Adversity has never scared REDBLACKS’ DB Sherrod Baltimore

Be it in life, or in sport, nothing has ever come easily for Sherrod Baltimore.

By now, his story has been etched into the minds of every REDBLACKS fan; an unknown product of the University of Maine came to Ottawa on a whim in 2017, eventually battling his way to a starting position, and before long, became a fan-favourite in large thanks to his big heart and marketable personality.

He was the REDBLACKS’ nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2017, and on the surface, it seemed Baltimore was destined for greatness in the nation’s capital, but it wouldn’t come easily. When the 2018 season started, Baltimore found himself needing to climb the ladder once more, back on the practice roster.

That’s life, Baltimore says.

As 2018 wound down, Baltimore drew back into the lineup, and in the Grey Cup, he picked off Bo Levi Mitchell to keep the REDBLACKS close as the first half’s final minutes ticked away. Nearly five years have passed since then, and until last Saturday, Baltimore hadn’t felt the glory of stealing a possession for his team.

“I stay ready so I don’t have to get ready, but I’m just happy to be on the field and making plays,” Baltimore said. “I’m just trying to help us get a win, that’s all I’m doing, and the rest will take care of itself.”

“It felt good to get the ball back for the offence. In the last few years, I missed out on some opportunities and dropped a couple of picks, but last year I was top-five in pass breakups, so it wasn’t like I wasn’t making plays. It feels good to have the ball back in my hands.”

That feeling could have been even better, though. Before Caleb Evans scrambled into the endzone to give the Montreal Alouettes a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, Baltimore had a chance to seal the game.

In the endzone, he came down with what would have been an interception, but after review, the call was overturned. It could have been his first-career multi-interception game, but was wiped away, and instead, was replaced with a Montreal touchdown. A punch in the gut, to say the least.

At this point in his life, what’s more adversity? Ultimately, each time you get knocked down, it’s just a sign to keep fighting.

For the Fort Washington, Maryland native, getting better doesn’t necessarily mean more interceptions, more accolades, or even more playing time, it’s winning his individual battles to make sure his team has the best chance to win.

In recent years, despite his best efforts, winning has been a tricky subject for the REDBLACKS. In his time in Ottawa, he has immersed himself in everything about the city, and has gotten to know many fans on a personal level. From them, he knows how badly they want success, but no one wants that feeling more than the players.

“Losing sucks,” Baltimore said. “I won’t lie to you, I think about it all the time, and when you lose, it takes a lot away from you. I had that interception last week, but we lost, so it felt like I may as well have done nothing. I’m trying to win a Grey Cup, you can take everything else from me, I’d rather have that than all of the stats and accolades.”

In what has been a challenging season, the REDBLACKS have shown they have the talent to be competitive in this league, and that’s what makes the recent stretch of tough losses so difficult, Baltimore says.

Just like every other time he’s hit adversity in his life, the only option is taking it on the chin, never backing down, and not being afraid of what’s next.

“We’re going to take this one day at a time, just like we have been doing,” Baltimore said. “We control our own destiny.”

When you put it all into perspective, Baltimore truly is a winner. No matter what he does in his career, he wants to serve as an inspiration for people, showing what hard work and dedication can achieve.

“It’s a blessing to be here, I’ll never take a day for granted,” Baltimore said. “That’s what I want to show the young kids in Ottawa. The youth control the future, and there are a lot of good people out there in Ottawa.