He may be a new addition, but Mike Edem is no stranger to the species on his helmet. “I was born right by Lions,” he declared. We aren’t sure if the free safety is kidding or not. Edem grew up in Lagos, Nigeria before his family moved to Brampton, Ontario when he was 14. Like many other Nigerian kids, Edem excelled in soccer and harboured thoughts of becoming a pro.
“Growing up we had a little black and white TV and when Nigeria was playing in the World Cup or even qualifying games, we would watch unbothered,” said Edem. “We idolized guys like Jay-Jay Ococha and played soccer barefoot on concrete with a tennis ball. You become a really skilful athlete that way.”
After migrating some 9,500 kilometres across the Atlantic Ocean, Edem quickly learned the version of football where you can strap on pads and hit people was the one he was destined for. “I was getting too many red cards,” said Edem. “Eventually my coach told me football might be a good idea instead of soccer.”
Boy, was he right. Edem, the third overall pick by Montreal in 2013, has turned heads in his first Lions camp as he battles with incumbent Eric Fraser in the secondary. Both players insist it’s welcome competition. “He was a starter last year in this system so that is a great person to be able to talk to about the free safety position and how we are supposed to play,” said Edem.
A combination of the personnel and his relationship with a couple of current Lions’ coaches was what prompted the former Calgary Dinos standout to choose BC on the opening day of free agency. “Chris Tormey was with me in Montreal last year and then I was with Marcello Simmons when I got traded to Hamilton,” added Edem. “That helps a lot. I met Coach Washington before the combine and have always liked the scheme he’s run here.”
Even a six-year veteran like Fraser is thrilled to have some new perspective and perhaps a little insight at the position as camp rolls on into its second week at Hillside Stadium. You can also say having both a Nigerian and a homegrown product from the lower mainland battling for the same spot is a great CFL story in itself.
“It’s not even competing, it’s us working together,” said the former Burnaby Central Wildcat. “Whoever starts from day one isn’t a concern right now. We’re both just putting our work in, helping each other study, make sure we know our playbook and make sure we’re both at our best. It’s a long season so whoever is starting the other will get an opportunity to play big minutes at some point.”
Fraser has certainly looked motivated by Edem’s solid play. The former Stampeders and REDBLACKS safety was one of the more productive defensive players on day six Friday with a couple of big hits to break up completions and a deflected interception return for a touchdown.
“You see a guy make a play and you want to go do it yourself,” added Fraser. “The biggest thing is to stay within the system and do your own thing. It’s cliché but iron sharpens iron. That’s what this camp is all about. Guys pushing one another at every position.” Fraser, a commercial pilot in training, was taking flying lessons in Calgary when the Lions came calling last July. The kid, who grew up idolizing Carl Kidd and Barron Simpson, is now living a childhood dream.
For Edem, perhaps being shown too many red cards on the soccer pitch was merely a sign of things to come. “I’m high energy from the first whistle to the last. You will see me talking and hitting. I love bringing that physical contact back there. I am a hard worker.”
A Burnaby boy who bled orange and a Nigerian who was born by Lions: Sounds like the middle of the secondary is in good hands.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com