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“I’d like to think I’m built for it,” he says after whirlwind journey from third-stringer to taking centre stage as Montreal’s starting pivot.
Author of the article:
Montreal Gazette
Montreal Gazette
Herb Zurkowsky
Published Jun 06, 2025 • Last updated 12 minutes ago • 4 minute read
"Your life can change so fast," Alouettes starting quarterback Davis Alexander says. "I'm thankful, blessed and I don't want it ever to be taken away from me. I'll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Your life can change so fast," Alouettes starting quarterback Davis Alexander says. "I'm thankful, blessed and I don't want it ever to be taken away from me. I'll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen." John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette
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There’s an opening for a part-time waiter at Goldie’s Sports Cafe in Scottsdale, Az.
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The position was formerly held by Davis Alexander between December and April, when he was the Alouettes’ third-string quarterback. The work was good. The tips were even better. A weekend double shift might result in an extra US$500 on top of his hourly wage.
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But now that Alexander is Montreal’s starter and is paid accordingly — he’s guaranteed a reported $258,000 this season and could earn as much as $336,000, including a $120,000 signing bonus — he might have figured he no longer needed the spare change.
The money hasn’t changed the 26-year-old native of Gig Harbor, Wash. He still drives a 2017 Kia Optima with 86,000 miles on the odometer because it runs perfectly fine. But so much more in his life has drastically changed.
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Last July 11, when quarterback Cody Fajardo sustained a hamstring injury, Alexander remained on the bench. Instead, Fajardo was replaced by Caleb Evans and the Als suffered their first loss of the season after five wins. Nonetheless, Evans remained the starter in Montreal’s next game, against Saskatchewan. But with the Als trailing by 13 points at halftime, head coach Jason Maas finally turned to Alexander.
Montreal won that night along with the next three games Alexander started. The Als also beat Ottawa on Oct. 14 with Alexander behind centre, and management had seen enough. Alexander, a potential free agent, was signed to a three-year contract extension on Nov. 27, three weeks before Fajardo was traded to Edmonton for QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
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There are times Alexander must want to pinch himself to ensure he’s not dreaming.
“Cody Fajardo went from winning the Grey Cup, (suffering) a fluke hamstring injury and the organization decides to move on from him,” Alexander told The Gazette this week. “Your life can change so fast. I’m thankful, blessed and I don’t want it ever to be taken away from me. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“I want to cherish it all and I’m thankful for it all,” he added. “But there’s more that I’m striving for than this milestone.”
As the Als prepare for Friday’s regular-season opener against the Toronto Argonauts at Molson Stadium (7:30 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) much remains to be discovered. But the burning question, and the one that ultimately will define Montreal’s season, is simple: Is Alexander ready to be the guy?
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While Alexander is beginning his fourth season, his playing time has been limited. At 6-feet and 195 pounds, he’s far from the CFL’s biggest quarterback and probably doesn’t possess the league’s strongest arm. But there’s something about him. He’s a leader, competitor and winner. Alexander has moxie, even continuing to play last season while his father, Matt, lost his battle to lung cancer.
Management believes in Alexander. So do his teammates.
Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander darts between Ottawa defenders during first half against the Redblacks at Molson Stadium in Montreal on Oct. 14, 2024.
“His leadership qualities … and his confidence,” receiver Tyson Philpot said. “That confidence bleeds onto us as a receiver group.”
“His competitive edge,” added receiver Austin Mack. “He’s been in this offence a few years. You’re starting to see someone grow in this offence. The way he has taken command of everything, taken ownership of that role. You’re seeing a guy with confidence. You can see it in his aura.”
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The backup quarterback is often the most popular player on a team because he plays sparingly and little is expected. Everything Alexander accomplished last season — he passed for 1,347 yards and six touchdowns while completing 69.5 per cent of his throws and was intercepted only twice — was gravy. He also gained 166 yards rushing on 24 carries with three touchdowns, but took some hellacious hits that might make Maas grow old before our eyes.
Now, all that will be expected. Most quarterbacks — Alexander included — thrive under that pressure and are determined to meet those demands.
“I know this city is a huge sports town, and that’s one thing I love,” Alexander said. “They’re going to let you hear it, whether you’re playing good or bad. That’s how I want it to be. Nothing’s going to change about me. If we have to win a game 13-10, we win the game. That’s the only thing that matters.
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“There’s different types of pressure situations. The pressure of being a starting quarterback week in and out is different than going to win a two-minute drive,” added Alexander, who did precisely that at Saskatchewan on Aug. 16. “I’d like to think I’m built for it. I don’t feel like I’ll be fazed under pressure — but only time will tell, I guess.”
Alexander has paid his dues, learning under Vernon Adams Jr., Trevor Harris and Fajardo. Alexander also can lean on Maas and offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo, both former CFL quarterbacks. If general manager Danny Maciocia has surrounded Alexander with a competent supporting cast on offence, he won’t necessarily have to win games by himself.
Meanwhile, Alexander has quickly discovered the perks that go with being the Als’ starting pivot. He gets recognized more frequently. Restaurant meals occasionally are free or come with a discount — not that Alexander wants to be treated differently, he insisted.
And next Saturday evening, Alexander has been invited to a Canadian Grand Prix event at a downtown hotel. He attended the same event a year ago — as Fajardo’s plus-one.
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