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Henoc Muamba

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Henoc Muamba
refer to caption
Muamba with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022
No. 10, 51
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1989-02-23) February 23, 1989 (age 35)
Kinshasa, Zaire
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Mississauga (ON) Father Michael
University:St. Francis Xavier
CFL draft:2011 / round: 1 / pick: 1
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:13
Total tackles:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career CFL statistics
Games played:135
Total tackles:592
Sacks:17.0
Forced fumbles:14
Interceptions:8
Stats at CFL.ca

Henoc Muamba (born February 23, 1989) is a Congolese-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He was a two-time CFL All-Star, three-time CFL Divisional All-Star, and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the second player in history to earn both awards. He was also a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

He was selected first overall by the Blue Bombers in the 2011 CFL Draft, becoming the first player from the St. Francis Xavier X-Men to be chosen first overall in the draft.

Professional career

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

In the Canadian Football League’s Amateur Scouting Bureau final rankings, he was ranked as the third-best player for players eligible in the 2011 CFL Draft, and first by players in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.[1] On May 6, 2011, a Winnipeg Blue Bombers source leaked the Blue Bombers' intentions to select Muamba with the first overall pick in the 2011 CFL Draft.[2] To no surprise, Muamba was indeed selected first overall by Winnipeg in the draft and was signed to his first professional contract on May 30, 2011.[3]

He played in his first professional game on August 26, 2011, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He played mostly on special teams in his first year in the league and scored his first touchdown on a blocked punt return which he brought back 52 yards for the score on September 30, 2011, against the Montreal Alouettes.[4] Muamba played in 11 regular season games in 2011 where he totalled 15 special teams tackles, one forced fumble, and one touchdown. He played in both post-season games, including his first Grey Cup appearance in the 2011 championship game, but the Blue Bombers lost to the BC Lions.

Muamba became a very significant part of the Bombers defence in 2012 as he recorded 65 tackles and three sacks while adding another 20 tackles on special teams. Muamba built upon the strong 2012 season he had with an even better 2013 season. He set a new career high with 106 defensive tackles (second most in the league), while also adding one quarterback sack and one interception.[5] His outstanding 2013 campaign was recognized by the Blue Bombers as he was unanimously voted as the team's Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Canadian.[6] He won the Lew Hayman Trophy as the East Division's Most Outstanding Canadian.[5] On February 5, 2014, Muamba was released by the Blue Bombers to pursue an NFL contract.[7]

Indianapolis Colts

On February 6, 2014, Muamba signed with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.[8] He played in 13 regular season games with the Colts and recorded three solo tackles and two assisted tackles. He was waived on September 5, 2015.[9]

Montreal Alouettes (first stint)

On September 30, 2015, Muamba signed with the Montreal Alouettes nearing the end of the 2015 CFL season.[10] Muamba played in four games for the Alouettes, contributing 14 tackles and one interception. On February 16, 2016, Muamba was released by the Alouettes to once again pursue his NFL interest.[11]

Dallas Cowboys

Muamba signed with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL on July 30, 2016.[12] He was released by the Cowboys on the final 53-man cut down day September 2, 2016.[13]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On October 5, 2016, Muamba and the Saskatchewan Roughriders agreed to terms on a contract bringing him back to the CFL for the third time. In a partial season with the Riders, Muamba contributed 18 tackles on defence, nine on specials teams, with two sacks and two forced fumbles. In his second season in Saskatchewan, Muamba played in 17 regular season games, amassing 82 defensive tackles, 11 tackles on special teams, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Muamba was released by the Riders at the start of free agency, to avoid paying him an offseason bonus of $35,000 Canadian.[14][15]

Montreal Alouettes (second stint)

On April 12, 2018, Muamba agreed to a three-year contract with the Alouettes with whom he had played during the 2015 CFL season.[16] Muamba earned a career high in tackles with 108, a career high in sacks with five, as well as one interception and one forced fumble. This standout season earned Muamba award nominations by the Alouettes for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, Defensive Player, and Canadian Player.[17] Muamba was also named to the CFL-East All-Star team.[18]

Muamba had another strong season in 2019 as he played in 17 regular season games and recorded 93 defensive tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles. He again received the team nomination for Most Outstanding Canadian and this time won the league award for the first time in his career.[19] He was also named a CFL All-Star for the second time in his career for the 2019 season.[20] The Alouettes also returned to the playoffs in 2019 after a four-year absence and Muamba played in two post-season games where he recorded a total of 15 defensive tackles.

Toronto Argonauts

On March 16, 2021, Muamba signed with the Toronto Argonauts.[21] In his first season in Toronto Muamba played in 10 games contributing with 49 tackles, two quarterbacks sacks and one interception. He re-signed with the Argos on January 25, 2022.[22] In his second season with the Argos Muamba played in 17 regular season games and recorded 75 defensive tackles, three quarterback sacks, two interceptions and one tackle on special teams. He won the 109th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, winning both the Grey Cup MVP and Most Valuable Canadian in the process.[23]

Following the 2022 season, in late January 2023, Muamba revealed he was considering retirement after 11 seasons of professional football.[24] With his playing future uncertain he became a free agent on February 14, 2023.[24] In the days following the start of free agency the Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said the team was in correspondence with Muamba about his future.[25] However, it was announced on February 21, 2023, that he had re-signed with the Argonauts.[26] Muamba missed the entire 2023 season due to injury. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 13, 2024.[27] He retired on February 26, 2024.[28]

Personal life

Muamba was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), but grew up in Mississauga, Ontario.[29] He played university football for St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and is the school's all-time leader in tackles, with 149.5.[30] His brother, Cauchy Muamba, is a defensive back who also plays professionally and played with Hénoc and the Alouettes in 2019. In 2023, he was nominated and was one of the recipients of the 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards.[31]

References

  1. ^ "CFL Prospects: April 2011 Rankings". Canadian Football League. April 5, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Bombers rolling out red carpet for Muamba". CityNews. May 6, 2011.
  3. ^ "Bombers sign first overall pick Muamba". Canadian Football League. May 30, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  4. ^ "Als hang on to beat Bombers". The Globe and Mail. September 30, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Henoc Muamba Most Outstanding Canadian CFL East Division". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. November 7, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "Blue Bombers linebacker Muamba secures three outstanding player nominations". CTV Winnipeg. October 30, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  7. ^ "Henoc Muamba released by Blue Bombers". CBC News. February 5, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "Report: Former Bomber Muamba signs with Colts". TSN.ca. February 6, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  9. ^ "Indianapolis Colts Make Roster Moves". blogs.colts.com. September 5, 2015. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  10. ^ Zurkowsky, Herb (September 30, 2015). "Alouettes bring linebacker Henoc Muamba into the fold". montrealgazette.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  11. ^ "Alouettes release linebacker Henoc Muamba". cfl.ca. February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  12. ^ "Canadian linebacker Henoc Muamba signs NFL deal with Cowboys - Sportsnet.ca". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  13. ^ Hodge, John (September 4, 2016). "CFL landing spots for the final NFL cuts". 3DownNation. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  14. ^ "Riders release LB Henoc Muamba". CFL.ca. February 14, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  15. ^ "With bonus looming, Riders release LB Henoc Muamba". 3DownNation. February 14, 2018.
  16. ^ "Linebacker Hénoc Muamba returns to the Alouettes - Montreal Alouettes". Montreal Alouettes. April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  17. ^ "CFL announces 2018 team award winners". Canadian Football League. October 31, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  18. ^ "Star Power: 2018 CFL Divisional All-Stars announced". Canadian Football League. November 7, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  19. ^ "Henoc Muamba named Most Outstanding Canadian". Montreal Alouettes. November 22, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  20. ^ "Stars Aligned: 2019 CFL All-Stars unveiled". Canadian Football League. November 27, 2019.
  21. ^ "HENOC MUAMBA ENDS HIS FREE AGENCY, SIGNS W/ ARGOS". Canadian Football League. March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  22. ^ TSN ca Staff (January 25, 2022). "Argonauts extend Canadian LB Muamba - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Spencer, Donna (November 21, 2022). "Argonauts linebacker Henoc Muamba named Grey Cup MVP, outstanding Canadian". CBC.ca. The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Ralph, Dan (January 23, 2023). "Veteran CFL linebacker Muamba still pondering his football future". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  25. ^ TSN ca Staff (February 16, 2023). "Toronto Argonauts remain in touch with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Henoc Muamba in free agency". TSN. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  26. ^ "Grey Cup Most Outstanding Player & Canadian Henoc Muamba is back in double blue". Toronto Argonauts. February 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "Official 2024 Free Agent Tracker". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "Former first overall pick, Grey Cup MVP Hénoc Muamba retires from CFL". 3DownNation. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  29. ^ "Bombers release NFL-bound Henoc Muamba". Mississauga.com. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  30. ^ "Indianapolis Colts sign LB-Henoc Muamba". Colts.com. February 6, 2014. Archived from the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  31. ^ "Canadas Top 25 Immigrants 2023".
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