A tongue-in-cheek Facebook video shows the Langley Rams football team getting a practice in, while respecting social distancing.
It begins with Rams head coach Howie Zaron expressing the hope that everyone stays safe, then tossing a football out of the camera field of vision.
Next, the video cuts to player after player catching, then tossing the ball, with varying degrees of humour.
One makes the catch with one arm while doing bicep curls with the other, while another hands off to a smaller sibling, who then makes the toss.
Zaron said the video was the idea of Rams team doctor Mark Malowney, who makes the final catch wearing a medical mask and using a paper bag.
“Seriously guys, do you have any idea how many people have touched this football?” a mock-indignant Malowney says.
In posting the video, Malowney described it as ” a little game of social distancing football” for the players adding “I hope to be back out on the field with you again soon!”
Zaron said the video was a way of raising spirits when the team has been idled by COVID-19 restrictions.
“They can’t do much,” Zaron told the Langley Advance Times.
“We’re missing out on workouts.”
Rams have cancelled their upcoming spring camp.
Zaron said the real test of team patience will come in May, when, if the Rams are still unable to practice or play, “you’ll see some frustration.”
At @LangleyEvents Centre we're proud to be part of the sports culture throughout our entire community. The 2019 @LangleyRams left us with a season to remember, so today we say #ThanksForTheMemories pic.twitter.com/f61s8g0T5C
— TFSE TV (@TFSETV) April 2, 2020
Meanwhile, in social media posts, the team has announced several returning players and several new names have been signed.
Among them, receiver, Liam Stewart, returning for his third season, All-Canadian corner Kyle Clarot, third year linebacker Colten De Jong, offensive lineman Zack Rohan and Cole Barron.
New names include defensive back Mark Potasho, offensive lineman Steven Sharma, linebacker Brodie Alexander, wide receiver Wilson Ojo, running back Kevin Palacios, safety Kurtis Flynn, d-lineman Ivan Rojas Jr, linebacker Byron Ruvalcaba, o-lineman Anthony Bassetto, o-lineman Cole Reeder, receiver Terrel Jones and d-lineman Arjun Sran.
Letters of intent signees include Billy Matwichnya, Matteo Viani , Mark Straw and Michael Calvert.
Please help us welcome back All-Canadian Corner, Kyle Clarot! #Redemption2020 pic.twitter.com/iAesy03QF6
— Langley Rams (@LangleyRams) April 13, 2020
A few weeks earlier, the Langley Fusion softball team attracted 3,500 shares with a Facebook video in a similar vein.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Langley softball team plays ball, while maintaining ‘social distancing’
Among the players seen in the Facebook clip, one makes a catch, then appears to use a hand spray to disinfect the ball, before throwing it, while another player wears a antiviral mask and still another does a flip on a trampoline.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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