By Sean Hatchard
Telegraph-Journal
On the third day of 2020, Darin Burns took stock of his life, including his fitness.
He wasn’t happy with what he saw.
A former Canadian Football League player, the 56-year-old Riverview resident hadn’t seen a gym regularly in years.
The death of his childhood mentor, former CFL player-turned-ordained chaplain Bruce Smith, back in 2013 hit him hard. There was also lingering trauma from a turbulent upbringing that saw him in and out of group homes, and a Crown ward by the age of 12.
When the calendar flipped to 2020 last January, Burns weighed 325 pounds and had a 47-inch waist.
“I lost myself,” he said.
“It was depression. Losing Bruce was like losing part of my soul. I wasn’t doing anything. Some business stuff, the pressures of life, the baggage I’ve been carrying for years.”
Burns’ son, Taylor, who plays football at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., encouraged his dad to start lifting weights and get into shape. Taylor had discovered no one had ever played competitive football in six different decades.
And just like that, the goal was set.
Next spring, at the age of 57, Burns will hit the field as a member of the Moncton Mustangs, the city’s entry in the Maritime Football League.
The defensive lineman played junior football in Ontario, beginning in the 1970s. His last football game came in 2011 with an MFL all-star team.
“Why not try to make my story history?” he said.
Life-changing mentor
Burns met Smith when he was a 14-year-old growing up in Toronto. He was participating in a football camp when Smith, then a Toronto Argonauts player, saw the teenager hitchhiking home.
Smith drove Burns to his group home, and took him under his wing – on and off the field.
It changed Burns’ life, and he gained a best friend.
He went on to star as a defensive end in junior football in Ontario, and later had stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes and Ottawa Rough Riders in the CFL.
He’s dedicated this football comeback to Smith, who died of cancer at the age of 63.
“When I do something for Bruce, nothing gets in my way,” said Burns, an entrepreneur and father of five who has resided in Riverview since 2008. “He was the first person that loved me unconditionally.”
On Jan. 3, Burns went to the 24/7 Fitness Club in Riverview, the start of his fitness mission.
He took a photo of himself that day – and it wasn’t until later the significance of the date became clear.
Jan. 3 was the seven-year anniversary of Smith’s death.
Back to work
Since the first trip back to the gym in early January, Burns hasn’t stopped.
He trains seven days a week, in the gym by 6 a.m. each day. A combination of weightlifting, core and cardio work.
He eats a clean diet and has eliminated late-night snacks.
“It’s been the hardest thing I’ve done physically in my life,” Burns said of this journey. “I’m taking it slow. Every day increasing, increasing, increasing. I’m staying within my limits and don’t go beyond that. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Every month I have targets that I try to hit, so when the season comes, I’m ready to roll.”
Burns has a team behind him, including Jason Gallant and Herb Fournier of the 24/7 Fitness Club, personal trainer Kamecha Boudreau and physiotherapist John Gonzalez. He’s started attending church weekly with Darren Phillips.
His weight is down to 300 pounds, his waist down to 35 inches.
“I feel amazing. My blood pressure is down, I’m healthier. When I was running at the Rocky Stone field last summer, I had a spring in my legs I haven’t felt in years,” he said. “I’ve managed to turn the clock back.”
Burns and his 20-year-old son Taylor, a starting offensive lineman at McMaster, have a friendly rivalry in the weight room.
“As I started progressing and getting stronger and putting on a lot of muscle mass, I think he got jealous and said, ‘OK, it’s time for me to come back and do my thing,'” Taylor said.
“Every time he does a PR (personal record), I want to hit that for 10 reps.”
Father and son
The payoff will come next May when Burns returns to the field with the Mustangs – as a 57-year-old.
Burns previously played two seasons with the senior team back in 2009-10 when he was in his 40s. His record playing for the Mustangs is 21-0 and includes two MFL championships.
“I’m not going to be like Gordie Howe, when he went out on the ice for just one shift,” he said. “My intention is that I’m coming to play and I’m playing the whole season.”
Mustangs head coach Rob Weir will be happy to call on Burns’ name next season.
“It’s a wonderful story,” he said. “I’ve seen him in the gym, I’ve watched him. He’s in better shape than any of the 20-year-olds.”
Getting back on the gridiron will be fun, but the best part for Burns will be suiting up alongside his son. The plan is for Taylor to play the opening game of the season with the Mustangs, with Burns’ four daughters (Ashley, Erika, Sarah and Dayna) all in attendance.
“It’s going to be amazing,” said Burns. “I’m determined to turn back father time.”
VIA: https://tj.news/story/101434538
PHOTO: Jason Bowie
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