To say the least, defensive back Redha Kramdi’s first professional season was fraught with adversity.
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If it ended in the best possible way with a Gray Cup conquest with his teammates from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the 24-year-old’s start to the campaign was marked by tragedy.
After two weeks of training camp, Kramdi was forced to return to Montreal due to the death of his older brother. Shaken, the product of the Carabins of the University of Montreal then wanted to console himself with what he loves most in the world: football.
Life had other nasty surprises in store for him, however, as injuries to his thigh and both ankles kept him off the pitch for a long time.
“It wasn’t easy after my brother passed away,” Kramdi said on the phone. Football has always been my place of peace. I came back to Winnipeg to play soccer and find my inner peace. Being injured, it was very difficult to do that. ”
“Honestly, I have been through the most difficult times of my life. However, I was entitled to the support of my friends, my family, my teammates and my coaches. I am very grateful for this. ”
A championship that feels good
Back in the saddle for the end of the regular season and the playoffs, Kramdi contributed to the Blue Bombers’ crown on special teams.
“It’s a little light in my life, after everything that’s happened,” he said with emotion.
“It feels good to win a first championship. Whether in high school, CEGEP or university, I had never had the chance to win. To know the happiness of victory, especially this year, it does me a lot of good. “
“I was not able to play at the level that I wanted. But I’m still proud of myself! I was resilient, I lowered my head and kept moving forward. ”
In addition to the pitfalls, the second-round pick (16th overall) of the Blue Bombers in the 2021 draft had to adjust to the level of the Canadian Football League.
“Obviously my role was different than with the Carabins, where I was a starter from my first year. When you change level, you start again at the bottom of the scale. I took my role on special teams to heart and I improved during the season, ”said Kramdi, who intends to continue his progression in 2022.