Vallejo Times Herald: CFL-bound Cal grad finds temporary home in Benicia

Confusing road for standout DB finally leads to Calgary

By RICHARD FREEDMAN, Times-Herald staff writer

Because the Chicago Bears allegedly pulled a fast one, Donnie McCleskey's mother-in-law in Benicia is one miffed woman.   McCleskey, a standout defensive back this past season for the University of California at Berkeley, was apparently promised a job by the Bears after it was learned the San Diego Chargers were getting ready to sign the undrafted 5-foot-10, 190-pounder.   After McCleskey canceled his San Diego trip, he flew to Chicago where he was told the team had changed its mind and filled its roster with other free agents.

"Chicago assured him" he had a job, said Jamie Ligot. "Then they called Tuesday and said, ŒYou know what, we're full and we're not going to sign you.' "  Because all teams have completed their 53-man minicamp rosters, the undrafted McCleskey was left scrambling. So he called Cal coach Ted Tedford and said, "Find me a job. I have a family to support," Ligot said.

McCleskey, recently married to Ligot's daughter, Sierra, and with a 5-week-old son, needed to sign. Quickly.  Tedford called his former team in Canada, the Calgary Stampeders, who immediately trusted Tedford's faith in the athlete and signed McCleskey to a one-year contract with a two-year option. He can also negate the deal if he eventually signs with the NFL.  Apparently offered a nice chunk of change more than a rookie would get in Chicago, McCleskey and the rest of the family are happy, Ligot said.  "At this point, he said, ŒAs long as I get paid to play football,' " Ligot said.  Since Tai Benjamin was born, McCleskey has lived with Ligot and her husband, neurologist Benjie Ligot.  The rookie Stampeder didn't 

have much time to celebrate. After graduating from Cal on Friday, he was off to training camp. Calgary starts its two-game exhibition schedule June 2, opens the season at home against Edmonton June 17, and finishes its 18-game season Oct. 21.  McCleskey, 22, played a pivotal role in the Golden Bears' last season with 73 tackles, putting him eighth on the all-time list at Cal. It was somewhat surprising, his mother-in-law said, that his name was not called during the pro draft.

"The New York Giants kept calling him, saying, ‘We're going to draft you,' " Ligot said. "Then drafting came and went, and nothing."  McCleskey could do far worse than ending up in Calgary, said Ligot.  "He could have ended up in Detroit or Cleveland, somewhere really lousy," she said. "And Calgary is only 2 12 hours by plane. It would be six hours to Chicago."

If nothing else, Ligot said she and her son-in-law have learned the basic law of pro sports: "If nothing's on a contract, it don't mean squat," she said.  Though McCleskey's son is only five weeks, grandma said the child has athletic potential.  "You should see the size of his hands and feet. It's frightening," she said. "He's a moose."  Since his dad is heading to Canada, that's appropriate.