance in overcoming numerous injuries throughout his four-year CFL career. But this time, the five-foot-eight, 208-pound Kackert admitted he had serious doubts if he’d be able to successfully complete his comeback.

“It’s still soaking in,” Kackert said following Toronto’s practice Tuesday. “It’s not just football, it’s the fruition of all the hard work and all the belief everyone has had in me and having a positive result (to show) for it.

“I worked a lot on a lot of things and put a lot of emotion and effort in everything I was doing and just wasn’t seeing results. It was starting to wear on me and it was like, ‘OK, this is the final test,’ and we passed.”

Kackert became Toronto’s starting tailback during the 2012 season after then CFL rushing leader Cory Boyd was released. Kackert posted career highs in rushing yards (638), TDs (five) and games played (nine) as the Argos captured the 100th Grey Cup game with a 35-22 win over Calgary at Rogers Centre.

Kackert was named game MVP with 133 yards rushing and eight catches for 62 yards.

But Kackert’s ankle injury forced him to retire and become the club’s strength and conditioning coach before the 2014 season. Kackert ended his retirement Sept. 27 and went on the practice roster but was released about three weeks later after suffering a hamstring injury.

Kackert attended Toronto’s mini camp in Florida last May. He re-signed with Toronto on June 21 and started the season on the practice roster.

“It’s a great story,” Argos head coach Scott Milanovich said. “I think the thing that isn’t appreciated is . . . Chad Kackert isn’t making $10 million.

“It’s probably an overused cliche but he loves the game, he wants to be a part of it and doesn’t want to go out the way he was going out. To me it makes it even more special because he’s selling out and putting his body at risk for what’s in his heart, not what’s in his paycheque.”

Kackert said he didn’t complete his comeback alone.

“I think a lot of it had to do with everyone believing in me,” he said. “I had accepted that my career could be over because not many guys get opportunities like I’ve been given.

“It didn’t come easy . . . it was a long stretch and the hardest parts were the emotional and mental weardown of it. But I think with the belief I had from other people I was able to believe in myself a little bit through that.”

Unsure about his future, Kackert took steps in the off-season towards a career outside of football, purchasing a women’s fitness franchise with his sister. But it was with the understanding Kackert would give football one last shot.

“My goal ever since I got hurt was to play one more year,” he said.

Kackert’s setback allowed him to learn more about himself and gain a new appreciation of the game.

“Fotball is a great teacher and not just for the young kids who play it,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from the game and it’s about character.

“As long as I am able to focus on the game itself I think all those worries about what’s next will kind of answer themselves.”

On Friday night, Kackert emphatically showed he had the same explosiveness and big-play capability that made him a Grey Cup MVP. He hit holes quickly and with purpose and never shied away from contact.

“He played very aggressively,” Milanovich said. “That’s the thing you’re concerned about when you come off two fairly serious injuries, do you play tentative?

“He certainly didn’t do that.”

Kackert’s main concern prior to the game was playing at full speed.

“The last time I did, I pulled my hamstring so I’ve been real careful with running, more focusing on form and really not going full speed through practice and not until I needed to,” he said. “There’s a little bit of science behind that but more I wanted the opportunity and I didn’t want to ruin it practising like I did last year.”

It didn’t take Kackert long to erase any doubts he might’ve had.

“Once the ball was in my hands I think instincts kicked in,” he said. “After that first carry it was, ‘OK, I remember what I’m doing.’

“I haven’t had this much fun playing football since the Grey Cup . . . the passion for the game is definitely re-ignited which is nice.”