“There’s a kid for sure you’ll be seeing in the CFL. The Raiders have Jaiden Smith, Andrew Harris and Rickey Clarke, but at the end of the day, he (Rob Cote) has more CFL potential than any of those guys.”

In November 2006, Victoria Rebels head coach Paul Orazietti called it but Cote’s departure came sooner than he expected. In the same interview with the Times Colonist, he also anticipated Cote would be returning to join fellow Cochrane Cobras alumni Blaine Kruger and Nate Cote on the Victoria Rebels.

It never happened; Cote and the Calgary Stampeders had other plans. After a series of tryouts and a lucky break, he ended up on the field as a 20-year-old in 2007 and proved he belonged there for 11 years. 

Taking a step back, Cote's football career was nurtured here in Cochrane. He played one year stateside before his family returned to Alberta and it was here his athletic prowess was groomed, first with the Cochrane Lions peewees and bantam teams and then as a Cochrane Cobra.

Cote was one of the few grade 9 students to play for the Cochrane Cobras, says Rob McNabb, offensive coordinator (and co-head coach) and he recalls how he pegged him as a potential CFLer.

“When I saw the development in his play from grade 9 to grade 10, I remember saying, ‘I think this kid can make the CFL,’ and he did."

“He was a great player, simply fantastic.”

As a slotback, he was part of a talented receiving squad that helped the Cobras win three consecutive provincial championships from 2002-2004 (the Cobras went on to win fourth the year after Cote departed). It’s also around that time the Cobras truly became a consistent powerhouse in provincial high school play, something that continues to this day.

Throughout minor ball, Rob Cote says he played pretty much every position on the field. He says he started as a quarterback with the Cobras in grade 9 and gives a little chuckle when he explains how they quickly shifted him out of that position. Besides slotback, he was a linebacker for the Cobras, but in Victoria was exclusively a slotback and in two years accumulated 48 receiving touchdowns, a club record at that time. 

The Cobras still draw inspiration from Rob. A prominently displayed autograph #26 jersey has likely had an impact on the many talented players that have graced their dressing room since and serves as a constant reminder of the possibilities.

For the Cobras, he wore #25 and when it’s assigned to a player, McNab points out “Hey, you’ve got Rob Cote’s number.”

No pressure, right?

Rob’s dad, Cam, is a lifelong football enthusiast and after he hung up his cleats continued with the sport (and others) as a coach for both minor and high school ball and along the way coached both of his sons.

Looking back at the football chapter in his son's life, Cam takes pride.

"He's had a very good career and has had the good fortune of playing his entire career with his hometown club and not sustain any major injuries," says Cote. "We're proud of how he used his career to give back to the community. It's just been a dream come true for Rob."