Former Montreal Alouette defensive end Anwar Stewart had his first practice in a Calgary Stampeders jersey today. After being released by the Als this off season, he didn’t generate much interest from other teams around the league and the 36 years old says he was worried his career was finished.

 “I really didn’t know because the league is going really young. There have been some guys who had been picked up and I had been overlooked. So I did get kind discouraged every once in awhile, but I just continued to keep my faith and I continued to work and something was telling me to be patient. This is a great opportunity for me, i’m in a great position and I have an opportunity to come back next year and compete for a starting job.”

Stewart may have gotten his break because of an injured Stevie Baggs, who pulled a quad muscle during the Baltimore Ravens training camp before signing with the Stamps last month and has yet to suit up for a game. And although Stewart says he can’t control what happens after Baggs recovers, in the meantime, he’s out to show his former team that he’s still got what it takes.

“Exactly. I have four games to prove it to them and the playoffs. So it’s not even just about proving it to them, it’s about proving it to the other 7 teams out there that Anwar’s still got it, he’s a vet, he keeps his body in shape, he has so much knowledge of the game and he’s a team player. And at the end of the day that’s what you want. You want a veteran guy on your team.”