Hénoc Muamba was a winner of the 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award

Editor: This report was first posted on Canadian Immigrant: https://canadianimmigrant.ca/

Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards

Hénoc Muamba

Football player
City: Toronto
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo

Canadian MVP

Hénoc Muamba preferred basketball to football as a kid growing up in Mississauga. Going from not loving the game to being named 2022’s Grey Cup Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Most Valuable Canadian — the second player to ever earn both awards — Muamba, born in Democratic Republic of Congo, has had quite the athletic journey.

“I didn’t even think I would be playing football at the next level. I played all kinds of sports as a kid. I played volleyball, basketball, soccer, you name it … but it really wasn’t until my high school basketball coach (who also coached football) came to me and said that I should try out football,” he said in an interview to Impactus.

Muamba began his professional career playing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, becoming the first player from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia to be chosen first overall in the draft. He later joined the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League, played with the Montreal Alouettes, and, in 2021, signed with the Toronto Argonauts.

In February 2023, Muamba re-signed with Toronto, although he was sidelined with a knee injury at the start of the season.

Crediting mentorship for much of his success on and off the field, Muamba is passionate about giving back through his mentorship program called Eagle Vision, and speaking engagements at schools, churches and prisons.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished way more than I ever thought I would, and a lot of that is attributed to the people who have mentored me over the years,” he told the Toronto Star. “And so I want to give back and be able to do the same for other people.”

In his podcast, Muamba Moments, the linebacker continues to inspire, highlighting the journey of inspirational achievers in sports and beyond.

The husband and father of three is also now focused on creating the Muamba Foundation, inspired by kids from the Congo who have reached out to him. He hopes he can help bring football, mentorships, hospitals and schools to his homeland.

Hénoc Muamba’s Top Tip:

“A good tip for newcomers would be to see what free community events and resources there are within the new location they’re living in. Using community centres and joining new recreational sports are a great way to get involved within the community. Resources such as libraries, events and local hot spots around the areas are great ways to immerse themselves within new cultures, create a bigger network and meet new people to create their own community.”