Gassama intent on rewriting the narrative

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This article was published 11/03/2024 (811 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AK Gassama wants to be a CFL receiver for reasons much bigger than football.

Born in Sierra Leone during the civil war, his family fled to Winnipeg when he was four and lived in public housing for several years.

“Growing up in the inner city, there’s a lot of people who I grew up with who ended up dead or in jail,” said the University of Manitoba Bisons captain. “I just want to rewrite that narrative and be someone that can say at the end of the day, I took all possible measures and didn’t leave one stone unturned. That’s why I go so hard to create a platform to show kids that no matter what situation you’re in, if you have that focus, you have that purpose, and you get behind it with hard work, anything is possible.”

Gassama is on the doorstep of making that happen as he’s the lone U of M product to score an invite to the CFL Combine in Winnipeg (March 19-24).

The first-team all-Canadian isn’t taking the opportunity lightly as he spent the past two months training in Houston with a group that featured former NFL superstar Terrell Owens and his son Terique (Missouri State), as well as Buffalo Bills receiver KJ Hamler.

Since the pandemic, Gassama has made the effort to head south for additional training and coaching.

“At first when I heard T.O. was coming, I was like ‘Oh, he’s coming with his son.’ This man, T.O., he comes with his cleats and he’s working out with us. He’s 50 years old and he’s still got it. The man is moving and is in phenomenal shape,” said Gassama.

The Hall of Famer, who’s third all-time in NFL receiving yards behind Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald, was happy to help the 24-year-old Winnipegger work on his craft.

“He told me to be deceptive… Always keep (defenders) on their toes, put them in ‘Oh sh-t’ mode, and get them in position where they’re at your dispense as I’m controlling the route,” said Gassama. “Hearing that from T.O., the GOAT, and him kind of praising me for my abilities I was like ‘Whoah, this is the GOAT speaking right now.’”

In 2023, the former Vincent Massey Collegiate standout became the seventh Bison in program history to eclipse 1,000 yards and 100 receptions in a career. The 5-11, 175-pounder can still add to those totals as he has one more year of U Sports eligibility if he doesn’t make a CFL roster this summer.

It’s been an impressive career, especially for someone who thought it was over before it even started.

“When I was coming out of high school, it was June 2017, and I tore my ACL at the provincial track and field meet doing long jump. It was raining and I went off the board on my second practice jump and landed in the sandpit. I didn’t even know I tore my ACL until I got my MRI and everything done,” said Gassama, who started out playing youth football for the Fort Garry Lions.

“I had just gotten my scholarship from the U of M and I called coach (Brian) Dobie and I was crying. I’m like ‘Are you going to take my scholarship away?’ When I started playing football, I didn’t want to have that financial burden of having to pay for school, so being able to earn that scholarship was everything.”

Dobie quickly assured him there was nothing to worry about. Gassama was able to rehab with the team’s strength and conditioning program.

“It was a really low moment, but it was also one of the best things that happened to me at the same time. There was such a period of growth that happened within that time that allowed me to come out of that a lot better than what I was,” said Gassama.

Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski will be at the combine slinging passes to receivers as they make their way through drills. He’s hoping he can do his part to help Gassama impress CFL scouts and general managers ahead of the draft on April 30.

Tachinski drove down to Houston with Gassama last year.

“Honestly, AK is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had in my whole athletic career. He’s one of the most genuine people you’ll meet and always super excited to interact and engage with people. And honestly, I think that makes him such a good teammate because it just makes you want to come into work every day and be with him and work for him. When you have a guy like that on our team, it makes it really easy to buy in,” said Tachinski.

“I think he’s the most athletic Canadian receiver we’ve seen in a minute and I think he’s going to show that at the combine.”

Gassama has no idea where he’ll go on draft day, but he does know where he wants to go.

“I’ll be grateful for wherever I go, but it would be insanely incredible and tremendous to play for the Bombers and play for the home team,” said Gassama.

“To get that experience would be a crazy addition to the story.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31