Brothers Alain and Fernand Kashama are both attending their first training camps with the Stampeders. Alain wears No. 97 and is a defensive lineman who has spent CFL time with Montreal and Hamilton. Fernand wears No. 34 and is playing at fullback for Calgary after being used as a tight end and a defensive end in college. The brothers sat down together for an interview with Stampeders.com.

Stampeders.com: So we’ve been in camp for quite a while now, have the two of you butted heads yet during practice or scrimmage?

Alain: No, not really. I play inside now and it would be more likely for us to get together if I was playing on the end. I don’t want to go against him anyway. I’ve got to take it easy on him. If I ever did get a chance to hit him, I would take it easy a little bit.

Fernand: There was maybe one time where we had an inside run and we kind of met up on the inside, but other than that we haven’t gone up against each other. And I know that personally, I would not take it easy on him.

Stampeders.com: Fernand, do you believe Alain when he says he would take it easy on you if he ever did get a chance to hit you?

Fernand: I really don’t think so. This is competition. This is football. You just react by instinct no matter who it is across from you. I don’t think you even have time to know who’s plaing in the backfield. He’s going to play hard.

Stampeders.com: OK, so much for that. Now comes the real important stuff — who’s the better looking between the two of you?

Fernand: I say me.

Alain: Come on, man. I know your eyes are better than that. You’re tripping, man. What you see here with my face is pure beauty.

Fernand: I don’t even have to do much talking about it, the proof is right there. My looks do the speaking for me.

Stampeders.com: Who was the better student in school?

Fernand: Again, I say me.

Alain: Yeah, I’d have to agree with that. I’m not too much of an institution guy. Let’s just put it like that.

Stampeders.com: Who got into more trouble as a kid?

Fernand: I’d say we each got our fair share, you know? We were different generations (there’s a five-year age difference between the brothers) so it’s kind of hard to compare. I really don’t know but like I said, we each got in our fair share. That’s just part of growing up.

Alain: Yeah, I’d have to agree. I do know I’m not the choirboy of the house. I’m a nice guy, but I got into some mischief.

Stampeders.com: Many times, brothers mistakenly get called by a different brother’s name. Even by family members. With yourselves and your other brothers Hakeem and Bronley, did that happen a lot to you guys?

Alain: I’m always getting called “Fernand.” Even Coach Huff has done it.

Fernand: Yeah, and he calls me “Alain” all the time. Sometimes I think he’s doing it purposely but I can’t tell anymore. Sometimes he’s laughing when he’s saying it and so I think he’s joking. But other times it seems like he’s being serious and then when I tell him, “No, no — it’s Fernand.” He says, “Ah, sorry.” But I really can’t tell anymore if people are doing it on purpose or not.

Stampeders.com: Ever any confusion within the family?

Fernand: No, not really. Not withing the immediate family, but our cousins and aunties and uncles? Yeah, they get us mixed up. Especially the ones we haven’t seen in a while.

Stampeders.com: OK, a serious question now — what does each of you admire most about the other?

Fernand: I would say his love for the game. The drive for the game and the passion for the sport.

Alain: Wow, I’ve never thought about that but I would say the fact that he’s still willing to push himself and do it. A lot of people just don’t have the will or determination after a while. A lot of people are afraid to fail and so they quit. But not Fernand, and that’s something I admire about him.

Stampeders.com: One more question. You had said going into camp that this was an experience to which you were looking forward. Has the reality lived up to the expectations?

Alain: Oh yeah, this has been a pretty good camp. A real good camp.

Fernand: It’s definitely been an interesting experience and I’m having fun with it.