Q and A with Nevada Olineman and projected CFL first rounder John Bender


CFC exclusive interview with Nevada Olineman John Bender. Bender is a projected first round CFL pick this year. He played High School football in Cochrane Alberta.

1) For those Canadians who do not already know, talk a little bit about how you got to where you are right now.

I got recruited to play football at the University of Nevada out of high school, they didn’t have enough scholarships at the time so they delayed my enrollment and I came to Nevada in January 2006. Since then I have been in Reno, Nevada going to school as well as training and practicing for football. I only go back to Canada twice a year, for 2 weeks each time at the end of the fall and the end of the spring semester. Then I report back to the University of Nevada and begin training for the next season.

2) What is the best thing about playing NCAA Football? What is the most challenging thing?
The best thing about playing NCAA football is the opportunity is has presented me with. I have been able to get an education, I graduate with a dual major in Marketing and Management in December and I have been able to put myself in a position to play football beyond college as well from being here. The most challenging thing is playing on the road in these enormous stadiums. I’m used to it now and have grown accustomed to it and actually enjoy it a lot. But at first it was an eye opening experience to play in front of 80,000 fans that are yelling and screaming as loud as they can to try to disrupt our offense.

3) How do you feel about being drafted in the CFL a year before you are finished school and year before you are eligible to be drafted in the NFL?
It made me think a lot, I had to go over the pros and cons of leaving school early and possibly entering the NFL draft. The projections I was hearing was I was going to get picked in the NFL draft this season 4[SUP]th[/SUP] round or later, potentially even going undrafted. Had I gone undrafted I could have always just gone to which ever CFL team drafts me in May and play for them, but at the end of the day I have worked too hard on my education and wasn’t content leaving school early without a diploma in my hand. Everyone told me I could always go back and finish my degree then, but I have established relationships at University that are great with my teammates and I have some unfinished business to take care of here as well. I have yet to win a Bowl game, and we have yet to knock off Boise St and win a WAC championship. These are two goals I wanted to accomplish, along with graduating before I left University.

4) What is your biggest individual goal for 2010 season? Team goal?
My biggest goal is to be the best player and teammate that I can be for my team. Both on the field and off the field, the post season accolades are nice and it’d be great to be an All WAC or even an All America player, but most importantly I am looking to win as many games as possible with my teammates. Team goals as I went over before are WAC championship, and bowl win. Coach Ault always talks about every players goal should be to walk across the stage to get their diploma with a ring on their finger, I hope to accomplish that goal.

5)
What is something that people should know about you?
I’m like most football players, the person you see on the field doesn’t show you the type of person I am off the field. On the field I’ve always been told that coaches love my nastiness, I’ll hit people, you don’t have to tell me twice to play physical. I’m loud, I yell and scream all the time, I like to celebrate scoring touchdowns with my teammates. Off the field, I’m quiet, especially with people I don’t know. I shy away from the spotlight as often as possible, I’m not a big fan of these interviews, and although I go out with the guys a lot and make sure we stick together so nobody gets into trouble. I’d just as much prefer to stay home and play xbox with some friends. I’m the king of NHL 2010 around here, in case you were wondering…haha.

6) What advice do you have to young football players in Canada?
Take as much advice from as many people as you can. Especially people who have good advice. I started football very late compared to other people, I played my grade 11 and grade 12 seasons and then moved on to college. Be coachable, work hard and remember that you can always work harder. Don’t let little slip ups hold you back either. I was cut from the high school all star team in Alberta, I didn’t make the “south” squad. But at the same time every University coach that was there got my information and called me after. I could have taken the easy way out, said I’m no good, and quit, then focused on another sport. But I knew I had the potential and loved football, and wouldn’t let what one coach thought of my playing ability hold me back.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply