For as big as he is, his heart is even bigger.
And Patrick Kabongo hopes home is still where the heart is after playing out the option year of his contract with the Eskimos this season.
"My hope is to re-sign here and be here," said the six-foot-seven, 315-pound offensive guard.
"They'll have a great team, so my thing right now is to come back."
Kabongo was part of a five-man offensive line that didn't miss a snap together all season long -- a feat quite uncommon in a game as physical as football and at a position along the line of scrimmage.
"I hope for everybody to be back, the entire line," Kabongo said. "We have a very good coaching staff, very good players."
Last off-season, Kabongo took a shot at earning a training camp spot on a handful of NFL clubs.
Whether that remains an option this time around is left to be seen.
"Right now, I'm just concerned about trying to be done with sobbing about the loss (Sunday), that's pretty much it," said Kabongo, who is known around the city as someone who puts smiles on people's faces -- especially the next generation of Eskimos fans .
His relentless devotion to community service earned Kabongo his second-straight David Boone team award.
"It meant a ton. It was great to receive it. They do a lot for us, so that's a little bit that I could have done," he said.
He is also nominated for the CFLPA's Tom Pate award, which will be handed out during Grey Cup Week to a player for his commitment to his team, the league and his community.
"Edmonton is like home here," said Kabongo, who was born in Zaire and moved to Montreal at age three.
"Hopefully, I'm going to do a lot (in the community) again.
"I'll be here training and getting ready."
