Montreal Alouettes linebacker Henoc Muamba still learning in eighth pro season
TORONTO — Henoc Muamba has emerged as one of the CFL’s top defensive players, but he didn’t always enjoy the physical nature of football.
In fact early on, the Montreal Alouettes star linebacker went to great lengths to avoid contact. Muamba’s first love was basketball and when he took up football in Grade 10 in Mississauga, Ont., as a running back he actively steered clear of getting hit to save himself for the hardwood.
“I hated the contact ironically enough,” Muamba said in an interview during Montreal’s bye week. “I had some success my first year because I ran in fear trying not to get hit.
“But the more I played, the more I started to love the game. It was challenging the first year I picked it up and remains that way today. Embracing challenge teaches you many lessons about life and gives you the right attitude for life as well.”