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April 12, 2022

Q&A with Elie Bouka

He’s back in red.

Elie Bouka is wearing Calgary colours for the first time since he played for the University of Calgary Dinos in 2014.

Aside from a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, Bouka has been wearing green from 2017-2021 as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Philadelphia Eagles.

After eight years he finds himself back in McMahon.

Stamps Associate Digital Producer Makayla Berze chatted with Bouka to find out more about one of the newest Stamps.

BERZE: I talked to DJ Lalama this morning and he mentioned you guys playing together before, can you tell me a bit about that connection?

BOUKA: We played against each other in college and played together in (the U Sports) East-West (bowl). We respected each other and definitely got a lot closer in during East-West, we were on the same team. Our values just aligned and you know he’s a hard worker, he’s a great leader and I think he saw that in me as well and we just clicked. Since then, we’ve been friends and we have a great relationship.

BERZE: What’s it like being back in this city, and when you think of Calgary what are the first few things that come to mind are?

BOUKA: That’s a good question. For me, Calgary is where a lot of growth happened for me. The word that comes to my mind when you talk about Calgary is experience. I got here when I think I was 18 or 19 and a lot of growth happened here. It became my home. When I think about Calgary and drive around the city there are so many memories that shaped who I am today. I’ve been involved in so many different areas and so many different industries and this city shaped who I am today. So yeah, again I’d say the word that comes to mind is experience for sure.

BERZE: The combine wrapped up and the draft is right around the corner. What would you say is the biggest adjustment going from USPORTS to the CFL?

BOUKA: I think the biggest thing is understanding the game mentally. I think there’s going to be a big adjustment for a lot of the guys understanding the game and being able to process things at a high level. Next would be the confidence level. A lot of times when you come from USPORTS you get a little nervous and you have to have some swagger, believe in yourself and take it with stride. That’s the biggest obstacle. Not only processing the game mentally but also coming in there with confidence. It’s a little bit of a fear factor but just trusting yourself is the biggest thing.

BERZE: I believe I read that you initially started out as a receiver and then moved to defensive back in university. From my general sense, there’s a shift in reading the routes and the quarterback and having to anticipate what is going to happen every play, but could you maybe walk me through that transition from a more seasoned perspective and maybe talk about how playing receiver first helped you play DB?

BOUKA: Recognizing concepts and recognizing what the receiver is going to do and understanding spacing. Once you understand what needs to be done on the other side of the ball, it allows you to put yourself in a better position to compete. And thinking back, athleticism is good but when you can play with your mind at the same time it makes you a better football player. I think it definitely allowed me to be a little smarter when I play.

BERZE: You have a business here correct? Could you tell me more about it, from the initial stages to now, what it entails?

BOUKA: Yeah, strength and conditioning is always something that has impacted my life. Me being a late developer, I was spending a lot of time training. Later in life I always knew that I wanted to be involved in some capacity in sports and development so before Covid I knew I wanted to find something of that nature. The opportunity kind of came to me, I got approached to run a strength and conditioning business and got my own location as well. Just working with various athletes from hockey, football and lacrosse, those are the sports that I work with the most right now from 10 years old all the way to 23 or 24 years old. I’ve been doing this for a few years now in this city which is also why I consider Calgary home, my home base now, and that’s where I want to continue helping this community grow.

BERZE: Now for some more light-hearted questions that I’ve been asking everyone to get a sense of your personality. First is, what show are you binge-watching right now?

BOUKA: Oh! If you asked me a month ago it would be different. The show I’m watching right now is called Top Boy. It’s a show out of the UK, I don’t know if you’ve heard about it.

BERZE: No, I haven’t heard about it. Want to tell me about it?

BOUKA: I don’t know if it’s something people want to hear but it’s more of a gangster or gang show out of the UK. Um yeah, so I don’t know if you want to watch that but you could say that I like Ozark. Ozark is a show I like a lot too.

BERZE: Jordan Williams-Lambert said Ozark as well.

BOUKA: Yeah, it’s a great show!

BERZE: If you could choose 3 emojis to describe you, what would they be?

BOUKA: Oh I’ve got to look at my phone. This is probably the hardest question you asked me. Let me see, the sideways laughing emoji, the emoji with the steam coming out of the nose, and the ninja emoji with the cap and a knife in the back.

BERZE: If you could be any superhero, who would it be and why?

BOUKA: That’s a difficult question. I would say Batman. Obviously because of all the technology he has access to but I like how classy he is and I think that’s a little more like my personality and I like to present myself well. Everything from his cars to the way he dresses when he’s not in uniform is why I think Batman would represent me more (than another superhero).

BERZE: What’s your go-to song right now?

BOUKA: Aw man I wish I knew these questions before (laughs). My favourite song at the moment is “Freestyle” by Lil Baby. That’s my go-to song right now that I could listen to everyday non-stop and I’ve been doing that for a long time.

BERZE: Who is someone that inspires you or what inspires you most?

BOUKA: What inspires me most is my family. There’s not a particular person but I’d say my entire family because coming from a second generation family and seeing what we’ve had to overcome as a family through the years and what we’ve achieved collectively inspires me to do more. What my parents and siblings have achieved inspires me, they impact me the most.

BERZE: Is there something I didn’t ask that you’d like to talk about or something you want to tell the fans?

BOUKA: I want the fans to know I’m a community guy. I love to be involved in the community. I want to make an impact and I’ve done that for every team that I’ve played for so if there’s any needs in this city that I’m not aware of or if anybody has any ideas for me just let me know because I’d be more than happy to be involved.