‘I have to pinch myself sometimes’: Von Muehldorfer enjoying Stampeders rookie camp to the max

Rookie camp continued Thursday for the Calgary Stampeders, and for one player who was born and raised here, attending the camp is something very special.

Max von Muehldorfer was born and raised in Calgary and grew up a huge fan of the Calgary Stampeders.

That’s why it was so special when the Stamps called his name in this year’s CFL draft.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes,” said the product of St. Mary’s High School.

“When I first got my locker, I took a hard look at it and was like, this is coming true—I’m playing for the Calgary Stampeders, which is an amazing experience.”

Cherishing number 75

Von Muehldorfer was drafted in the seventh round, 61st overall, by the Stampeders.

The defensive lineman was drafted out of Western University in Ontario.

For rookie camp only, he’s wearing jersey number 75.

That just happens to be Stu Laird’s number, which is retired.

Von Muehldorfer says that’s not lost on him.

“He played here, was a hall-of-famer and went on to become the fire chief here,” said the 22-year-old.

“It’s something full circle and funny enough, I saw him on the day of the draft at lunch. I said to him it’s my draft day today and he willed me good luck and it kind of came full circle.”

Loves football

Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson calls von Muehldorfer a football-first kind of guy.

“I feel like he will enhance any team,” said Dickenson.

“He’s got a tough road and he knows it. He’s got to come in and now go against guys that are just as big and just as strong as him. So now use your hands and use your movement, but he’s ready to compete.”

Powerful force

The gridiron isn’t the only place where von Muehldorfer excels.

He’s also one of the best young weightlifters in Canada.

He’s a four-time junior national champ and he won gold at the Junior Pan Am Games in Colombia.

Von Muehldorfer also showed off his strength at the CFL combine, where he won the bench press competition.

He says he’s hoping the strength will lead to big things in the CFL.

“The powerlifting definitely helped with my development of strength and agility and it’s carried on to here,” said the defensive lineman.

“I haven’t competed in a while, but I still train and use some of the principles that I’ve learned, but now it’s definitely focused on being the best football player that I can be.”

Rookie camp wraps up on Friday.

The veterans take to the field on Sunday at Shouldice Park.