Argonauts' James Wilder Jr. seizing breakout moment to help others

With football in his being, James Wilder Jr. has an inherent grasp of role.

So when called out in front of his teammates partway through his rookie season with the Toronto Argonauts, and challenged to be the difference for a sputtering offence as the team’s new starting tailback, Wilder raised his level. Racking up more than 900 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns in five games since, Wilder is spearheading Toronto’s suddenly-explosive attack and represents one of the primary reasons the club will host a postseason game at BMO Field for the very first time next month.

And understanding that the function of a professional athlete is more than on-the-field production, Wilder is using the platform he only just grabbed a hold of to do his part to contribute to something much more important.

Amid his breakout, the Argonauts’ passing-catching rookie back launched the #runWILDERforthecure campaign, wherein he’s challenged fellow running backs in both the CFL and NFL to join him in pledging funds to breast cancer research and awareness based on yardage gained and touchdowns scored throughout the month of October.

All told, he has 12 rushing for research. The list willing to donate $1 for each rushing yard gained and $100 for every touchdown scored includes CJ Gable of the Edmonton Eskimos, Chris Rainey of the B.C. Lions, and Wilder’s teammates Martese Jackson and Declan Cross, as well as the NFL’s Melvin Gordon, Devonta Freeman and Chris Thompson.

Wilder needed to reach out to some to get them on board, while others caught wind of his initiative and contacted him with an eagerness to contribute to a cause that affects so many people – Wilder included.

“Everybody knows somebody,” Wilder said, explaining that his mother’s friend’s breast cancer diagnosis was part of the reason he launched this initiative. “So many people are affected. The NFL and CFL and all sports are wearing the pink, but I always felt, we’re bring awareness to it, but (what) is it really doing? I felt like we have to do a lot more.”

In many ways, the fundraiser has evolved into a fantasy game, of sorts, within the running back fraternity, and a competition that has helped friends from different locker rooms continue to keep in touch. Wilder is busy presiding over a leaderboard, monitoring the amount of money that each participant has tallied to this point.

With one week to go, it’s Gordon of the Los Angeles Chargers leading with 386 total yards and four touchdowns, followed by Edmonton’s Gable. Wilder isn’t tailing too far behind despite losing one game to an injury (Toronto’s only loss since he took over the starter’s role). And while he won’t be able to make up the difference himself with the Argonauts on a bye this week, he will “adopt” a back to run on his behalf to close out the campaign.

Admittedly, Wilder’s initiative will only play a small role in the ongoing process of understanding and treating cancers of all kinds. The final donations for #runWILDERforthecure should land in the $4,000 range. But in what he hopes will mirror his opportunity in the Argonauts’ backfield, a start will snowball into something much, much bigger.

Wilder’s encouraging football fans to follow their favourite running backs’ lead and pledge what they can to support the cause.

“It doesn’t have to be anything that’s going to empty your pockets. Whatever it is, it’s helping. And it’s a fun way to help support breast cancer research.”

While the month is coming to a close, Wilder promises that his philanthropic efforts as a member of the Argonauts are only getting started. Currently brainstorming ideas for his next project, the rookie-of-the-year candidate wants to continue supporting causes close to his heart while he still has the opportunity to influence others.

“If you have a great career, the window (to help) is open for the rest of your life. But nobody knows when you’re window is going to (close). So the time while we have the stage, we should use it to have a positive impact, and try to inspire, and do what we can to touch other people’s lives.”

‘You wanna soak that in’

The son of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend, James Wilder Jr. has always had a guiding voice in his corner.

The standard his father set, and the advice and encouragement he was able to lend was a “blessing” for Wilder, who became the No. 1 recruit in the nation out of high school and a star at Florida State University in part due to his father’s tutelage.

But the CFL is somewhat of a foreign concept to James Sr., much like it was for his son before he made the decision to resuscitate his career in Canada. And while Wilder was stuck on the sidelines for months, knowing he could bring more to the team if he was averaging more than five touches per game in a backup role, he had another encouraging voice in his ear – one familiar to all Argonauts fans.

Michael “Pinball” Clemons has been a motivational mainstay in Toronto since carving out a legendary career with the Argonauts throughout the 1990s. And he’s been able to share his wisdom with a fellow Floridian trying to make a name for himself out of the backfield in double blue.

“Every time I talk to him he has something new for me,” Wilder said, “That’s someone you definitely want in your corner and I’m blessed to be able to have him in mine.”

The best advice from Pinball?

Wilder says that Pinball has him trying to embrace every moment, to soak it in while he can. He told him to remember what each moment feels like because it’s the best way to control the future.

This includes what it feels like to break off the longest run he could remember, 76 yards for a touchdown versus the Edmonton Eskimos during his Week 13 breakout.

And, perhaps more importantly, the feeling of standing on the sideline, waiting with helmet in hand.

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