Even though Montreal Alouettes defenseman Davis Alexander said trash-talking isn't one of his favorite things to do, he can respond and provide support when needed.
Alexander invited Winnipeg to come to Percival Molson Stadium. for the Eastern Semi-Finals after Willie Jefferson said he was playing like a villain, wanting to kick down the door and take everything off Montreal's table.
“If people want to start talking trash… there's mutual respect on the field. Willie is a Hall of Famer. We shook hands after the game; everything was good there. It was fun. They wanted to play hooligan, so we said we'll play hooligan,” Alexander said.
“I said they woke up the wrong team. Someone like me, I'm not going to back down, I don't care who it is, whoever it is. I know my team has my back, if they want me to play with that fire, that's how I'll play – as long as I can control it, that's the most important part.”
Alexander was able to control his emotions enough to complete 24 of 34 passes for a career-high 384 yards in one game with one touchdown and one interception. in a 42-33 win. He rushed three times for 32 yards, one of them big, including a key first down on second-and-5 with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter when he forced Bombers linebacker Kyrie Wilson to miss the hole for an 18-yard gain and help lead to victory in his first career CFL playoff start.
“I tried to stay calm as much as I could. I didn't want to guarantee anything that would result in a fine. [In Week 17 against] Calgary, coach [Jason] Maas actually yelled at me for the first time when I had an unsportsmanlike argument with him. [Clarence] Hicks. I told him it would never happen again and I would stand by it. I, as the team leader, shout to the guys that personal fouls and unsportsmanlike behavior are not allowed, I can’t do that either,” Alexander said.
“You don't want to ever get a penalty, and that's bad, but you want to play on the edge. That's what he's good at, playing on the edge. Can you control that? Yes, you can control that,” Maas said. “It takes a concerted effort to do that, I think he did that. I know he talked about the Calgary game. That's part of being a leader. You can't preach like that about being disciplined and not taking those penalties and then you do it yourself.”
The energetic 27-year-old didn't draw a single penalty flag as the Alouettes advanced to the East final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Alexander did not play in any games against Hamilton during the 2025 regular season, both losses as the franchise player was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The five-foot-11, 210-pound QB was asked if he would respond to any possible dirty talk from the Ticats.
“If they want to talk, I'll probably honestly try to stay away. If they want to talk, so be it. We'll be ready to play though. I'm not going to go overboard, but if they're going to talk, I'll talk a little bit too,” Alexander said.
“Be who you are. Be that emotional guy who's looking for a challenge, looking for things that motivate you,” Maas said. “I know this week when Winnipeg said what they said, it took him to another level. Great, if that's what motivates you and makes you better, use it. But he doesn't need any more motivation, I can assure you of that.”
Maas noted Alexander's competitive level unlike anyone he's ever been around. Montreal's hope for that attitude will lead the Alouettes to the Gray Cup in Winnipeg. Next up is winning the Eastern Finals when the Als take on the Tiger-Cats on Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm ET at Hamilton Stadium.
“In the most humble way, I feel like I was made for this: I was made for this league, I was made to be a fullback for the Montreal Alouettes,” Alexander said. “I feel like I was made for this, but the work will never stop.”
