The brilliant lights of the NFL appear far-off from Calgary, however for 2 younger soccer stars, lightning struck twice.
“Typically it’s a must to pinch your self. It would not really feel actual,” LA Chargers rookie defensive again Deane Leonard stated. “It is arduous to consider that although I come into this facility daily … it nonetheless would not really feel actual. It is like a dream come true for each of us.”
The opposite half of the ‘us’ is sophomore Chargers linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga.
Learn extra:
Offensive lineman Williams indicators contract extension with Calgary Stampeders
Learn subsequent:
Kanye West is reportedly marrying Yeezy designer Bianca Censori
The duo would not simply come from the identical metropolis.
They performed collectively at Notre Dame Excessive College in Calgary and gained an Alberta championship in 2014.
Now they’re doing the identical factor on the most important stage in soccer.
Leonard and Ogbongbemiga are getting the majority of their reps on the Chargers’ much-improved particular groups unit, a key a part of the membership’s return to the playoffs after a three-season absence.
Ogbongbemiga is aware of precisely how tough it’s to get thus far after a heartbreaking rookie marketing campaign.
“Final 12 months we got here up brief by a area aim in additional time,” Ogbongbemiga recalled. “So many individuals do not get to go to the playoffs of their profession and being within the dance is one thing you possibly can’t take with no consideration. I am glad we acquired in and I am glad we’re right here, and now it is simply at some point at a time.”
This time, the Chargers did not blink in a win-and-you’re-in Week 16 recreation.
LA noticed to their finish, suffocating the Indianapolis Colts 20-3, whereas losses to the Raiders, Jets and Patriots sealed a Chargers playoff spot.
Learn extra:
Damar Hamlin continues restoration, sends message to followers: ‘Maintain praying for me’
Learn subsequent:
Photographer stopped in her tracks with 15-foot-long python on Florida highway
By the top of the common season, Leonard had 4 solo tackles, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration in 17 video games, whereas Ogbongbemiga had six mixed tackles.
“It is sort of enterprise as typical,” Leonard added. “Clearly there’s extra to the sport and all that. However on the finish of the day, it is soccer.
“I do not wish to, I should not be too sturdy and say: ‘Oh my God, all eyes will likely be on us and all the things’. You go there and it should be one on one – you simply must beat the opposite man.”
Leonard’s cool, quiet demeanor is a trait that goes again to his highschool days in northeast Calgary.
However within the halls of Notre Dame, employees and college students are buzzing concerning the prospect of watching the alumnus compete within the wild card spherical.
Longtime Notre Dame Satisfaction head coach Dave Diluzio has seen practically a dozen of his gamers go professional over time — together with present Stampeders Colton Hunchak and Nick Statz — and continues to be struck by the sheer athleticism of each gamers .
Learn extra:
Former Calgary Dino is now a rookie with NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers
Learn subsequent:
Listed here are North America’s most punctual airways. No Canadian carriers made the checklist
“Amen I truly coached at a apply when he was a Bantam participant with the Hilltoppers and I simply keep in mind pondering how clean of an athlete, how briskly he was,” Diluzio recalled. “Deane was one of many uncommon gamers the place he performed senior soccer as a Grade 10 athlete.”
Their storied school careers and many alternative paths to the NFL have since develop into the stuff of legends for Satisfaction gamers.
Ogbongbemiga, 24, took his abilities to Oklahoma State College, the place he was named captain for his closing two seasons and was named a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy for Defensive Participant of the Yr.
Going undrafted within the 2021 NFL Draft was nothing greater than an impediment as he labored his technique to the Chargers as a free agent.
“All the things is simply loopy looking back,” Ogbongbemiga admitted. “Typically I give it some thought and I am simply so blessed, you realize?
“You see essentially the most gifted, essentially the most proficient folks, and it would not work out for them. So I simply attempt to hold my head down and hold engaged on my scenario.”
Leonard’s school exploits cemented his household’s legacy at McMahon Stadium.
Learn extra:
Alberta’s Chuba Hubbard says rookie NFL 12 months ‘a dream come true’
Learn subsequent:
Lisa Marie Presley: John Travolta, Baz Luhrmann mourn lack of singer-songwriter
The 23-year-old son of former Stampeders defensive again Kenton Leonard helped the College of Calgary Dinos to the 2019 Vanier Cup earlier than transferring to the College of Mississippi.
The Chargers chosen Leonard within the seventh spherical, 236th general, making him the primary Dino drafted to the NFL.
“I acquired some rumblings about him across the constructing, like, ‘What do you consider this man,'” smiled Ogbongbemiga. “I did not inform him something beforehand. However you realize, as quickly as I noticed his identify and as quickly as he was drafted, I referred to as him instantly.”
Satisfaction gamers and employees eagerly watched each photograph from their travels, particularly whereas highschool soccer was shut down on the peak of the pandemic.
On a Chargers bye week in October, the couple paid a shock go to to the varsity the place all of it started.
“(I) nonetheless really feel like the identical particular person I used to be after I went to highschool there. However after I return now, children wish to take photos with you and all that sort of stuff,” Leonard stated. “You by no means suppose you are going to be that particular person at some point, so it was fairly cool, it was somewhat bizarre and I am simply proud to be out of there.”
“As academics, we at all times see the potential,” Diluzio stated. “Amen and Dean, what they’ve proven me is something is feasible and desires can come true, and that is simply nice to see.
“Even when they weren’t soccer gamers at our faculty, in the event that they have been simply children in a classroom, they’d nonetheless be revered by their academics and their classmates for being simply such good folks.”
Leonard, Ogbongbemiga and the Chargers face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday at 6:15 pm within the NFL’s wild card spherical.
© 2023 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
