By: Santino Filoso
Today we sit down with Kerry Joseph, a former QB for the Ottawa Renegades. Joseph, a former safety for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, broke into the CFL with the Renegades in 2003 and dazzled Ottawa with his talents until the team folded after the 2005 season. Currently a free agent, Joseph is the last QB to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, which he did for the Renegades in 2005, and holds the Ottawa pro football record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (15) – a record previously held by Russ Jackson.
RR: As an American coming to Canada, what was your initial impression of Ottawa?
KJ: I was really impressed with Ottawa, at first I thought it would be a really cold foreign country but it was actually a very beautiful place.
How difficult was it for you to make the transition from playing safety to quarterback?
It was actually a very easy transition for me because I grew up playing QB.
What do you feel was your best game as a Renegade?
The Gliebermans are often criticized for running the Renegades with a circus-like atmosphere. Did any of that trickle down to the players and do you feel they caused unnecessary distractions for the team?
They didn’t do everything perfectly but it was never a distraction for the players, we just wanted to win.
When the Renegades folded in 2006, did you have any idea where you would end up and what was the general mood of the players upon learning that Ottawa would be disbanded?
I didn’t know where I would end up and players were definitely worried as we all knew our careers would be changed.
Looking back on your time in Ottawa, what sticks with you?
The great community and the great time I had with my coaches and teammates.
What motivated you throughout your career?
The quest to win a championship and to be a great QB.
What’s the best advice you ever received as a player?
The best advice I ever received was to stay humble, stay hungry and to stay focused.
The CFL is famous for it’s wild weather, how did you deal with the elements as QB?
I always just tried to prepare for it as best as possible and otherwise ignore it, we had to play in it anyways.
All QBs get sacked throughout their careers but is there one hit that you’ll always remember?
I got knocked out in Calgary by one of their Defensive Ends.
Which receiver that you played with had the best hands?
Yo Murphy, Andy Fantuz and Fred Stamps
What was your favourite play to run?
A pass play called Pearl, 3 seams to the wide side of the field.
You’ve played on a number of CFL teams, what stadium is the toughest to play at?
Mosaic Stadium.
Do you still keep in touch with any of the guys you played with on the Renegades?
Yes, I stay in touch with quite a few of them.
Looking back at your CFL career, what are you most proud of?
Being part of the 2007 Grey Cup Champs.
When you first heard the name Redblacks, what was your reaction?
I was mainly wondering where the name came from.
Why do you think football in Ottawa will succeed this time around?
They’ve got a great local ownership group.
Do you think the Redblacks will be competitive in their inaugural season?
Yes I think so, they’ve got the players to be competitive.
Now that you are a free agent, what are your future plans? Have you retired, will you get into coaching, etc?
Actually I haven’t officially announced my retirement from Pro Football. Some people had taken it upon themselves to announce that for me, but I haven’t said that myself. That being said, at some point in time I definitely see coaching in my future.
Thank you very much for your time Kerry, best of luck in your future endeavours and we hope to see you at a Redblacks game sometime!
Defend the R 
Short and sweet, good job again RBGade.
What a good/great quarterback (great when Kent Austin was his coach). I remember he was one of a triumverate of QB’s brought in by Eric Tillman to succeed where Oteman Sampson, Dan Crowley, and Chuck Clement had failed… whatever happened to Romaro Miller?