The word brotherhood is an important one in the football world. Although they play hard, the CFL players are respectful of one another. Enemies on the field, friends off the field. Across the line of scrimmage introduces you to two players who, besides roughing each other up during games, have many things in common.
This week, one of our fave New Yorkers, Ernest Jackson, dishes on his ex-roomie and friend Greg Ellingson. Check out what the two star receivers had to say about each other.
- When and where did you first meet?
Jackson: I met Greg during my first year in Ottawa. He was my hotel roommate when I first got to Ottawa in 2015.
Ellingson: We met in camp, the first year we played together. The receivers’ meeting room is where I started interacting with him. He seemed like a pretty quiet guy at first, but that surely changed quickly.
- You must have had some good times together on and off the field. Can you talk about the best ones?
Jackson: There were plenty of good times. Winning the Grey Cup was definitely a great one. We all went out together to party and to celebrate our victory. That has to be one of the best moments. He was also my roommate, so we hung around a lot. He would whoop my butt at video games like FIFA.
Ellingson: We were roommates, so there were definitely lots of funny experiences, at our house, in the locker room and in the meeting room. We loved to play board games and he gets pretty mad when he doesn’t win… that was fun, yea. He’s pretty outspoken too, so it was entertaining to get under his skin a little bit when playing board games.
- What role does he naturally play on a team?
Jackson on Ellingson: Greg is quiet. He’ll say something when he needs to and he’ll always joke around and have fun with the guys. He loves the game just as much as I do, so when we’re out there on the field, we have fun.
Ellingson on Jackson: He’s the guy who’s really physical. A guy who can catch the ball and get the first down. He kind of sets the physicality for the team to pound the ball, up and down the field, and to make those big plays.
- What’s his signature move?
Jackson on Ellingson: His hair flip. I call him Johnny Bravo. He looks just like him. His hair kinda rolls back.
Ellingson on Jackson: Have you ever seen two rams hitting each other? That’s the EJ signature move. The “I’m putting my head down, closing my eyes, pounding forward and making you back up” move.
- He seems like a pretty tough guy, but does he have a soft spot?
Jackson on Ellingson: Yes. For ice cream. Bubble gum ice cream? More like bubble gut!
Ellingson on Jackson: Maybe his car. He really cares a lot about his car. He’s had it for a while and even though it had problems, he stuck with it. It might be battered down, but he’s still there for it.
- What’s his nickname?
Jackson on Ellingson: In Ottawa, they call him and Brad the Buds since they’re always together. Bud 1 and bud 2. I used to call them Beavis and Butthead.
Ellingson on Jackson: Ernest has a lot of nicknames. I guess Action Jackson is probably his favourite one, but I called him Big Head, No Neck or All shoulders and traps. He has many great nicknames, but I won’t repeat all the bad ones.
- What’s his favourite expression?
Ellingson on Jackson: I can’t think of anything he says, but he does make this sound with his tongue and his bottom lip. It’s really creepy and weird. He’ll just stare at you and make that clicking sound (tries to imitate sound).
- Who would win at a Dad jokes battle?
Jackson: That’d be a tight battle. It’d be right down to the wire. I got good old school jokes like: *Unfortunately, the joke Ernest told could not be published here.
Ellingson: I probably know more dad jokes than him, but he’s gonna have to get on it because I think he’s expecting. He’ll have to know jokes like: “What does one snowman say to another snowman? Do you smell carrots.” That’s probably the worst one I could think of.
- Who trash talks the most?
Jackson: Neither of us is a trash talker. I usually let my actions speak. Although, in practice, I like to talk trash just to get things going.
Ellingson: I don’t trash talk much and I don’t remember many times when he was yapping at people on the field, but if I had to choose, I would say him more than me.
- Who has the biggest appetite?
Jackson: Probably me. They call me the garbage disposal. I can take it down. You don’t want that? Then bring it over real quick.
Ellingson: Definitely him. He eats and snacks all day. He’ll have salad first, like a full-size one, not a side salad, then he’ll have his meal and then right after he’ll go back to the apartment, grab a Beaver Tail or munchies on the way, and watch TV with gummies or chips.
- If he wasn’t a football player, what would he be?
Jackson on Ellingson: A model. I always call him the Calvin Klein model. He’s a little pretty boy when he’s off the field. I lived with the guy, I know that he has to get his hair right before he goes out. That’s why I call him Johnny Bravo!
Ellingson on Jackson: I guess it would be what he does during the off-season. He works with children who have special development needs. I can see him having an impact on them because he’s funny and he’s a character, but he can also put his foot down when he needs to. I can see kids liking and respecting him.
- What do you admire the most about him?
Jackson on Ellingson: He gets things done regardless of the situation. He’s always positive, no matter what. That’s one thing I admire about Greg.
Ellingson on Jackson: He’s a tough, hard-nose player. He makes plays when he needs to and he’s comfortable in his own skin. He’s fun to be around and goofy. He’s a great guy and one heck of a football player.
