The trick to the food bank, Orlondo Steinauer will tell, was to get there early.

"You could get the basics most of the time," the outstanding Argos defensive back said. "But if you got there really early, you could get the stuff the Hostess people brought, the Twinkies and the cupcakes."

Orlondo Steinauer is 31 years old. He has made his living as a CFL player for nine years.

Steinauer is the only child of a single mom, Margaret, who worked at an assembly plant in Seattle.

He never knew his dad. His mom was always working.

"Alot of times, my mom would be gone to work when I got up in the morning and still at work at night," he said. "I remember Santa Claus coming to our house and there was just one stocking up. I remember people coming from our church with food and stuff to help."

His grandparents were a strong influence, but Steinauer always has had the perfect instincts for what would become his living as a defensive back: Study, wait and make your move.

"I'm kind of a self-taught person," he said. "My grandfather was a police sergeant and I think I took a lot of my sense of discipline from him.

"I really enjoy observing people. I read a lot and I try to listen to what people have to say."

Even by CFL standards, Orlondo Steinauer has seen quite a bit. He has earned all-star status at three different stations in the defensive backfield: Cornerback, safety and defensive halfback.

Leo Cahill called him to play for the Ottawa Rough Riders after Steinauer was cut by the NFL's Detroit Lions in 1996. The Riders won only three games. Players were paid, just not necessarily on payday.

It was the pros, but barely.

"I remember after my first season, I got home with $5,000. I was making $45,000 Canadian but after your living expenses and the exchange, $5,000 was all that was left."

When the Riders folded, Steinauer was grabbed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a dispersal draft.

Seven interceptions and 65 tackles landed him a spot the next year as an Eastern all-star.

Steinauer had an interception and six tackles as Hamilton dropped the Calgary Stampeders in the 1999 Grey Cup game.

After three stellar seasons as a Tiger-Cat, Steinauer signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2000, but when he hurt his knee in training camp it was goodbye NFL.

Steinauer was back in Hamilton in time for the playoffs but, seeking a new challenge, he signed with the Argos that winter.

Steinauer has racked up 17 interceptions as an Argonaut, including two this season, and he remains one of the premier cover backs in the CFL.

Now, you can look at Orlando Steinauer's story a few ways.

He grew up poor and without a father.

He didn't go to a big school but instead toiled at Western Washington University.

He fell short of earning the big-ticket NFL lifestyle, with all the attendant money and perks.

But Orlando Steinauer counts himself among the lucky.

He lives in Mississauga year-round with his wife, Gina, and daughter, Kiana.

He has created a foundation called the Ozone. He solicits donations for food and gift baskets and then drops them off for single mothers around town.

He sees himself staying in the game as a coach when his playing days end, or maybe moving into media.

It has been, he said, a sainted ride.

"I know, it's not the NFL, there's not the media hype, but you work the same hours and you get to play a game a week," he said.

"What's important isn't just winning a football game and seeing your face on television. It's what you do the rest of the time that matters most."