You Must Train to Remain Insane

Stinger Defensive Back Kris Robertson Does It All as Athlete and Personal Trainer

SportsVince Morello — Published November 24, 2014

Robertson takes it upon himself to be in extreme shape to help him become a better and stronger player. Being named Concordia’s fittest male athlete two years in a row—in 2010 and 2011—did not happen by accident.

Becoming a personal trainer seemed like an obvious choice.

“I needed something that I liked doing, that I would be able to make money [from] and support myself in the summer to pay for my training and pay for my supplements and whatnot,” Robertson said. “Something where I need to have the hours that could accommodate my training schedule.

“I have my own business that allows me to make my own hours so I can work out like nine-to-five everyday.”

The work Robertson has put into reaching peak fitness and becoming a dominant player in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport has paid off. The defensive back will end his university career as a two-time CIS All-Canadian and a three-time all-star in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec conference, his third time coming after this season where he recorded a league-high five interceptions.

Robertson will take a second crack at the Canadian Football League after being selected 11th overall during the 2013 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers , a high point of his young football career.

“I wanted to get drafted top 15 and it happened. The hard work paid off,” he said.

However, a torn anterior cruciate ligament put his dreams on hold. Robertson was released by the Blue Bombers and forced to watch his colleagues play from the sidelines.

“It wasn’t physically hard—it was more mentally,” Robertson said. “Seeing people from your draft class playing and doing well and you’re rehabbing. It’s not the easiest thing in the world.”

After battling through his injury both physically and mentally, Robertson came back to play for the Stingers in his final year of eligibility in 2014.

“[The] last resort was coming back to play again, to show CFL teams that I can in fact play again,” said Robertson.

Although he has the CFL in his sights, Robertson will never forget about his time with the Maroon and Gold, particularly this past season where the Stingers won their first game since 2012 and subsequently won their first four games of the season. The Stingers finished with a 5-3 record, the team’s first winning season since 2008.

“Honestly it was amazing,” Robertson said of the season. “The fact that since being here I haven’t been on a Stingers team that has been .500 and to be .500, ending up with a 5-3 record, the best record of my career here—it just, it feels like there’s a sense of pride to be a Stinger again.”

It’s a sense of pride first-year head coach and RSEQ Coach of the Year Mickey Donovan helped instill into the team.

“Honestly, it’s just new life, it’s a breath of fresh air,” said Robertson. “It’s a new regime now. That’s the plan.”

Although it’s his final year with the Stingers as a player, fans shouldn’t be shocked to hear Robertson’s name called years after his football career is over. The veteran back may even follow in the footsteps of Donovan, who took up coaching after his playing days were done.

“Coaching is something that I definitely want to get into. I have already started at the youth level in high school,” Robertson said. “My goal is to be back at the CFL and then when my football career is over, then I’m going to address that issue of coaching.”

In the meantime, Robertson has his sights on making a living as a CFL player and he’s looking to make the most of his second chance.

“I’m just going to finish school. It’s my last year. [I’m going to] train really hard, hopefully I get a shot again,” said Robertson.