By: Mat Smith – OttawaREDBLACKS.com
Photo: Scott Grant – Image Communications
They say families come in all shapes and sizes. Family is not always blood, but those who are there for you when you need them most.
Well, down on Bank St. there lives a family comprised of 68 brothers. A family that’s working together towards a common goal. Not to mention another 27 family members in the football operations and coaches offices down the hall from the locker room.
In less than two years together, with plenty of new faces in the mix, the REDBLACKS take the field with a sense of togetherness that seems strong beyond their years. The change is almost tangible; the playful sideline banter, the jokes, and a sense of confidence that was absent in 2014.
The key difference this season? Family.
Nine-year CFL veteran defensive back Jovon Johnson says this REDBLACKS team “ranks right up there” as the most cohesive group of which he’s been a member. “We’ve come together. We do things outside of football together. Guys are in constant communication with each other. You can just feel the family atmosphere forming. It’s a special thing.”
Now at 7-4 and second in the East Division, they’ve positioned themselves to make a run at a spot in the 103rd Grey Cup Playoffs. Their latest triumph came in the form of a thrilling 30-27 last-second win over a pesky Saskatchewan Roughriders team in front of a hostile Regina crowd. The result was a bit different than their last visit to Regina, a 35-32 heartbreaking overtime loss.
Moton Hopkins says the turnaround is a result of general manager Marcel Desjardins bringing in high-character guys. “I think (Marcel and his staff) have done an excellent job,” Hopkins says. “We’re from all different walks of life all over North America, but we’re the same type of people; we’re hard workers, we’re good people, and we want to play together and win together.”
According to Johnson and Hopkins, one key to success has been the off-field relationships developed by the team. “Oh man,” remarks Johnson, “we do all types of things together. We have barbeques at each other’s houses, we go go-karting, sight-seeing, and we even went canoeing together.”
The 28-year-old Hopkins, mature beyond his years, says “You can practice with somebody, but if you don’t truly hang out with them, you can’t fully trust someone to have your back.”
As each week passes, it’s becoming more and more evident that this REDBLACKS team is a true family – on the field, and off.
When asked to describe the team in one word, Jovon Johnson didn’t miss a beat. “Special”, he says with a wink and a sly grin.
Attitude Reflects Leadership
In week nine, Jeremiah Johnson was named the starting running back for the REDBLACKS. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. Johnson has taken it upon himself to lead the REDBLACKS not only on the field, but in the locker room as well. He has spearheaded every pre-game speech since being named the starter.
