Big O Back Where He Belongs

Not 48 hours after the whirlwind of events that led him back to his rightful place in the football kingdom, you couldn’t wipe the signature grin off of Jovan Olafioye‘s face.

And although he was not in gear and just a mere spectator during both Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning practice session, it was as if the born-again loveable Lion never left.

“I’m glad they brought me back with open arms and I’m ready to get to work,” said the six-time CFL All-Star.

Olafioye will indeed be on the practice field Wednesday morning. And he freely admits had you told him just a couple of days ago he would once again stand in the Kamloops heat, he never would have believed it. The truth is, he was expecting late into the afternoon on Saturday to be starting his second camp with the Montreal Alouettes. Then the business of football got in the way.

“It was definitely a roller coaster because I did not expect to get released at all,” explained Olafioye.

“It was kind of last minute. I wasn’t expecting to re-structure my contract or get asked to take a pay cut. It didn’t work out, but I’m glad it afforded me the opportunity to come back here.”

A nagging back injury limited Olafioye to just 12 games in his lone season back east. It was the first time in his eight-year career where he didn’t suit up for every game in the regular season. Still, some observers believe his play didn’t drop off all that much and he will still be 30 years old when this season ends.

All of that indicates the big man still has some fuel left in the tank. Seeing some of his new teammates up front has given Olafioye all of the motivation he needs to prove he can still be an integral part of the unit.

“It’s definitely motivation. I have been watching Joel Figueroa for awhile and I know he’s a very good player,” said Olafioye.

“I was excited when you signed him because I knew Y’all needed that help. Chris Greaves is also a great football player. I played alongside him in Montreal for a couple of games. He’s hungry, he’s ready to work and he’s aggressive. I’m also excited to go up against Odell Willis every day, one of the premier pass rushers in this league. I’m glad to be able to talk trash with him every day.”

With Figeuora expected to shoulder most of the load at Jovan’s old spot at left tackle, this signing will provide security on both sides. At least if it plays out the way Wally Buono thinks it will.

“We’re very fortunate to get a guy of his caliber back. He’s going to play at right tackle, which I think gives us two very big, two very physical offensive linemen” says Buono on having Olafioye and Figueroa.

“The one thing Ed and I talked about was improving the line of scrimmage, not only for us but for the quarterback, the running back. The better we are up front there, the better we’re going to be.”

“I’m comfortable at any position, whether that’s the right side, left side or even guard. Anything they’ll ask me to do, I’ll play,” adds Olafioye.

The chance to be reunited with offensive line coach Dan Dorazio and join the Buono farewell tour also played a big part in Olafioye’s snap decision to come back to the west coast. The lineman was quoted as saying he would “run through a wall” for Buono when the CFL’s all-time wins leader announced he was returning to the sidelines prior to the 2016 season.

“That’s always great. Dan is the guy that made me the player I am today and I always praise him on that. I know he’s going to work me hard and I am going to give it all I’ve got. I still have plenty of football left in me and I am ready to get after it.”

“It would mean everything to send Wally out and a winning note. He brought me in, gave me a chance to play football and he believed in me. Wally always told me the player I could be if I worked hard and stayed focused. Why not send him off with a Grey Cup and another ring to add to his collection?”

Jovan Olafioye

And of course, now he can trade in the purple and blue merchandise for a new collection of orange for his fiancee’ Decambra and their two small children, four-year-old Dezyrah and seven-month-old Jovan Jr.

“We’re all excited to be home. It’s just a happy feeling.”

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com