TORONTO \u2014 Playing football for a living has been Derek Slywka\u2019s dream for as long as he can remember. After a fantastic collegiate career, Slywka has carved out his own career path and forged ahead onto the professional level.<\/p>\n
Following his career at Ithaca College, Slywka showcased his skills in a pro day in 2024, hoping that he would land a contract offer from a National Football League team.<\/p>\n
That day did come, and Slywka signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He played with Indy during the 2024 preseason before being waived.<\/p>\n
Soon after his time with the Colts, the opportunity to play in the Canadian Football League approached him.<\/p>\n
He caught the eye of the Toronto Argonauts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt goes back to recently after I was waived by the Colts, I was working with my agent trying to figure out the next steps how I wanted to approach everything,\u201d Slywka said to the Times. \u201cThere were some CFL teams that had seen me at my pro day and were interested in adding me to their negotiation list.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Argonauts are one of nine teams in the CFL who were interested in the kid from Waterloo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was some conversations with CFL teams and then I had a better conversation with Toronto,\u201d he added. \u201cThey wanted to get me up there, join their practice squad, with the stipulation of playing receiver, but also interested in me on the defensive side of the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before the start of his pro career, Slywka starred at Waterloo High School where he played quarterback.<\/p>\n
The lefty showed off his skill-set while in the orange and black as he made his way to the next level at Ithaca. Those moments back then have helped him prepare for every step of his football career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a lot of learning opportunities, especially with playing defensive back in the CFL with all the different motions, formations and just how much bigger the field is,\u201d Slywka said about his first season at Toronto. \u201cI have had some success up to this point. We\u2019re looking to stack some momentum into the back end of the season. For me, I want to improve every week and take in all the coaching points. I just want to continue to grow as a player and that\u2019s something I\u2019ve taken in stride.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Ithaca, Slywka played defensive back. He finished with 119 total tackles while hauling in 11 interceptions and blocking four blocked kicks.<\/p>\n
After trying out at wide receiver with the Colts, Slywka is back playing defensive back with Toronto.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoy it. In my heart that is what I am after all my years playing that position at Ithaca,\u201d Slywka said about playing defensive back. \u201cI still enjoy playing receiver. It\u2019s still something that I think I was capable of but it was one of those things that my skill-set as a defender, playing in the back end as a safety, there are some rare things that I\u2019m capable of doing. There are some nuance things that you can\u2019t really teach necessarily by seeing things, having the anticipation to break on the ball. Those are the things that are my stronger points as a safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CFL schedule runs for 24 weeks, starting in June all the way to the Grey Cup, which will take place on Nov. 16.<\/p>\n
The Grey Cup is the CFL\u2019s \u201cSuper Bowl.\u201d In fact, it predates the Super Bowl by several decades, first being awarded 116 years ago in 1909.<\/p>\n
The Argonauts are 4-8 currently but have won two games in a row. Slywka has played in 10 of those 12 contests, totaling 41 tackles, one interception and two massive scoop-and-score fumble recovery touchdowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the stuff I learned at Ithaca, I\u2019m still applying to this day,\u201d Slywka said about his transition to professional football. \u201cPlaying defensive back, Ithaca prepared me a lot mentally for what it was going to take to play professionally. Obviously, you get a higher level of athleticism on the field and you\u2019re dealing with better quarterback play. It\u2019s been a tough transition but overall, it\u2019s been great.\u201d<\/p>\n