REDBLACKS Come Together From Far And Wide

True to its namesake nation, the Canadian Football League is comprised of incredible players, staff, and coaches from around the world.

A hallmark tenet of Canadian society is the strength that comes from diversity, and the CFL is no exception. Though the heart of the league is its Canadian core, largely produced through the nation’s university circuit, the CFL is comprised of players from south of the border, and across the globe, all of whom bring the talent that makes it one of the top professional sports leagues in North America.

With the Ottawa REDBLACKS hosting their “All In” game on July 21 vs the Montreal Alouettes, in celebration of the diversity that makes Canada, and the CFL great, let’s have a look at some of the players who have come from far and wide to make the REDBLACKS who they are.

PRAISE MARTIN-OGUIKE – DL

After enjoying a breakout rookie season in 2021, in which he finished tied for the REDBLACKS team lead with four sacks, Martin-Oguike has solidified a key role for himself on the Ottawa defensive line.

Born in Abia State, Nigeria, and raised in Isiala Mbano, Imo State, he is one of four children of Venerable Dr. Martin Oguike, and Dr. Ngozi Martin-Oguike, who are both acclaimed educators in the Igbo community. The Martin-Oguike family moved to Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, when Praise was 10 years old.

Playing his college career at Temple, Martin-Oguike recorded 124 tackles, 20 sacks, an interception, 12 forced fumbles, and an astonishing six blocked field goals over the course of his tenure.

Following NFL opportunities with the Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals, as well as a brief stint with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons, Martin-Oguike moved on to the REDBLACKS, where has since notched 31 tackles, and six sacks through 13 career games.

KENE ONYEKA – DL

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Onyeka moved to Brampton, Ontario with his family, at the age of nine.

It wouldn’t be long, however, before he was fully engrained within the Ottawa community, signing on to play his U Sports career with the Carleton Ravens. Onyeka took the country by storm at the collegiate level, earning First Team All-Canadian and OUA Lineman of the Year honours in 2017, and 2018.

Onyeka’s terrorization of opposing backfields saw him drafted in the fourth round, 29th overall, by the REDBLACKS in the 2018 CFL Draft, and officially joined the team after for the 2019 campaign.

To date, he has appeared in 22 games with the REDBLACKS, recording 29 total tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

KWAKU BOATENG – DL

Though an injury has Boateng staring down the barrel of a season lost to injury, the Ghanaian-born pass rusher has earned a reputation as one of the CFL’s most fearsome quarterback hunters.

Following a standout career with the Wilfird Laurier Golden Hawks, in which Boateng finished as the program’s all-time sack leader, he was drafted in the fifth round, 41st overall, but the Edmonton Elks in 2017.

Since then, he has gone on to post 83 tackles, 25 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 64 games.

TYRON VREDE – LB

Hailing from Amsterdam, Vrede joined the REDBLACKS by way of the Netherlands, having grown up playing flag football, with the standard tackle version only being allowed at age 17+.

Attempting the challenging climb to North American recognition, Vrede carried luggage at an airport, coached flag football, and even managed a gym to make ends meet, while playing for the Amsterdam Crusaders (AFBN Division One). While also earning call-ups to the Dutch junior national team, Vrede represented U-19 Team World in their matchup with Team USA, and subsequently enrolled at West Hills College Coalinga.

Following a freshman season at defensive back, Vrede transferred to Garden City, and earned a scholarship to the University of North Dakota, recording 33 tackles, four for a loss, and a sack in 12 games.

Vrede was selected in the second round, 10th overall, by the REDBLACKS in the 2021 CFL Global Draft, and has gone on to appear in 18 games, posting 16 total tackles.

DAN BASAMBOMBO – LB

It took Basambombo a little extra time to get his chance to play in the CFL, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo native made up for lost time, once he arrived.

Raised in Ottawa. Basambombo would go on to play for the Laval Rouge et Or; becoming a Vanier Cup champion, and posting a stat line of 31.5 tackles and two sacks during the 2018 season.

A third-round, 19th overall selection of the REDBLACKS in 2020, Basambombo’s first professional season was stolen away by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he finally emerged as a special teams contributor during the 2021 campaign and has recorded a tackle through nine career games, thus far.

JOSE MALTOS – K/P

Maltos was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and played his college football with the Autonomous University of Nuevo León.

After spending time with the New Orleans Saints, and BC Lions, he returned him to appear with the Fundidores Monterrey (LFA), before joining the REDBLACKS via the 2019 CFL-LFA Draft, as the second overall selection.

ANTHONY MAHOUNGOU – WR

Hailing from Paris, France, Mahoungou worked his way on to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, before playing for the Frankfurt Universe (GFL), and Frankfurt Galaxy (EFL).

Mahoungou was a first-round Global Draft pick of the REDBLACKS in 2021.

EDRIS JEAN-ALPHONSE – DB

A product of Bobigny, France, Jean-Alphonse starred with Laval, before dazzling at the 2022 CFL Global Combine. He recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.55), fastest short shuttle time (4.18), and placed fifth in the broad jump (9′ 11/12”).

Jean-Alphonse was selected by the REDBLACKS in the second round of the 2022 Global Draft.