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June 27, 2016

Q & A with Christian Covington

As he prepares to embark on his second NFL training camp with the Houston Texans, Christian Covington spent Monday afternoon hanging around the BC Lions practice facility. The defensive lineman and Vancouver College alum was drafted by his hometown Lions in the fifth round ( 43rd overall) of the 2015 draft. Covington was selected by the Texans in round six earlier that year. He recorded two sacks and eight solo tackles in his first pro season, helping Houston win the AFC South on the final week of the regular season. The son of former CFL all-star Grover Covington also attended the Lions come from behind victory over Calgary on Saturday night. Matt Baker from BCLions.com sat down with the Texans nose tackle to get his thoughts on pro football and growing up 30 minutes from the Leos offices.

Baker: As someone who grew up here and played at Vancouver College, how exciting was it to hear the Lions call your name on draft day?

Covington: It was surreal to me because I was thinking there was the possibility of being drafted by the Ticats because of who my dad was. To hear that BC drafted me was something special because they were my hometown team and I used to come to the games as a kid all the time. It was special because of the fact it was my hometown team. The way football careers pan out you never know. If it’s in my path that my football career lands me back up in Canada eventually, to know that I would be coming to an organization like this is truly a blessing.

Baker: Who were some of your favourite Lions growing up?IMG_1062

Covington: Defensively speaking I loved watching Brent Johnson and Cameron Wake. When I was a kid I was on the field early in a game, right by the goal line and I remember he (Wake) got a strip sack and ran it straight into the end zone. I was just like “Oh God.” That was unbelievable. Watching Casey Printers and Dave Dickenson and all those guys was great back in the day.

Baker: You witnessed in person the Lions thrilling victory to start the season. How impressed were you?

Covington: It was good to be able to make a comeback like that. That was something real special. It was great to be able to witness a game full of excitement and energy at the end. That was great.

Baker: What else have you taken from the time spent at Lions headquarters the past couple of days?

Covington: I’m just enjoying everything that comes from being here. It’s my first time back home in a year so to be able to be around my family, I can’t ask for anything better than that.

Baker: You have one year with the Texans under your belt. What was that experience like?

Covington: It was a learning experience to say the least. It’s great to be able to have that under my belt now. I took away a lot of things from playing the game itself and learning from the veterans and other guys that I had on my team. It was great to be able to take in as much information and wisdom from the guys Im surrounded by on a daily basis. It’s great to be able to build on the foundation and continue to make strides going into my second year.

Baker: One of those veterans is none other than JJ Watt, one of the game’s best all-around players. What’s it like playing with him?

Covington: JJ is unlike any athlete I have ever met. A true pro, has a true love and passion for the game, and truly humble and thankful for what he does. Awesome player, awesome teammate, awesome person on and off the field.

Baker: You guys won the AFC South. How did it feel to beat out Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts to make the playoffs?

Covington: It was exciting to be part of something like that. To be able to bring excitement to the fans around Houston was something special. We want to be able to build on it as well.

Baker: And what a year to be able to build on it. Houston will host Super Bowl LI. How much extra pressure does that bring?

Covington: To know that it ( the Super Bowl) will literally be played in your home building adds a little something to your thought process heading into the season but you don’t want to think too far ahead. You want to focus on the games and practices at hand, but it’s obviously always going to be in the back of our minds

Baker: You also played your college ball in Houston at Rice. Describe just how big football is in the State of Texas.

11005993Covington: Texas football is something else. Growing up Vancouver you never really knew what American football was like. We travelled during high school to play against Washington State teams, but as soon as Friday Night Lights came out that really just gave you a picture to what Texas football is all about. All of a sudden, after I picked Rice, it
kind of dawned on me the week before I was headed out there that I was going to play some Texas football right now. It’s unlike anything else. From the high school level, to the college level, to the pro level football is taken very seriously down there.

Baker: Let’s bring it back full circle. Talk about the influence your Dad has had on your career.

Covington: I’ve had him as my coach since day one. He’s always had my back as my father and my mentor and also a defensive line coach.  To have a guy of his calibre to be able to learn from him at the young age that I did helped me tremendously with my game. He’s still in my ear to this day so I love to take all the wisdom I can from him.

Grover was a four-time CFL all-star after spending most of his 12-year career with the Ticats. He helped Hamilton win the 1986 Grey Cup over Edmonton at BC Place. The younger Covington and his Houston Texans will try to make history in the 2016 season as no team has ever played in the Super Bowl at its own Stadium. The big game takes place February 5th, 2017 at NRG Stadium.

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com