In this episode of Morreale and Hitch, the hosts welcome former CFL player Dave Stala, who shares his journey from a high school athlete in Hamilton to a successful 13-year career in the Canadian Football League. The conversation covers Stala's early influences, his experiences playing for teams like Montreal and Hamilton, and the evolution of receiver gloves in the sport. The hosts reminisce about their shared history and the changes in the game over the years, highlighting the toughness required to succeed as a receiver. They reflect on the evolution of coaching styles in football and share personal anecdotes from their careers, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community support.

Takeaways

• Dave Stala reflects on his long-standing friendship with the hosts.
• Stala discusses the evolution of football gear, particularly gloves.
• He shares anecdotes from his high school days and early football experiences.
• The importance of mentorship and guidance in shaping young athletes is emphasized.
• The episode concludes with reflections on the current state of football and its future. Toughness is essential for receivers in football.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome

03:05 - Dave Stala's Football Journey

06:01 - The Evolution of Receiver Gloves

08:56 - High School and Early Career

11:55 - Playing in the CFL and Career Highlights

14:58 - Reflections on the Game and Its Changes

16:10 - Influences and Inspirations in Football

18:31 - The Art of Catching and Trusting Your Quarterback

20:55 - Respecting the Game and Its Players

22:46 - The Experience of Playing in Hamilton

24:43 - Career Highlights and Grey Cup Memories

27:58 - Building a Business in Hamilton

30:51 - The Importance of Hiring Athletes

32:16 - Reflections and Wrap-up

Listen live at ticats.ca/listen

The Ticats Audio Network provides Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite football team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mike Daly, Bubba O’Neil, Courtney Stephen, Simoni Lawrence, Mike Morreale, Rob Hitchcock, Brian Simmons, Louie Butko, Ticats players, coaches and front office personnel, other Canadian Football League experts and many more. Regular shows include Ticats Today, Ticats This Week, Tiger-Cats Game Day, Tiger-Cats Pregame, Tiger-Cats At The Half, Tiger-Cats Postgame, Speaking With The Enemy, Morreale & Hitch, CFL This Week, and so much more. Ticats Audio Network content can be found on the Tiger-Cats YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at listen.ticats.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats social media channels to keep up to date with all Ticats Audio Network content.
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