CFL: Where Are They Now? Aaron Wagner

Hey there, Cougar Nation! I am glad that I am able to share a few words and memories with all of you. Quinn has done such a great job on the site and I believe that the insider perspective that he shares in most of his posts, are distinctly unique and most likely very much appreciated among all cougar fans.

I know for myself, simply reading and reminiscing about some of the moments that have been written about really take me back.

Well a little about myself since, BYU. After the draft and attending Camp,-with the New York Jets- I was able to continue playing this great game and get paid to do it. Because I was drafted my Junior year in college in the CFL draft, to the Toronto Argonauts.

I was able to pursue my dream to play professional football, and I signed a four year deal up North. It has been a great experience. My family and I have been able to spend five months of the year in Toronto and then we were able to buy a home in Cedar Hills, Utah. So it has been really a great life for us.

Last season, my wife gave birth to our little girl Saydie Ann, and next week she turns 1 years old. She was born up here in Canada, so she is a dual citizen. After the season last year, we came home bought our home and spent a lot of time decorating and moving in, and getting comfortable.

I also spent a lot of time and effort, building my Real Estate business. I got licensed as a Realtor and really worked hard getting connected with top real estate Investors in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. I was able to not only learn the business and develop some great networks, but also expand my personal portfolio, by purchasing more rental properties in Provo and developmental property in Canada.

Last season my team had a very disappointing ending, as we were divisional champs and lost our playoff game that would have sent us to the Grey Cup Game -Canada’s Super Bowl. This season has been pretty tough as our team has really struggled losing more games than we have won.

Our coach has been fired and management has been juggling player personnel like musical chairs. This has been one of the toughest parts of playing Pro football. You spend time making good friends with teammates, just to show up the next day at work and have their lockers cleaned out. It’s a pretty “cut throat” business, very little to no loyalties. This is definitely a performance based business and even more a, “what have you done for me lately?” business.

There are the constant threats of, if you don’t get it done its “ding ding” “DOD” -Dinner on Delta. But aside from the pressures of the game it’s still football, and I love it. We will finish up our season at the end of the month and then it’s back to Utah, where I will continue building a business in this tough economy.

I am hoping that my business ventures will allow me to walk away from the game and be financially independent, before I can’t walk anymore altogether.

I have been so excited to watch BYU this season. Unfortunately I have not been able to see the games up here, since I don’t have satellite. But I have been able to listen on the Radio, and it has been great.

In the Pros all the guys still have a ton of pride for their college teams and often there is a lot of betting and trash talking about college football in the locker room. BYU has made it easy for me the last two years, and I’m able to rub in wins over UW to former QB Cody Pickett, and the win over UCLA, was great to rub in the face of former RB Tyler Ebell.

Anyway I have so many great memories at BYU. I remember clearly the transition from Coach Crowton to Mendenhall. I remember the secret meeting with AD Tom Holmoe, I remember a large number of players, very scared that Bronco would get the job and that they would have to do pursuits. I remember a lot of players wanting to transfer and I remember the off-season conditioning that year. It was crazy!

Everyday literally, at least one or two people would just quit the team and not just walk-ons, but scholarhip players also. There was definitely a weeding out process. As Bronco put it, “getting the right people on the bus, and wrong one ‘s off.”

One memory that will always stand out to me was a specific meeting with Coach Mendenhall after the coaching change. I knew about the offer to Whittingham and Cameron Jensen and myself, went into Broncos office to talk with him. I remember seeing Coach in a way that I had never seen him before.

He was not his confident, composed self. He looked nervous, almost scared and as we spoke it was confirmed that there was some uncertainty—as would be expected. I remember this moment clearly as it really changed the way I viewed Coach Mendenhall—and ultimately really changed my relationship with him.

After that meeting and through the remainder of my career Bronco was a support that I couldn’t find in anyone else. He felt like a father figure and really helped me through some tough personal times.

Before that meeting I thought Bronco was cold, unsympathetic or even a hard &%$# But he is as good as they come. I always thought he was a good coach, but I finally understood he is an even better man! This BYU program will win many more games for many more years because of his leadership!

I feel like this years team has huge potential. I haven’t been able to see them play and I won’t make bold predictions, but I will say this…In football, anyone can win on any given day! I believe that BYU is prepared so well, and are talented enough to win every game they play in.

One of the perks to my team not making the playoffs, is that I should be able to catch a few of the last BYU games, so I’m excited to see some history in the making. Well it was good to be able to share some thoughts and updates with everyone…See ya at the games, Cougar Fans!