By: Stephen Johnson – OttawaREDBLACKS.com Staff
Photo: Scott Grant
Antoine Pruneau is enjoying a productive off-season. “I have been working out with a number of REDBLACKS players at Human 2.0 gym,” said the second year REDBLACKS linebacker. “I have been able to totally concentrate on the upcoming football season so that has been great.”
Pruneau has enlisted the help of Joey Kwasniewski, who also serves as a human performance coach with the REDBLACKS. “Coach Kwasniewski leads me through specific exercises and workouts that develop speed and strength,” said Pruneau. “I can say this has been the best off-season of training I have ever had.”
Even when he has some down-time, Pruneau is still thinking about football. “I watch video of games from this past season just to break down what I could have improved or need to work on to become a better player.”
Pruneau credits the tenacity of his father for helping to make him a professional athlete. “I played soccer as a young kid and my father would be at every game,” remembered Pruneau. “After the match, we would discuss what I needed to correct. It helped to develop the mentality of always trying to improve.”
Pruneau did not play football throughout his childhood. It was not until his final year of high school that he seriously got into the sport. After high school, he was a successful player at CEGEP (pre-university college in Quebec) and eventually at the University of Montreal. Pruneau was a standout player for the University of Montreal where he was noted for his versatility doing everything from returning kicks to playing different positions on defence.
His play was good enough that the REDBLACKS traded Kevin Glenn to the B.C. Lions for their fourth pick in the CIS draft. The REDBLACKS would then go on to pick Pruneau.
Similar to the first-year REDBLACKS, everything about the CFL was new to Pruneau. “The first day that I attended training camp, I knew that I would have to pick up my game in order to make the team.”
Even though the REDBLACKS did not have great on-field success in their first year, Pruneau enjoyed many personal and team milestones. “Being drafted was a great moment. I was with my family and got to share that with them. Also, being told that I would start was incredible. Some people in the past told me I was too small to play pro so it was awesome to prove them wrong. The most rewarding was being part of a great REDBLACKS team and organization.”
Since becoming the starting SAM linebacker for the REDBLACKS, Pruneau has flourished in the position. “The SAM is in-between a linebacker and defensive back,” said Pruneau. “I am responsible for helping to contain the outside run and often fall back in coverage. Thankfully, I do not face many of the three hundred pound linemen regularly!”
Pruneau’s play on the field has been recognized. He earned top Canadian for the month of October and was near the top of the CFL in tackles.
Beyond individual awards, Pruneau was involved in perhaps one of the funnier moments in recent league history. “When the CFL playing cards came out, my card had a photo of REDBLACKS receiver, Marcus Henry,” laughed Pruneau. “It was because I was wearing the same number in training camp as Henry used during the regular season. The guys ribbed me about that one.”
Pruneau is positive for the REDBLACKS upcoming season. “Last year, we were a really young team. It felt like we needed to learn how to win. I want us to make the playoffs this year and want the REDBLACKS secondary to be regarded as one of the best in the CFL. I can’t wait for football season to start again.“
