Trois-Rivières, May 24, 2022 – For quarterback Ben Holmes, there was nothing more natural than playing football growing up, as the 27-year-old grew up in the middle of Bills Mafia territory in Orchard Park, NY.His dad had Bills season tickets and he spent many Sunday afternoons cheering on the only NFL team to play in the state of New York.“I went to a lot of Bills games growing up. Sabres games as well. I went to tailgates in 20 degree weather (Fahrenheit, which is -6 degrees Celsius). I learned to hate the Jets and the Dolphins, and to root for whoever is playing against the Patriots», said Holmes laughing.“I started playing football in little league, but I only started playing quarterback in my senior year of high school. Ma favourite player has always been Jim Kelly, as my mom used to cut his hair,” he added.The proximity to the Canadian border also allowed Holmes to watch the CFL growing up. Now he shares a meeting room with Canadian Football legends such as Khari Jones and Anthony Calvillo, and the field with Vernon Adams Jr. and Trevor Harris.If the young quarterback is feeling more and more comfortable on the field, his mind wasn’t 100% focused on football when he arrived in La Belle Province, as it happened at the same time as the senseless shooting that took place in Buffalo.“I was travelling that day and when I landed, my phone had blown up. I didn’t have any words. I felt very hurt for all the families involved. There is no place for it in our world. We saw why people love Buffalo so much, as everybody rallies in that city. We saw the Bills players go down and show their support. It goes to show how close Buffalo is a tight knit community.»He said it… “Guys didn’t have the same intensity today the day after the intra-squad game but it’s normal under the circumstances. I liked the way we finished the practice, it shows that the guys never give up.”– Philippe Gagnon, offensive linemanRapid fire…Dante Absher caught a Vernon Adams Jr. touchdown pass at the very beginning of the team’s red zone practice situation… Mike Jones prevented Eugene Lewis from imitating Absher a few moments later… In the team’s locker room on Tuesday morning, players were still raving about how invested the crowd was during Monday’s intra-squad game… Tyrell Richard’s parents are spending a few days in Trois-Rivières. His mother is taking advantage of the situation to dust off her French… Tavien Feaster arrived in Trois-Rivières and took part in his first practice with his teammates on Tuesday morning.
