It’s a new year and we’ve got plenty of new faces on the roster.
With that in mind, let’s get to know the members of the 2019 Stampeders team.
Next up: Ivan McLennan
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 247 lb
Birthdate: 06/29/1993
Born: Hawthorne, CA
School: Washington State
When did you start playing football?
I started playing football in my freshman year of high school. I used to be a skateboarder, but randomly, my neighbor asked me to come to football practice because he didn’t want to walk home by himself after. Years later, I’ve never missed a football practice.
What is your favourite thing about the game of football?
My favourtite thing about the game of football is probably the unity you have with your teammates. But also the games, it’s sort of like a rapper or a rock star when they have a concert, that’s how we feel as players with the games. You get all of the emotion going, the adrenaline pumping – I love the games.
What is your favourite drill and why?
My favourite drill has got to be this 45 drill on the goal post with coach Mace. I like that drill a lot because I feel like it helps you with your pass rush. It helps with your hands and your angles, so I like that a lot.
Who has been you biggest football mentor?
Honestly, that’s a hard one. I’ve had so many ‘big bros’ – that’s what I call them, guys that I looked up to and played with – from my high school, to my junior college, at Washington State and even with the Falcons. At each stage of my career I’ve always had guys two or three years older than me that I just to as an example. Now it’s Cordarro Law.
What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a football field?
Last year I was playing a football game with the BC Lions and a fan ran onto the field. One of our players just ran up and destroyed the fan and I’ve never seen anything like that. That fan was running around and one of our defensive backs just blew him up. That was probably the funniest thing I’ve seen on the football field.
If you could have been there for one event in history, what would it be?
It would be the 200 NBA Finals in Staples center, whenever we closed it out. ‘We’ being the Los Angeles Lakers. I was in LA, I was pretty young and I went to Crenshaw St. to see the aftermath of the win, but to be in the gym to see Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal win their first one would have been amazing.
If you could have lunch with any three people – dead or alive – who would you pick?
Oh, the first one would be Nipsey Hussle. The second would be my grandma. My mom’s mom, rest in peace. And finally, Malcolm X.
If you won $10 million, what would be your first purchase?
The first thing I’m doing is getting myself and my mom a house. Real estate is the way to go, people. I’d probably buy a house in Palos Verdes, California. That’s my dream spot, it’s beautiful out there.