Toronto Argonauts burst onto the CFL scene in 2017 after being released by the Bills prior to the star of last season. Wilder took control of the starting running back position midway through the season for the Toronto Argonauts and never looked back. Now, the 24-year-old is one win away of being a Grey Cup champion in his first CFL season.
After a monstrous second half season, the six-foot-three, 232-pound Skeston, Missouri native finished fifth in the CFL with 872 yards on 122 carriers with five touchdowns despite only playing 10 games. Wilder had the highest yards per carry at 7.1, and was named the Most Outstanding Rookie at the CFL Awards on Thursday night.
Ahead of the Grey Cup on Sunday, Wilder was spotted warming up shirtless on the sidelines. While some players relish the oppourtunity to go out on the field prior to the game, Wilder raised the bar by running around in the -3 weather in Ottawa. Sporting an Argos toque and a pair of headphones, Wilder wasn’t going to let the cool November weather halt him from his pre-game warm-up.
Even the camermaman is wearing shorts! Perhaps Wilder was getting acclimated to the weather elements, or just felt the need to get his blood going by running laps to keep his body warm in the blistering cold.
Wilder’s father, James Sr, is the all-time leading rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and enjoyed a ten-year career down south.
James Sr. will be in his dad’s corner as he watches his son seek a professional football championship, something that James Sr. failed to reach over his time with the Bucs, Redskins and Lions.
It’ll be interesting to see how much the weather plays a factor in the 105th Grey Cup, and if there’s anyone that is prepared for the windchilled cold and snow, it’s Wilder Jr.
(h/t CFL)
