CALGARY -- If Randy Chevrier took a different path in life -- one that went downhill -- chances are Jesse Lumsden would be trying to steal his job this winter.
Back in 1999, it was Chevrier who was contemplating pushing his way on to the Canadian bobsled team.
After going through a series of tests, and doing four runs in the sled, the Calgary Stampeders long-snapper decided to stick with football.
Lumsden, the injured Edmonton Eskimos running back who will sit out today's West semifinal at McMahon Stadium, seems destined to jump in a bobsled this winter after the CFL season is done.
Chevrier doesn't regret the decision, but wouldn't mind trying it again in the future.
"If Pierre Lueders wants to stuff his sled with a fat guy who sits right behind Jesse Lumsden, I'm up for it," Chevrier said with a laugh.
One of the main sticking points for Chevrier at the time was his size. Tipping the scales at about 260 lb., the defensive lineman was about 40 lb. heavier than the biggest guys in the program.
So with the prospects of going to the NFL -- Chevrier was drafted out of McGill -- the Montreal native opted for the football route.
"I was pretty quick ... I was fast for that size," Chevrier said. "I tested well enough they wanted to see me in the sled. The agreement was I had to lose some weight to attempt it. I was way too heavy. They would have had to make the sled lighter, and it's already bare bones.
"We left it at that. I enjoyed the experience and it was something I would do again, but never in my wildest dream did I think I would in my ninth pro season."
The national team has recruited several former football players, so Lumsden's inclusion isn't something out of the ordinary.
"They need power from a zero starting point," Chevrier said.
IAN.BUSBY@SUNMEDIA.CA
