Michiko Araki
For 2015 draft pick Adrian Clarke, life as a first year Lion has been a great learning experience.
Surprisingly for most people, the Mississauga native only began playing football in his senior year of high school. Although football only recently became a big part of his life, Adrian has been quick to adjust to the playing level at every stage of his football career and has adjusted well to the Lions – showcased by the fact that he’s the leading rookie tackler on special teams.
“The adjustment [has] been a really, really good process. It’s a learning process for sure,” he admits. “The learning curve is a lot deeper than it was in university, but once you catch on to it and you get help from the veterans, it becomes second nature.”
So, why did Adrian start playing football much later than most other players? Usually, it’s due to other sport commitments, but for Adrian, it was a different story.
“It was late development, physically. I used to be a fat kid, believe it or not,” he jokes. “I guess puberty kicked in late so that’s when I started developing athleticism. I really started in grade 12, so I haven’t been playing football for long. It works out when you work hard. [Before football], I played the drums – I didn’t play any other sport. Basketball used to be my love, but I couldn’t even play that either.”
Flash forward to today, and it’s a little hard to believe the 6’3”, 235 pound Bishop’s University grad. Physically, he’s one of the biggest linebackers on the depth chart for the Lions, even as a rookie. Although he has seen action primarily on special teams so far this season, Adrian is happy to contribute in any way he can while having a chance to learn from the best.
“Watching Solly and Biggie is by far one of the best experiences I’ve had,” he says. “Just watching them, especially being coached by Coach Holland, I learn so much from them [and] it makes me get better when I do my individuals. Watching those two and having those two around has been a big help.”
Having the opportunity to work alongside the best in the league and having such great role models has Adrian striving to be better every single day, on and off the field.
“What gets me through practice week after week is just me trying to get better. Me trying to help my team. Me trying to do as much as I can to win a championship,” he says. “In my whole career as a football player, I haven’t won a championship at all. I talked to some of these other guys and they have rings from their university, even some from BC, so that’s one thing I’m looking forward to and trying to strive for. I just want to take it one game at a time, one practice at a time, and get better and hopefully just do the best I can and contribute in any way I can.”
We’re definitely looking forward to seeing Adrian grow with the Lions this season!