It91裸聊视频檚 a Hall of Fame career that would never have occurred without some persistence by Solomon Elimimian.

On Wednesday, the 2023 Canadian Football Hall of Fame class was named and the former B.C. Lions linebacker was part of a group of inductees that includes former Lions standout cornerback Larry Crawford and current defensive line coach John Bowman, who had a tremendous 14-year career with Montreal.

For Elimimian, it91裸聊视频檚 a crowning achievement to an exemplary career in a Lions uniform that included a Grey Cup championship in 2011 as well as winning the Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2010, the Most Outstanding Player Award in 2014 and the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2014 and 2016.

And it almost never happened.

After finishing his playing career at the University of Hawaii, Elimimian was signed as a free agent by the Buffalo Bills in 2008 but was subsequently cut in the pre-season.

He went back to Los Angeles and was living at home with his family when his brother Abe 91裸聊视频� currently an assistant coach at Hawaii whom Elimimian lists as his biggest influence - told him about the Lions holding a tryout camp in L.A.

The workout was conducted by then Lions General Manager and Head Coach Wally Buono.

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think he was too sold on me. He told me you have a little bit here but we might want someone who is little bit faster and a little bit bigger. I just kept bugging him. I told him if you give me the opportunity, you won91裸聊视频檛 regret it. To this day, he tells me what I told him that day,91裸聊视频� recalled Elimimian.

Elimimian91裸聊视频檚 tenacity led to another workout in Las Vegas and eventually a contract.

91裸聊视频淚 think it was more like a pity contract so that I would stop bugging them. It was like here91裸聊视频檚 a contract - come to training camp,91裸聊视频� chuckled Elimimian.

As a rookie attending training camp in Kamloops in 2010, Elimimian had a moment that had players and coaches alike take notice.

The team was running what91裸聊视频檚 called the inside drill 91裸聊视频� which focuses on the run game between the tackles with no receivers or defensive backs involved. The drill is known for its physicality, and on this day, it was Elimimian who made a loud statement with a takedown of running back Jerome Messam.

Messam was a load at 691裸聊视频�391裸聊视频� and 255 pounds but he was levelled by the much smaller Elimimian, whose listed playing size was 691裸聊视频�091裸聊视频� and 225 pounds.

91裸聊视频淚 literally picked Jerome up and sent him backwards. In the film session that day, Wally plays the film and says 91裸聊视频榞uys I don91裸聊视频檛 know who this player is but that91裸聊视频檚 the type of physicality we need.91裸聊视频� That moment put me on the radar so to speak,91裸聊视频� noted Elimimian.

Although he was making waves with his play, Elimimian suffered a setback when he was sidelined with a hamstring injury which almost resulted in him being cut.

91裸聊视频淲ally comes into the training room 91裸聊视频� I91裸聊视频檓 right next to the trainer (Bill Reichelt) but he doesn91裸聊视频檛 look at me 91裸聊视频� he says 91裸聊视频楬ey Billy, tell Solomon if he doesn91裸聊视频檛 play this game, he91裸聊视频檚 going home.91裸聊视频� Then he walks out of the room. I looked at Billy and said 91裸聊视频渨ell I guess I have to play in this game.91裸聊视频�

Elimimian played the pre-season game at 50% but showed enough to make the team.

A month into the season, he took over as the starting middle linebacker and never looked back, winning the CFL91裸聊视频檚 Most Outstanding Rookie that year.

91裸聊视频淚t was probably the most important year in my career. It91裸聊视频檚 one of those moments that you know there91裸聊视频檚 nothing else for you. I didn91裸聊视频檛 want to do anything else. The moment that changed my life was when I got up on that stage and won the Rookie of the Year. It felt like a weight had been lifted,91裸聊视频� explained Elimimian.

Because of his size, Elimimian always had his doubters 91裸聊视频� including Buono -but all he asked for was an opportunity.

91裸聊视频淵ou can measure my size, my height, my speed but one thing that you can91裸聊视频檛 measure is my will. I91裸聊视频檝e always said the one thing that sets me apart from any player is my will and determination. You tell me I can91裸聊视频檛 do something; I91裸聊视频檓 going to prove you wrong,91裸聊视频� said Elimimian.

Ironically enough, it was Buono who called Elimimian last week to let him know he was going into the Hall of Fame.

91裸聊视频淭he first three or four years, we went at it. We probably didn91裸聊视频檛 like each other. It was a strange relationship but once I won the Most Outstanding Player Award, it was more of father-son relationship. I really looked up to him,91裸聊视频� explained Elimimian.

The phone call from Buono was the culmination of an outstanding career 91裸聊视频� and a tribute to Elimimian91裸聊视频檚 resolve.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 91裸聊视频渢he Moj91裸聊视频� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at or your local Black Press Media website.

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