His Calgary Stampeders' coaches like to say he's unique, a rare athlete with a set of inimitable skills. They aren't telling the half of it.
Robert (The Hammer) McCune is more than just a powerhouse 236-pound defender with neck muscles that could scare off wild animals. He is a former Washington Redskin, Miami Dolphin and Baltimore Raven, an experienced pro. He's also a sprinter, power lifter, body builder, fitness trainer and a guy who drove fuel trucks for the U.S. Army in South Korea, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
And Saturday night against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, McCune is expected to pad his uniqueness by appearing in his first CFL game at 31 and playing two, maybe three roles - rush end, linebacker, special teams, whatever's needed.
Stampeders' defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones is looking forward to seeing how The Hammer does.
"Robert has a unique set of physical capabilities," Jones said. "All the coaches he's been around say he's well prepared, a real solid citizen. We were hoping to see him play earlier but he got nicked [with an injury]in training camp. It'll be interesting to watch him [Saturday night]"
To get an idea just how physically imposing McCune is, call up his website:
The man could put someone's eye out just flexing a bicep. McCune said his workouts are more than about honing his body; they're a means to maintain his discipline, and the son of a career Army man is all about discipline.
Raised in a military household, McCune followed his father George into the service because they agreed the Army was the best way for The Hammer to have his university education paid for. McCune's goal was to train while overseas, then apply to a university and show up at football practice one day as a walk-on recruit.
To make it happen, McCune lifted weights, ran track and never strayed from his dream of playing NCAA football. He also found himself stationed in South Korea at 18. He stayed there for a year, then was dispatched to Kuwait and on to Afghanistan.
"I was a petrol specialist," McCune said. "I drove the big fuel tucks. We'd fill up aircraft, Humvees, tanks. We had to support those units. It was physical work with those hoses."
Asked if he was ever worried about being attacked or running over a land mine, McCune replied: "In the military, everyone has a certain job to do. Before we'd go out, guys would check and secure the area for us. You always have to be alert and you always have to trust the other guys doing their jobs. … Kind of like football."
When McCune left the service after four years, he went to the University of Louisville, showed up at football practice and earned a spot as a walk-on. His hard hits chopped his lifelong nickname Hammerhead down to The Hammer. Eventually he was drafted by Washington and, after being released by the Cleveland Browns last summer, McCune figured his time in football was done. To maintain his discipline, he began a fitness business in Atlanta, and even trained former Louisville teammate Malik Jackson, currently a Stampeder linebacker.
Now McCune gets his chance to show what he can do as a CFL rookie.
"He's fast and physical and that's what we want," said Jones, who had tried to get McCune to Calgary last year. (McCune stayed home to assist his father, who was ill and has since recovered.) "We're going to use him in a bunch of spots to take advantage of his skills and energy."
The Stampeders have been respectable on defence through their first three games, allowing just 63 points, but they're hoping to put better pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Canadian defensive lineman Mike Labinjo has been in and out of the starting unit, as has import DeVone Claybrooks, both due to their ineffectiveness. For McCune, who lost weeks of preparation when he suffered a back injury in training camp, the time has come to show if his rare blend of experience and power can inflict any damage against a team as well-schooled as the Riders.
"I wasn't told I'd be playing but I was preparing all week," McCune said. "It's a great opportunity to show what I can do and I want to make plays."
His way, the hard way.