Kramdi knows the meaning of pressure

It’s playoff football in Redha Kramdi’s hometown, and he’ll have 20-plus family members and friends in the crowd to cheer him on.

Surely, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers dime back must feel at least some pressure heading into Saturday’s East Division semifinal in Montreal against the Alouettes.

“It’s a game. I’ve been through so much in life that this is a privilege to be here,” said Kramdi earlier this week. “I would be a fool to be stressed or feel pressure about playing playoff football.”

As the son of Algerian immigrants, Kramdi learned at a young age what real pressure looks like. The family was situated in a rough area of Montreal and his parents worked two, sometimes three jobs to provide a better life for their four kids.

“Now that’s stressful. Me playing football and having to know where (Als receiver) Tyler Snead is lined up and what coverage I need to call, that’s not pressure,” said Kramdi.

“That’s not the same thing as having four kids and doing your best to make sure you can pay rent and have clothes and food.”

There was always one parent around, but rarely both. It got to a point where when Kramdi was eight or nine years old he asked his dad if the whole family was ever going to sit down together for a meal.

That question hit his father, Madani, hard. He was working for a cleaning company and two jobs as a cook but decided to dial it back after that.

“(Football’s) not a job. That’s the biggest thing I took from my parents,” said Kramdi.

“I feel bad, it’s 2:30 p.m., and after this interview, I’m going to take a shower, then go home. I feel bad because my parents worked their whole life super late. So, that would be the biggest thing, which installed a good work ethic in me.”

Last year’s regular season finale in Montreal was the first time Kramdi’s mother Fatima had seen him play live because of all her hours working. He played university ball at home for the Montreal Carabins, but she was often scheduled on night shifts and weekends.

She’d try to record the games and watch them after clocking out — even though she didn’t really understand anything about the gridiron game.

Fortunately for mom, her son is an ideal person to learn from.

“He’s a football junkie. You can call Redha at 10 o’clock at night and if you have a football question, he’s gonna answer the phone and probably talk your ear off for an hour,” said defensive tackle Jake Thomas.

“He just loves the game and plays it the right way.”

She’s getting the hang of it now and will be among those in the stands on Saturday rooting for the Blue and Gold.

“My mom is a big fan of Zach (Collaros) and (Nic) Demski. So, when we go win, hopefully she can get a little picture with them,” said Kramdi.

The Bombers have surrendered the fewest offensive points in the CFL and Kramdi, a fifth-year pro, has his fingerprints all over the unit’s success.

“Redha’s contributions cannot be overstated. He’s an extension of me on the field,” said Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger.

“He has the best understanding of what we do. There’s not one position on the field he doesn’t understand front or back… There’s so much value he brings that you’d never recognize because it’s just his voice doing the work and not necessarily his body, but he’s special.”

You could argue it should be a special weekend for Kramdi, a chance to take a step back and realize how far he and his family have come.

He’ll enjoy dinner with his loved ones Friday night, but when he wakes up Saturday, it’s all business.

“Obviously, it’s playoffs, win or go home, but at the end of the day, it’s the same old,” said Kramdi.

“When it’s game day, even my family knows I’m locked in. I’m boring, I just don’t talk. I don’t allow myself to feel these emotions, I’m just trying to stay steady and emotionless as possible to go out there and play well.”

He’ll have his hands full with Als quarterback Davis Alexander, and a deep receiver room that Kramdi believes is the best in the league that features Snead, Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack.

There’s also the fact no crossover team has ever successfully won back-to-back road playoff games to make it to the Grey Cup.

“I don’t even care, to be honest. I didn’t even know that,” said Kramdi.

“At the end of the day, when ball is down and the referee blows the whistle, it’s 12-on-12, all bets are off and may the best one win.

“Since I’ve prepared well, I’m just going in with a clear mind and trying to enjoy playing the game.”

DEMSKI UPDATE

The Bombers have listed star receiver Nic Demski as doubtful for Saturday’s playoff game with a hamstring injury.

Demski suffered the setback on Oct. 11 in Edmonton and hasn’t practised since.

Fellow Manitoba Bisons product Gavin Cobb, who has six catches for 51 yards in four games this season, will likely start in his place.

As expected, backup quarterback Chris Streveler has been officially ruled out with a knee injury. Streveler went down on a non-contact play five minutes into last week’s 19-10 win at home over the Als to close out the season. Terry Wilson will move up to the No. 2 spot behind Zach Collaros and handle short-yardage duties.

The Bombers travelled to Montreal on Thursday.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca