The story of Steve Bolo Mboumoua is simply incredible.
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Coming to Quebec from his native Cameroon with his mother, brother and sister in 2016 at the age of 12, the defensive end, who just broke a glass ceiling by becoming the first Quebecer to play in the prestigious Alabama Crimson Tide program signed, never touched football in his life.
A big football fan, Mboumoua got into football as part of the Béliers program at Montignac Secondary School in Lac-Mégantic, an institution with almost 1,000 students. He also had to work harder on his special education studies, which he began in Quebec.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“Steve’s journey is a great story of perseverance,” says Béliers football program director and Montignac teacher Yannick Thibault. He worked hard to get back in the right direction.”
“He enrolled in the Professional Studies Diploma (DEP) to continue playing football alongside the adult courses and to continue Thibault, who has been involved with the Béliers for 32 years. He earned all of his credits by completing a sixth year of secondary school.”
Defining teachers on his path
At Mboumoua's big announcement, Thibault was obviously in attendance for the man he loves like a son, but also about ten coaches from the program, as well as about ten school stakeholders who have been closely involved in the young man's academic development.
“Without three teachers who were there when he arrived in 2016, Steve wouldn't be here today,” Thibault said, “and he wouldn't have played at CEGEP.” We are very proud of their success and these three ladies have a very big role played. It is a success and a source of school pride.”
Due to his imposing build (1.80 m and 80 kg in the 1st secondary) and his speed, Mboumoua was used as a ball carrier in his early days and quickly established himself. Thibault told him that he might be able to play professionally one day. The coach then thought about the CFL and not the NFL: “He really believed in me and made a big effort at every level. I saw from the beginning that he was an athlete because of his gait. He was an excellent soccer player and could have made the Quebec team. During an Aléo Foundation scholarship ceremony before an Alouettes game in Secondary 3, Steve told me he could take on the kickers.”
“It never happens in Quebec that someone signs with Alabama, but I'm not surprised that it was Steve who achieved the feat,” added Thibault, who did so last October at a game where Mboumoua was present 50th anniversary of the Béliers. If anyone could break down doors, it was him.”
A fulfilled mother
During the official visit on December 8, the mother was present in Tuscaloosa and thoroughly enjoyed her son's success. “I wish all parents to experience such intense moments,” said Jeanne Belinga. I did not sleep last night. It really reassured me how much attention to detail people in Alabama have and how important family is to them. Two young girls in particular looked after my baby while I was able to come over and ask any questions I wanted. We let Steve make the choice and didn’t try to influence him.”