The second time was indeed the charm for Jason Gavadza and the Toronto Argonauts.
Prior to the start of the season, the Argos made an inquiry to Gavadza about joining the CFL club. But after being released in the off-season by the B.C. Lions, the six-foot-three, 249-pound tight end-fullback opted against continuing his pro football career, instead deciding to concentrate full-time on a budding real estate career as well as building a new life with his wife, Bernadette.
That's hardly a surprise considering that between 2000 and 2005, Gavadza had bounced between 11 teams in three different leagues in three different countries. But this week, with Canadian fullback Jeff Johnson on crutches with a heel injury, the Argos came calling to Gavadza, only this time the 30-year-old Toronto native was only too quick to accept.
``I started my business up and married my wife (in February 2005) and we wanted to start looking forward to a family,'' Gavadza said. ``You can't play football forever so I just made a tough decision.
``Now, things are going well and I get a call. Talk about excitement.''
Especially considering Gavadza is just one win away from returning to the Grey Cup. He appeared in the 2004 final with the B.C. Lions, who ironically lost 27-19 to the Argos in Ottawa. This year's game will be held Nov. 19 in Winnipeg.
``The little kid in me is screaming out in my throat about it,'' he said. ``My in-laws are from Saskatchewan, they're just three hours from Winnipeg and they're excited.
``My father-in-law has three daughters and I'm his son. He thought it was April Fool's Day and I said, `No, I hope you've got a day free because you might be seeing me but watch me Sunday.' ''
Johnson was hurt in Toronto's thrilling 31-27 East Division semifinal win over Winnipeg last weekend and isn't expected to play in the conference final Sunday against the Montreal Alouettes (CBC, 1 p.m. ET).
But Gavadza, who played collegiately as a tight end at Kent State, has fond memories about the last time he joined a team one game into the playoffs. In 2000, he signed with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens after the opening round of the NFL post-season and the club went on to capture the Super Bowl.
``It's deja vu from 2000 with Baltimore when they called me at the same time of the year,'' Gavadza said. ``My wife is excited and happy for me.
``She had tears in her eyes (when Argos called) and I didn't. I was, `Where are my cleats? Let me call my trainer because I need a three-day workout and a three-week workout. Let's get going here.' ''
The Argos signed Gavadza and offensive lineman John Feugill on Tuesday because of injuries to Johnson and tackle Jerome Davis (ribs). Ironically, Feugill was Toronto's starting right tackle in 2003-04 before being supplanted by Davis.
Head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons said Toronto was fortunate to land a player like Gavadza this late in the season, however he has modest expectations for the newest Argo. Gavadza would back up Ricky Williams at fullback and play some tight end or receiver offensively while also taking part on special teams.
``We want him to just contribute what he can, to play within himself,'' Clemons said. ``We didn't bring him in to transform our team.
``We feel we've gotten a great player and person to augment what is already a very good football team. We're going to ask him to do a few things offensively and on special teams. If those things go well, he'll get more opportunities.''
And that's fine with Gavadza.
``What they want me to do, tight end and fullback plays, I'm ready,'' he said. ``That's what I've been doing for 15 years of my life. I can't wait.''
Gavadza was a sixth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000 before being released during training camp. After bouncing around the NFL, Gavadza was assigned to the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe by the St. Louis Rams in 2002. He missed the 2003 season with a serious shoulder injury but attended the Montreal Alouettes training camp in '04 before being released. He later joined the B.C. Lions as a free agent and went to the Grey Cup with the club. Gavadza spent last year with B.C. as a backup fullback and special-teams player.
``The word `potential' was always there and the old adage that you want a coach that likes you and gives you that opportunity,'' Gavadza said of his life as a pro football nomad. ``Every decision was different and you don't know the path given to you but you stay positive, you keep playing and good things happen.''
Gavadza sees no trouble juggling his real estate career with his new day job.
``Athlete by day, agent by night,'' he said.
