Uncertainty Looms for Chatham's Andy Fantuz

Andy Fantuz

You’d think after signing his first NFL contract with the Chicago Bears that Andy Fantuz would be living the high life and celebrating the next step in his professional football career. As he should be, unless that is, the NFL’s work stoppage, or lockout, gets in the way.

If the 2011-2012 NFL season is played as scheduled, Fantuz would be unavailable to the Saskatchewan Roughriders or any other CFL team. Even if Fantuz is released from the Chicago Bears during camp, he would likely not be available to the Roughriders until the fall, which is well into the CFL season.

Essentially what this means is, Fantuz, a former John McGregor Secondary School student in Chatham, would be sitting out the season if the NFL remains locked out with its players, or missing the majority of the CFL season if the Chicago Bears release the former CFL star. In an ideal world, Fantuz will be on the field with the Chicago Bears as scheduled, but on if the NFL and the Players Association can come to a new agreement.

Adding to the situation, it is rumoured that the  Chicago Bears are aiming to take a big wide receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft this April. The team is unsatisfied with the size of its receivers, an issue that was believed to be partially addressed by the signing of the 6’4″ Andy Fantuz; however, it seems the team is still looking to add depth at the position which will create added competition for Fantuz at the Bears’ training camp.

Last season, Fantuz was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian and led the league in receiving yards. He auditioned for several NFL teams before signing a contract with the Chicago Bears for the coming season.

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