California vs. Oregon 2013 Football Program

Minutes before every game kicks off, football foes put aside their grudges and rise to collectively salute the American flag. As the national anthem begins to echo throughout the stadium, it seems all in attendance are standing for the United States of America. Boseko Lokombo, however, places his hand over his heart to show respect to his host nation.

If Lokombo had things his way, the loud speakers would blare “Oh Canada” before the first snap of each game. The senior linebacker is the only member of the Ducks football squad that is not an American citizen.

Lokombo was born in the African nation of the Congo before he was raised in Canada.

In 1993 Lokombo’s father, Leon, was granted an international sponsorship to study in Montreal, Quebec. Three years later, Boseko and the rest of his immediate relatives followed the family patriarch over the equator and across the Atlantic to settle in Canada. Officially, the defensive veteran is considered a Congolese-Canadian dual-citizen.

Eventually, the Lokombos found a permanent home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, where Boseko discovered his passion. Ironically, football wasn’t his favorite sport as a kid.

“I never really liked football until I started playing it in the eighth grade,” he said.

When he was younger, one of Oregon’s most experienced defenders experimented with soccer, basketball, and Canada’s national pastime, hockey, before finding his calling in football.

“I played a little bit of hockey, but I wasn’t very good,” Lokombo admitted. “I couldn’t skate, so I got into football and haven’t stopped playing ever since.”

Although football didn’t initially spark Lokombo’s interest, his older brother, xxxx, encouraged him to give the American-invented sport a chance. Lokombo exchanged his ice skates for shoulder pads and began playing tight end in a local youth football league.

Gradually, Lokombo learned to love the game. After two seasons of outstanding offensive production as W.J. Mouat Secondary School’s star running back and receiver, the transplanted African citizen realized he had a natural aptitude for the sport.

Similar to his father’s pilgrimage to Canada in search of prosperous opportunities, Lokombo journeyed south of the border to play his junior season at South Eugene High School in Eugene. Playing against better competition and taking on more of a defensive role, Lokombo was recognized as one of the best high school linebackers in Oregon, and quickly became a top recruit in the United States.

“Oregon State offered me a scholarship first, but I didn’t want to go there. I had to explore my options more,” Boseko offered.

The risk of temporarily abandoning Abbotsford paid off when the University of Oregon, the school that resided in the same city where Lokombo spent his junior year in Eugene working to impress, offered the bruiser a scholarship.

“I felt comfortable at the U of O because I had a pretty good relationship with the coaches and I knew it was a stable program, so I didn’t really want to go anywhere else,” he said.

With an offer of a scholarship in hand, the four-star recruit returned to British Columbia to finish his senior season with his original teammates at Mouat Secondary. In 2009, like the migratory pattern of a more feathered fowl variety, Lokombo flew south to join the Ducks.

Playing in his final games at Autzen Stadium this year, Lokombo has become a veteran leader on a team scattered with returning standouts and young stars alike. Teammates such as sophomore linebacker Derrick Malone Jr. admire his determined attitude on the field and calm demeanor once the cleats come off.

“He’s an athletic freak,” says Malone. “He’s a hard worker and the most talented linebacker I’ve played with, but he’s an even greater person.”

The Canadian immigrant has been a harrowing force in defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti’s linebacking corps since the National Championship appearance season in 2010, amassing over 40 games played in a Duck uniform.

Lokombo’s dominant style of play has garnered the attention of professional scouts. Though his only current concern is leading the Ducks to a second BCS National Championship game in Pasadena, Calif., temptations of playing professional football are ever-present.

Barring a major setback, the question surrounding Lokombo isn’t if he’s capable of playing at the next level, but whether he’d prefer to play on a 100 yard or 110-yard field after graduating.

Before the 2013 NCAA football season, Lokombo was selected 21^st overall in the Canadian Football League Draft by a team he grew up rooting for – the BC Lions.

Despite ranking as the best eligible player in the recent CFL draft, the linebacker declined the Lions’ invitation to play with provincial pride at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C.—about an hour from Abbotsford. Lokombo was humbled by his draft experience in the off-season, but ultimately knew he had unfinished business to attend to with the Ducks.

“I felt like I needed to finish off school. I still wanted to play with my teammates and I knew I had a lot left to accomplish,” he professed. “I love the CFL, but that’s not really what I want to do right now.”

Lokombo isn’t entirely certain about his future has in store. Applying for his American citizenship is a priority once this season winds down but otherwise, No. 25 is unsure what’s next.

The journalism major has thought seriously about pursuing a career in his field of study after he tackles his degree. For now, however, he’ll continue to be the subject of journalists’ discussions as he attempts to create a new record in the Oregon football history books: being one of the school’s first players to appear in two National Championship games. But like any athlete’s mentality in the Oregon football system, “Win The Day” takes precedence over looking ahead for the senior.

“I’m just living in the moment right now,” according to Lokombo. “I’m focusing on the team and how we’re going to do this season.”

Regardless of the path Lokombo chooses, his impact on the sport in Canada is profound. He may not be keen to admit it now, but the veteran linebacker has something in common with those that braved the Oregon Trail—he’s a pioneer—transforming football into an international craze. Growing up in a nation where many prefer fútbol to football, the Abbotsford local’s success on the gridiron has given Canadians a reason to tune into Duck games on Saturdays.

“If people are paying attention to me back in Canada, I think that’s pretty cool. I’m just blessed to be able to wake up and do what I love,” Lokombo said.

Certainly, borders cannot confine the Oregon defensive leader’s presence in the football world.