New Redblack has Obama to thank for his nickname
When they call you The President, there's got to be something special about you, right?
Like, seriously, The President? It always involves some laughs when Don Unamba, now with the Ottawa Redblacks, tells the story about how he got tagged with the nickname back in 2018 when he was with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Jerry Glanville was the defensive co-ordinator.
The story has been told, but it's a new time, a new place and here we go again.
In training camp, Glanville was struggling to remember some of the players' names. Unamba was making plays and Glanville would ask who it was. Explained Unamba: “I'd make another play, he'd ask again, `Who made that play?' The other coach would say, `That was Unamba.' Eventually (Glanville) started botching my name, he was calling me Obama. We'd be on the field, I'd make a play and he'd say, `There's Obama.' Eventually from Obama, it went to him calling me The President. It was a thing that kind of stuck.”
Fast forward to 2021, Redblacks training camp. Unamba, The President, says he feels good. He's excited to be in camp with the Redblacks, the sixth CFL team he's played for since signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2014. He's also suited up for Saskatchewan, Montreal and Edmonton and has proven he's a very good strongside linebacker.
With the Redblacks, the 32-yearold wears a uniform with the number zero. It'll be the first time a Redblack has worn that number — Rico Murray asked for it back in 2018, but was turned down. A machine operator and welder, Unamba also coached in the Fan Controlled Football League while the pandemic wiped out the 2020 CFL season.
Said Unamba: “You're trying to find different things out about yourself, you're trying to make a living. I thought about not playing football; it was hard not knowing if we were going to have a season. I had decisions to make, but you only get so many years to play football. It would have been tough to walk away.”
Asked about the Redblacks' defence, Unamba said: “We're fast, ferocious and athletic up front. The linebacker corps has some hitters, guys that get to the ball. We have a good mix of vets and young guys in the back end, they're hungry for the football.”