Ismail in the News, but When Will He Play?

What was supposed to be the Canadian Football League debut of Raghib (Rocket) Ismail Thursday night instead turned into an appearance in Salon A of an exhibition hall adjacent to Lansdowne Park, where Ismail’s team, the Toronto Argonauts, played the Ottawa Rough Riders. Ismail held another news conference.

“I think I’ve got a CFL record there,” Ismail said.

Dressed in black pants and a blue print shirt buttoned to the neck, Ismail was out of uniform, out of action and -- being on the defensive side -- out of position. His commitment to the CFL and his attitude have been questioned by many people, including his teammates and coach, because of the way Ismail has reacted to a left quadriceps injury. The muscle is strained, but not nearly as badly as the start to his professional career.

Teammates have told Toronto reporters about how Ismail, the kick returner and wide receiver from Notre Dame, has showed up late for strategy sessions, missed team meals, fell asleep at meetings and missed more practices than necessary because of his leg injury and the removal of his wisdom teeth.

Since the Argonauts began training camp June 7, Ismail has practiced only five days. He has spent just as many days in Los Angeles attending to his injury and more frivolous matters, such as watching the Dodgers play. After signing a four-year contract that guarantees him $18 million, Ismail has brought the league publicity. Most of it, though, dubious.

“I don’t think the money isn’t anything I haven’t worked for,” Ismail said. “It’s right. I know people are frustrated. If they are as frustrated as I am, I understand that. But I’m tired of all that stuff. I’m ready to play.”

Well, not quite. He hopes to play next week, when the Argonauts open their home season at SkyDome. Ottawa had been expecting a sellout crowd last night -- the place holds only 30,927 -- but they lost any chance of that when the Argonauts announced Tuesday night that Ismail was not fit to play.

Ismail watched from the sideline. His name was announced twice -- in English and French -- and he was booed in both languages. Count the Rough Riders’ defensive players among the disappointed.

“(The CFL) should be first among his priorities and it doesn’t seem he’s taking it that way,” Ottawa defensive end Gregg Stumon told the Toronto Sun. “Our defense was geared up to be the first to introduce him to the game of CFL football. Everybody feels this guy is overrated. Every defense across this country wants to get the guy. We want him to know this is no rinky-dink league.

“At Notre Dame, it’s mandatory to be at practice every day. Now he’s getting paid big bucks and he’s not practicing. It’s not right. I’m not going to say the guy’s life is in danger, but everybody wants to get the guy.”

There is growing suspicion that Ismail, 21, is merely biding his time here, cashing the checks of owners Bruce McNall, actor John Candy and hockey player Wayne Gretzy, until he moves on to either the Los Angeles Raiders or a track career. He said Thursday night that “yes, in the future” he will run track.

Ismail has not practiced since the first week of training camp. Even then, Toronto Coach Adam Rita pulled him aside one day and lectured him about his dedication, though the coach later admitted he may have acted prematurely. The situation grew worse last Friday when Ismail left for what was supposed to be a two-day trip to Los Angeles to attend to personal business matters. He flew back and forth on McNall’s private jet.

“It was arranged weeks ago,” General Manager Mike McCarthy said. “He had asked for two days off to take care of some business out there. Once he was hurt, Bruce McNall suggested that he see (L.A. Kings physician Steve) Lombardo.”

Said Ismail, “I was out in L.A. getting therapy. It wasn’t like I was on the beach or anything. That’s a misconception a lot of people have. I was out there working hard.”

The two-day trip turned into a five-day junket. Ismail appeared at a card show in Los Angeles, was reported to have posed in uniform for a football card, took in a Dodgers baseball game and made an appearance on Arsenio Hall’s show. None of that appeared to ruffle Toronto management.

“Maybe he sold some tickets by being on TV,” McCarthy said. “Maybe he sold a season ticket to Arsenio.”

Ismail’s teammates did not take his absence so blithely. While Ismail was off in Los Angeles, the team was sequestered at the University of Guelph for a four-week training camp that was so grinding that, as slotback Andrew Murray said, “You become the PMS football player.”

Slotback Darrell Smith, one of several players to question Ismail’s commitment, said, “If he thinks he’s going to go through a season without hurting anywhere, he’s in for a big surprise. This isn’t Notre Dame. This is the big time whether he believes it or not.”

On Monday, after the players’ gripes appeared in the newspapers, McCarthy called a team meeting.

“I told them, ‘No. 1, it ain’t any of your business why he’s out there,”’ McCarthy said. “‘And No. 2, I’ll tell you anyway.’ I went through it and then said, ‘Any questions?’ There weren’t any. So I said, ‘Fine.’ That was it. He’s not getting any preferential treatment.”

Players later said McCarthy placed a gag order on them regarding any negative comments about Ismail, saying there would be “ramifications” if they defied it.

“We’re now like Elizabeth Taylor,” Rita said. “When you get a divorce, everyone is going to know about it. Any dirty laundry or tiffs are going to get magnified.”

Said Ismail, “No, I won’t hold a meeting to talk to (the team) about it. If they want to know, sure, I’ll answer any questions they have. I’m sure they understand.”

Ismail returned to Toronto Tuesday night but did not fly with the team here Wednesday. He took McNall’s jet Thursday.

Ismail is still an unopened, unmarked package here. All of this intrigue has heightened the interest in just what sort of impact Ismail will have on the league.

“He’s better than anyone I’ve ever seen north or south of the border,” Rita said. “And I’ve only seen him in five practices. It’s that damn obvious. He’s so fast he gives you windburn. And unlike most guys, he doesn’t have to slow down to make a cut. He’s got 4.2 speed over 40 yards).

“If you’re covering him, you better get going because he’s going to be gone. If they’re going to single-cover him, we’re going to make it a track meet. Our philosophy is, when in doubt, go deep.”

Mike (Pinball) Clemons, the Argos’ all-purpose back and featured player in their offense, said, “I’ve never seen a guy with as much talent as he has. And remember, I’ve only seen him in five practices.”