Family and football intertwined for Riders’ Nelson Lokombo

Family and football have gone hand in hand for Nelson Lokombo.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back’s older brother, Boseko Lokombo, is a seven-year CFL veteran who was named the league’s most outstanding Canadian in 2021 while playing with the B.C. Lions.

“It’s cool having somebody I can talk to about football and help me out and learn a lot about the game (and) about being a professional,” Nelson said. “It’s nice seeing him play and now him being able to watch me play is really cool too.

“I’m sure my mom is really proud and my dad as well. I’m glad that I get to represent family along with them.

“You learn a lot, just how to carry yourself as a player, as a professional, how to go about working in the off-season, how to watch film and prepare for games and stuff like that.”

While Bo has carved out a great career on the field — including getting looks from the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers in 2017 — Nelson is just taking the first steps in his own professional career.

He’s to start his third straight game for the Riders in the 2022 season Thursday during a showdown in Montreal against the Alouettes. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 3 p.m.

The journey to the pro ranks on the gridiron started early for Lokombo, watching Bo and another brother — Boloy, who played at Minnesota-Duluth — play the sport.

“We just watched football. Watching my brothers play and wanting to be in their position growing up and being motivated to be like them, it’s been cool. My whole life has been just football — playing and watching it and just learning as much as I can,” Lokombo said.

While Lokombo grew up in Abbotsford, B.C., he wanted to create his own path in life, which eventually led to him leaving the province to play football at the University of Saskatchewan.

“I grew up in B.C. and I kind of wanted to leave and learn how to live on my own, so I thought the U of S was perfect,” he said. “The coaches there, they really helped me develop as a player and as a person as well. They helped me just learn how to play ball and carry myself as a professional as well. It was really nice and a good experience to be out there.

“The fan engagement is always huge in Saskatchewan, even at the university level. In Saskatoon, they don’t have a professional team out there and everyone comes out to support the Huskies.”

While Lokombo was there, the coaching staff elected to use his natural talents and moved him from field corner to halfback.

“A lot of work in the off-season went into that. Coaches wanted to get me more involved in games as a halfback, getting me in blitzes and all that. Having to play the waggle was one of the biggest things,” Lokombo said of the receivers’ pre-snap movement.

“It helped me overall with my perception and figuring out how to play different positions and learning how to play different spots at different times in games. It was good and really helped shape me.”

He recorded 115 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 30 games with the Huskies. Lokombo received the Presidents’ Trophy as the top defensive player in U Sports football following the 2019 season.

But he was unable to follow up the great campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the 2020 season.

“There was a lot that went into it. It was an unfortunate thing for everyone; everyone had different things they went through. That year was tough mentally and there was a lot going on. I tried playing down south, I talked to a few teams down south but they didn’t end up playing,” Lokombo said.

But it did give him an opportunity to reconnect with Bo as both stayed in shape for whenever football returned in Canada.

“He took me under his wing. He was going through it too with not having a season in the CFL so we were just training together, learning and doing different things together,” Lokombo said.

In 2021, Lokombo was ready to make the jump to the pros in the CFL draft. He didn’t have to wait long, with the Riders taking him with the second overall pick that year.

“Going into it, I wasn’t sure where I was going to land. The family was there and I had everyone come to watch. It was cool to get that call from Saskatchewan and know that I’m playing professional ball in the same province as (I played) university in was awesome,” Lokombo said.

But disaster struck as he prepared for his first pro season; Lokombo was one of four players who suffered a torn Achilles the day before training camp began.

“I just took one bad step behind me and it just went. I knew instantly — it was loud and it sounded like a gunshot,” Lokombo said. “I was able to stay here with the team, learn a little bit about the game, our system, and do rehab with the other guys who also tore their Achilles.

“Mentally it was a lot and we were all going through it and talking about it. I learned a lot about myself during that time.”

After a lengthy rehab process, Lokombo returned to the field in 2022, earning a starting spot on the Riders’ defence.

And it means a lot for him to get back to the sport he loves.

“I’m just really happy I was able to get back from it. Finally being able to play, I’m really grateful. I’m really proud and really happy I’m here right now,” Lokombo said.