The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) on the April 29th weekend at Tim Horton’s Field in Hamilton. In the days leading up to the OPC, CFC will preview the teams and the players participating in the big event.
Team Central Grade 7s have a resident “jack-of-all-trades” on their team and their versatile weapon, Nehemiah Forde-Bowen, will sure to have a positive impact on the team.
“I wanted to try out for the Ontario Prospect Challenge because it gave me the opportunity to play with other great players that are on other teams and I get to show my tackling skills,” Forde-Bowen said.
Forde-Bowen, who played at TD Place in last year’s OPC, said his greatest highlight is knowing that he was picked to play out of all the other players that tried out at the three sessions.
The 5’8, 200lbs defensive end/linebacker currently plays for the Metro Toronto Wildcats (Ontario Varsity Football League). He can also play as a running back and has had experience both kicking and punting.
“When I’m on the field, I turn on my beast mode and start tackling and sacking the quarterback,” he said.
When asked about his football inspirations, Forde-Bowen separated it indo defensive and offensive players. On the defensive side of football, he looks up to JJ Watt of the Houston Texans and Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks. On the offensive, he likes former Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch.
A collection of photos of Nehemiah Forde-Bowen . Courtesy of Donna and Daniel Forde-Bowen.
While his football inspirations are mainly from the NFL, Forde-Bowen said he is really excited to playing on another CFL field. “I hope my family and friends can come and watch me play,” he said.
“I pray and ask God to protect me,” he added. “I will also not focus on any negative things around me and focus on me playing the best that I can, so I won’t get nervous.”
Forde-Bowen will be graduating in 2021 and he said he would like to play for Ohio State or Louisiana State University in the NCAA. In the CIS, he said he is considering McGill or Upper Canada College.
“My personal goals are to get into the best high school and university or college so I that I can get a good education and be recruited by scouts,” he said. “If I can’t be a football player, I want to become a police officer.”
The young football player has some high expectations for himself. “I want to be the best defensive player. I would like to break and set the highest record for the most tackles and sacs in the league,” Forde-Bowen said.
“I want to learn how to continue to tackle safely and improve on my skills,” he added. “I want to learn how to train hard and learn different skill so that I can be the best player I can be.”
Forde-Bowen hopes he can continue to be a positive team captain with his Wildcats team and he wants to help them make the playoffs and win a championship. As for his OPC team? He said, “I want my teammates to have fun and play safe.”
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