People here are so welcoming and supportive. Since I’ve been in Ottawa, everyone I’ve met so far has been so welcoming. It’s been nothing but fantastic, the love they’ve given me, and the encouragement. I just feel that fans don’t get any better than this. Being here is definitely a great experience. It makes you want to bring good to the city because everyone looks up to you, and everyone is supporting you and shouting your name. It makes you want to bring them joy. Whatever it takes to bring excitement to this city, we’re going to do it. Last year the team had a rough season, but the fans still came to support us at every game. Everyone on the team wants to give that back, and that’s why we’ve got to win football games and make our city proud. You have committed to giving back to the city in a variety of ways, including your charity work with Joe Mamma Cycles. Can you describe for us the Bike Fairy program, and how this initiative will help local children? I have been working with a few charities in Ottawa that help kids and the less fortunate. I enjoy this, because I believe everyone should have a chance. One charity in particular that touched me is Bike Fairies, which provides refurbished bicycles to children who might otherwise go without one. My friend Joe at Joe Mamma Cycles came to me with this idea, and brought me on board. Basically, people that have bikes they don’t use anymore can donate them to Joe Mamma’s and we will refurbish them and give them to kids and empower them. Kids need to have something to do, it doesn’t have to be a bike, but just going out and getting active is so important these days. Parents are often so busy at work trying to provide for their family, so there are ways that we as professional athletes can help the younger generation and teach them how to
lead a healthy lifestyle, and keep their minds and bodies active. My teammates and I work with kids during after-school programs. Young people need to know that education is the most important key to success. You seem to really enjoy interacting with your fans. You have thousands of followers on Twitter and Instagram, and after each home game last season, you spent a lot of time greeting REDBLACKS supporters in the stands. Describe this relationship that you have with your fans. If you have someone supporting you, you definitely want to give back and show them your appreciation. When you have someone looking up to you, and supporting you in the stands, they become your number one fan. I always want to say thank you, because you never know when you can empower someone. You seem to take great pride not only in performing well on the filed, but in looking your best off the field as well. How would you describe your personal style? I feel like anytime I’m doing something outside of football, or something business related, I always want to give the best possible impression by dressing professionally. You never know who’s watching or who may be looking, so I try to carry myself in a respectable way. I’m just a small-town kid living the dream. I’m trying to positively impact the younger generation and leave a legacy. Growing up I never had all these opportunities and never had all these things, so all this to me is Godgiven. Who ever thought that I’d be playing Canadian football? I see this is a blessing, and I just try to keep getting better each and every day. You can follow Chevon on Twitter @CDWALK_29 and on Instagram @chev_29.
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| June 2015