Muamba's journey from the Congo to pro football
By BILL LANKHOF, QMI Agency
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TORONTO - Henoc Muamba likes to think he’s blessed; Named after a biblical personality who it is said walked with God into eternity from a troubled earth.
Muamba also walked from a troubled world into a future filled with optimism, even glory.
Muamba is expected to be among the top picks at the CFL draft in May after an outstanding career at St. Francis Xavier that culminated this year when he was selected Canada’s outstanding defensive player.
“Its blurry. I don’t remember a lot about the Congo other than I was born there and that it wasn’t ... a safe feeling. When we left I was only about seven. The whole family moved. It wasn’t very stable, the politics was troubled and my parents just decided we’d have a better future in Canada.”
Little Henoch has grown into a 6-foot, 230 pound wall of granite at linebacker. At yesterday’s CFL evaluation camp he was fourth in the (225 pound) bench press with 25 reps.
“It’s worked out not too bad. I’m here at this E-Camp with all these amazing athletes. God has blessed me with a lot of talent; now I have to work hard to use it.”
He’s lived in Montreal, grew up in Mississauga (parents Louise and Germain still live there), went to university in the Maritimes and has a brother in Vancouver. So, he isn’t picky about where he ends up draft day.
“Myself, I wouldn’t mind the west coast because I’ve never been there and I’d like to see it,” he said.
Then he laughs — “But, I don’t know, my mother wants me closer to home, so she’s hoping for the Argonauts or Hamilton.”
