There are many of them on our team:
Martin Bédard, Philip Blake, Ryan Bomben, Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, Joe Burnett, Chip Cox, Dominique Ellis, TJ Graham, Ernest Jackson, Pat Lavoie, Stef Logan, Kristian Matte, Henoc Muamba, Jabar Westerman, Jamaal Westerman, Chris Williams, Drew Willy
Fathers.
Like many of us, they perform the delicate balancing act that is being a working parent.
Helmet on, cleats on – they run, throw, block, catch, tackle.
Helmet off, cleats off – they dry tears, cut baby nails, take care of daycare drop-offs and instill discipline.
Being a pro athlete is extremely time consuming. Each one of these guys has his own way of integrating their family life to their daily routine. Or, should we say, integrating their daily routine to their family life. Because if there’s one thing they all agree on, it’s that the latter is their number one priority.
“The focus changes when you have a child. It’s not just about my wife or me anymore. It’s about Thea, our little girl. It’s tiring, but at the end of the day, when I see my wife Jessica and my daughter on Facetime it gives me strength,” confessed Henoc Mumba who became a father shortly before getting signed as a free agent by the Alouettes.
The dedicated father hopped on a red-eye to Toronto right after the second preseason game to catch a glimpse of his girls before returning to work. Thankfully, Henoc’s family will be moving to our beautiful city in July. Less Facetime, more quality time.
Number 55 Jamaal Westerman is also shopping for a nest on the island for his wife Annie, daughter Ariel and newborn boy Jrue. We can only imagine the mix of emotions he went through during camp not knowing when exactly his wife would go into labour. “Working up to the day, we were a little nervous, but I was able to be there for the birth, said Jamaal. My wife was a total rock star, a baller, the number one pick.”
Often, what helps to maintain a balance is a supportive partner. Fullback Patrick Lavoie knows all about it as he and his criminologist girlfriend Angy share their son during the season. Starting soon, the two year-old will be in Montreal one week with daddy and in Québec City with mommy the next. Pat’s level of stress also went up during camp as his little one caught a virus that affected his leg (rest assured, the cutie is going well). “Everything turned out OK, but, inevitably, it was on my mind during the critical period that is training camp,” explained Pat.
Others, like most of the Americans on the list above, have to say goodbye to their kids as May rolls in since their families stay in their respective hometown all year-round. Chip Cox, who’s been doing this for 12 years-straight, tries to see his loved ones at least once a month in season.
Stef Logan, who has four of his own, says: “While there is always pressure on a parent who doesn’t see his offspring as often as one normally would, I know my kids understand that daddy has to work to take care of them.” And daddy’s job is more than just that, it’s a way of life.
For veteran Martin Bédard the season is when it’s easier to spend time with his son. “In the off-season, my schedule is a bit more unpredictable. In season, I know when I practice, when I have meetings, when I play, so Justin can stay with me a little more.”
And then there are guys, like the father of a blended family Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, who don’t even have time to give you a quote about their parenting life because they are in a rush to get to daycare after practice. We can’t blame him. That’s LBJ for ya… always playing his role to perfection.
Happy Father’s Day to you all! 💙❤️
