Montreal Gazette

ALOUETTES’ UNAMBA HAPPY FOR ANOTHER CHANCE AT CFL

- HERB ZURKOWSKY hzurkowsky@postmedia.com twitter.com/HerbZurkow­sky1

LENNOXVILL­E There likely are few steps lower on the ladder than the Indoor Football League, where players earn $250 per game — win or lose, how’s that for incentive — but have their housing and meals provided.

It’s where Donald Unamba, a defensive-back at training camp with the Alouettes, found himself last winter, specifical­ly with the Salt Lake franchise. But were it not for that stint, combined with a little assistance from Southern Arkansas alumnus Nik Lewis, it’s unlikely Unamba would be one of the 75 players at Bishop’s University.

“I got into a situation where I didn’t play football (in 2016). I still wanted to show people I could play and I was still active and keep myself on the radar. That was the only football going on at the time. I never thought I’d play arena ball,” Unamba said following Friday afternoon’s lone workout.

“It’s not my favourite football. That was a rough patch, I’m not going to lie. I had to do it to get back here, and it got me a shot. It’s a story I can tell one day — how far I did come. That’s a testimony to where I’ve been.

“It was the lowest point. It really was,” added Unamba, a 28-year-old native of Arlington, Tex.

Unamba, 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Released by the Rams, he signed with the Buffalo Bills, but failed to stick there either. So he came north to the Canadian Football League, signing with Winnipeg in 2014.

He dressed for all 18 games that season, including three starts, acquitting himself well. Unamba had 23 defensive tackles and led the Blue Bombers on special teams, with 22 tackles. He had one intercepti­on and, during an August victory against the Als, recovered a blocked punt early in the third quarter for a touchdown, changing the game’s momentum.

He was the Bombers’ nominee as outstandin­g rookie. But the organizati­on changed defensive co-ordinators, going from Gary Etcheverry to Richie Hall following a 7-11 record, and Unamba was released.

“I guess I just didn’t fit into what (Hall) was doing. I guess they wanted to bring in their guys and I didn’t fit in,” Unamba said, shrugging. “I let the front office decide that. I’m just a player.

“To this day I do really kind of think sometimes what did happen. It doesn’t make sense. Some things that go on in the front office, you never really have answers for it. Why they do certain things and make certain decisions.”

Unamba signed with Saskatchew­an in August 2015, dressing for 11 games. He had 19 defensive tackles and 11 more on special teams while forcing a fumble. But the Roughrider­s went 3-15, brought in Chris Jones to lead the organizati­on, and Unamba was again seeking employment.

He sat out 2016 before deciding his only option was playing indoor football in a hockey rink for peanuts. With few options, he placed a call to fellow Mulerider Lewis who, in turn, contacted general manager Kavis Reed. Eventually, a three-way telephone conversati­on was initiated.

“I paid attention when he was at Southern Arkansas. He did well. I’ve always tried to give him advice. He reached out to me and said he was tired of arena football,” Lewis said. “I think he’s pretty good. He’s different. He can move laterally. He can run. He can do a lot of things when you put him in at the boundary. He’s smart and knows the game. With his mentality and attitude ... to watch his highlight in arena, something he’s never done. Then he goes out and gets something like six (intercepti­ons) in four weeks. He learned that game quick.”

Unamba has been one of the defensive standouts through six days of Als camp. He said he has intercepte­d three passes, but it seems like more. He was running with the third stringers last Sunday, but has been promoted to the second team. He has played both boundary and field cornerback, along with weakside defensive-back. The fact Unamba also plays on special teams will serve him well in his quest for a roster spot.

“Don is an individual that has played in multiple positions. He’s extremely smart and technicall­y sound,” Reed said. “I don’t know this for sure, but I think his talent is so broad it was hard to find a specific role for him.”

Reed, then the special teams co-ordinator, was particular­ly impressed by Unamba in the final game of the 2015 season when the Riders and Als, both eliminated from playoff contention, met at Molson Stadium.

“I saw this imposing defensive back, and he’s having a phenomenal game in a meaningles­s game for both clubs,” Reed remembered. “I said I wouldn’t mind working with that young man. I got into training camp, surveyed our defensive-back situation, and felt we needed someone like him.” Notes: The Als have a scrimmage scheduled Saturday afternoon at Coulter Field. Warmups begin at 3 . ... Three players who are unlikely to participat­e are receivers Samuel Giguère and Alex Charette and defensive-back Ryan Phillips. All are sidelined with hamstring injuries. The players have a rare camp day off Sunday before resuming workouts on Monday. The Als open their exhibition schedule Thursday night at Toronto.

 ?? JOHN MAHONEY ?? Defensive back Donald Unamba Jr., left, stops receiver T.J. Graham during Alouettes training camp at Bishop’s University in Lennoxvill­e earlier this week.
JOHN MAHONEY Defensive back Donald Unamba Jr., left, stops receiver T.J. Graham during Alouettes training camp at Bishop’s University in Lennoxvill­e earlier this week.
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