If you’re wondering when quarterback Darryl Leason will be taking the field for the Dinosaurs football team this fall, you can stop wondering… now.
He won’t be out there at all.
After three years of pitching the pigskin for the Dinos, Leason decided to quit the team, less than a week before this year’s season opener. Although he was vague about what brought about the decision, he admitted that personal differences between himself and coach Tony Fasano were at the core.
"There are a number of reasons, all personal reasons between me and Fasano," he said. "I was always taught that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all, so I won’t say anything at all."
According to Fasano, the decision came during training camp when it was announced that Lincoln Blumell would replace Leason as the Dinos’ starting quarterback.
"I made the announcement of the starting qb, and he decided not to come to practice," explained Fasano.
Along with Darryl Leason, the Dinos will lose his brother, Michael, a second-year receiver who was one of Darryl’s favourite targets last season.
"My brother left the same day as me, pretty much," said Darryl. "He didn’t want to stay on the team if I left."
Leason has two years of eligibility left in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union, and, even though he has already graduated, he has every intention of playing out those two years. It hasn’t taken long for word to get out that a talented pivot is available.
"It’s just a matter of where," noted Leason. "I’ve had contact with other coaches already."
Leason admits that it was difficult to leave the team because of the camaraderie that has developed over three years.
"It’s tough ’cause I’ve got some friends on the team," he confessed. "But when I look at why I made the decision, I’ve got no regrets. I want to wish them all the best of luck."
Fasano just wants to move on from the Leason era.
"You have to focus on the players you have," he said. "What’s important is that we understand he’s not here and move on."