It has been a long time since offensive lineman Peter Godber played so close to home.
Born in Toronto, he made frequent trips to Arnprior, just outside Ottawa, to see family. In 2013, he moved to Houston and enrolled at Rice University, one of the top postsecondary institutions in the United States. There, he became a regular starter, eventually switching his jersey number to 73 in 2016 as part of the Owls’ Honor Jersey program to honour Ray Alborn.
Ahead of the 2018 CFL Draft, the six-foot-four, 300-pounder garnered serious attention despite being unable to compete in the combine due to illness. He recalls his father being excited about the possibility of playing closer to home, citing the one-third chance he would come back to Ontario, but with the third overall pick, the B.C. Lions called Godber’s name, sending him to the only CFL city further from Toronto than Houston.
In 2023, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, moving a little nearer to home, but this season, he’ll be closer than he’s ever been, signing with the Ottawa REDBLACKS. The added bonus, of course, is that his father lives just two hours away.
“Ottawa felt like home to me,” Godber explained. “I had a chance to talk to Coach Dyce and Coach Gibson, and it really made me feel at home. Every year when we played against Ottawa, it was a tough football team with a lot of grit, and they were very hard workers. I want to be a part of that.”
It’ll be the first time Godber lines up alongside any of the members of the REDBLACKS’ offensive line. Furthermore, it’s the first time working with Dru Brown, one of his key connections going forward, thanks to the importance of communication between the centre and quarterback.
“I’ve talked to some of the linemen already, and I’ve chatted with Dru,” Godber said. “We’re getting to know each other, and I’m really excited to build these relationships and get to work together this year.”
Godber’s play on the football field speaks for itself, it’s why the REDBLACKS were keen to have him anchor the middle of the offensive line, but away from the facility, he’s the kind of person you want on your side.
During his career, Godber has been a pillar in the community, never shying away from speaking at events, visiting hospitals, or doing anything he can to improve someone’s day. In 2023, Rob Vanstone wrote a story on riderville.com detailing an afternoon when a fan approached Godber, his girlfriend and their golden doodle, Sunday at the dog park. The fan asked Godber to speak to a youth flag football team.
Without any preparation, he happily agreed, even coming back the next weekend to speak to the other team. It wasn’t a chore, he loved it. That was before he ever played a down for the Riders. That motivation continued the whole time he was there.
“I was very happy with the things I was able to accomplish off the field in there,” he said. “I love to stay in whatever city I’m in and go around to schools and give presentations and help out in hospitals and do whatever. For me, it’s definitely a part of the job and using this platform for really good things.”
That mindset, of course, isn’t going to change now that he’s in the nation’s capital, with Godber issuing a commitment to be just as involved as he ever had, if not more.
“I’d love to be involved in Ottawa,” he said. “I’ve reached out to the people in the organization that have control of these community programs, and I want to get involved immediately. It means a whole lot to feel connected to the city and give back.”
A champion away from the game, Godber is hoping to call himself a Grey Cup winner this November. It’s something he believes to be tangible in Ottawa, but he’s hoping to have the fan base on board right from the start.
“This could be an unforgettable season, and we would love to have all the support we can coming out and support us,” Godber said. “We’re gonna work hard for this. Now that I’m on the team and I’m playing for these fans, it’s exciting because of the crowd noise and the atmosphere. It’s just a cool place to play and I’m fired up for it.”
