It was just five weeks ago that Mack Bannatyne was at home in Calgary watching the CFL draft when his phone rang. On the other end was Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich, telling the defensive back he’d been taken in the third round and he was now a Tiger-Cat.
That was exciting enough — getting drafted is an amazing moment — but then a couple people at the draft party started poking around online.
“They looked at the schedule and were like, ‘Holy cow, it’s Calgary Week One,’” he says.
Everyone in black and gold is looking forward to getting the season started on Saturday evening. None could possibly be as excited as the 23-year-old safety who grew up playing his minor football just five minutes from McMahon Stadium.
“Probably closer,” he says.
His entire family’s going to be there f