Isaac Owusu
Ticats.ca
Simoni Lawrence backs up his bite on the field with his bark.
The charismatic linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats has been a visible and outspoken leader for the defence throughout the first week-and-a-half of training camp.
When his helmet is on his voice is heard, and when it’s off, his smile is seen.
“I’m pretty focused on the football field. It may not look like that from the way I’m always screaming and yelling, but I’m always focused when it comes to football,” he said.
Fans at practices can identify the six-foot-one, 228-pound product of the University of Minnesota from his ability to find himself near or in the action as often as possible.
“I take it very seriously. I’m one of those players that wants to be very, very good, and I know that to be good I have to study, listen to the coaches, and be around as a good teammate,” he added.
Another way to spot Lawrence is through sound, with his high pitch “Aye! Aye!” tag which he seemingly makes before, during and after every play.
“During games I play the same way. I don’t like my opponents that I play against,” Lawrence said sporting his trademark smile.
“I put myself in that mind frame and I say whatever.
Off the field we can be united, but on the field they’re trying to take my job away from me, and I don’t like that,” he said with a laugh.
Ticats linebackers coach Jeff Reinebold, known himself for his hearty personality, is happy to have Lawrence back in the unit, and understands his appeal.
“He has a magnetic personality, people are drawn to him and his teammates are drawn to him. I actually nickname him ‘CNN’, because he’s non-stop talk. He’s 24-7 always talking,” he joked.
“I love him because he’s got such a love for life and such a passion for living. People think that’s just the way he is on the football field. He’s one of those rare guys that finds joy in everything that he does,” he added.
Now back in TigerTown, expectations of Lawrence are not just for himself, but his influence with his new-old teammates.
“He has to take more of a leadership role… that’s something that comes naturally to Simoni,” Reinebold said.
“He’s an extremely talented, athletic player. As he learns the little subtle nuances of playing linebacker in this defence I think he’s on pace to have a tremendous year,” he added.
