He may now be tied with Jason Arakgi as the second-longest tenured BC Lion, but Rolly Lumbala wants to make one thing clear: He is definitely not the oldest guy on the roster “Let’s just make sure we tell people Ryan Phillips is the oldest guy on the team,” Lumbala said with a loud chuckle.
Although not quite accurate, newcomer Tim O’Neill is 36, Phillips, 33, is in fact the longest-tenured Lion. He signed following Seattle free agent camp in 2005 while Lumbala, along with Aragki, joined the organization three years later.
It was his impressive career at the University of Idaho that prompted Wally Buono to do some wheeling and dealing on draft day in 2008. “I remember we traded Hamilton Markeith Knowlton for the 9th overall pick,” Buono recalls. “Markeith was a good linebacker but we also thought Rolly was a great fit for us.”
Eight years later, the fullback/special teams ace is still hungrier than ever to compete and help his team win. Lumbala has not missed a game since 2010 and is motivated for a turnaround following a string of early playoff exits.
“Time flies. It’s truly a blessing to have lasted this long,” the fullback said. “Thinking back to the many battles and many great teams I have been a part of, I am just thankful to have won a Grey Cup in 2011 and to be able to continue chasing that trophy. It’s been awesome.”
It has been a long, rewarding path since his family moved to Montreal from Gabon in West Central Africa when he was five-years old.
Arriving in the hockey mad city that was on the verge of a 24th Stanley Cup in 1993, Lumbala admits football wasn’t on his radar from day one.
“All my friends did in the winter was play hockey, so I followed suit. Mario Lemiuex was originally from a suburb close to where we were so I became a big Penguins fan. Summertime, it was baseball and watching the Expos at Olympic Stadium,” Lumbala recalls.
It was only after his older brother joined a newly formed community football team when Rolly discovered his true calling.
“He came home from practice with these big shoulder pads and helmet. He looked like Darth Vader,” the younger Lumbala said.
“When I went to his practice it was the most intense, awesome and high energy stuff I had ever seen in my life. Kids were doing push-ups and jumping jacks. I felt because I was the fastest guy on the field I could do what my brother was doing.”
Lumbala knew trading in his skates for football cleats was a no brainer. After his family migrated west to Calgary before he started high school, Lumbala took an immediate liking to then-Stampeders head coach Wally Buono and the run of excellence he had built with the franchise. That made the excitement even greater after the draft day trade was completed in 2008.
“My agent told me I would likely be going elsewhere, so the Lions didn’t enter my mind until it actually happened. I knew the chance to play for Wally was going to be awesome after seeing him in Calgary and how dominant they had been for all those years.”
Since first donning orange, Lumbala has appeared in 135 regular season games, 11 more in the playoffs, including four division finals and the 2011 Grey Cup where he won his first ring.
Five years later, one of the factors that keeps Lumbala motivated is the chance to mentor and teach young players, just as he received good veteran leadership himself as a rookie.
For Buono to be able to rely on some of the veterans to perform those duties is a major asset. “It doesn’t matter what role you ask of him, he doesn’t complain,” Buono said. “He’s well prepared. Whether it’s covering the kick or being the back end of the punt block, it doesn’t always have to be the glamour position. He’s turned into a good leader on the team because not everybody can accept their role when it’s not a major one. The way he carries himself is good for the club.”
“I’m extremely excited to have Wally back coaching. I know he’s going to demand even more from us now the second time around. Well be ready for that, ” Lumbala said.
As for life after football, along with running successful boot camp company Lumbala Strong, the 
fullback has harboured thoughts about becoming a teacher or continuing to help youth. His interest in giving back was heightened after taking part in the CFPLA Huddle for Haiti Project following the 2010 earthquake that damaged roughly 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings.
“We went for about ten days to help rebuild and donated a lot of clothes and school supplies,” Lumbala said. “To be out there taking bucket showers and being aware of the wealth of riches we have here compared to some people was humbling. To see how happy they were with so little was such a great lesson.”
Multiple roles and the impact Lumbala has made on others off the field certainly help his cause as being one of the organization’s all-time unsung heroes.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com