A Belmont Bulldogs football player’s interception-touchdown return has earned him National Football League recognition along with an equipment grant for the Langford high school.
Belmont Secondary School’s Issac Bamara highlight-reel play was recently selected as the Week 9 NFL Canada Way to Play Award winner, which aired on Sunday in a special segment during the NFL broadcast.
Each week in the season (until Nov. 16), one submitted video is chosen and featured in a special segment.
Canadian and former NFL players-turned television analysts Davis Sanchez and Luke Willson commented on the play, which was filmed by Bamara’s mom at a game three weeks ago.
Watch the segment below:
Inspired by another Victoria high school football player who was featured in a similar segment, Bamara – who is in Grade 12 – sent the clip a week after the game and was informed he was chosen for the segment Oct. 30.
“I watched it with my family and grandparents; it was really cool to see and my team is so supportive. I’m getting messages from family and friends as well from Abbotsford and Calgary with so many people reaching out,” Bamara said.
Bamara, a cornerback, told CHEK News he fully credits his defensive co-ordinator for “dialing up the play.”
“I could see the ball coming and thought ‘this is my chance to pick it,’” and admitted the interception-touchdown was one of three plays filmed by his mom that day.
In addition to having his film being featured, Belmont will also receive a $3,000 equipment grant to invest in the football program. Bamara noted the funds will most likely go towards new jerseys for the team.
As for his future in the sport, Bamara said he would like to continue playing in U Sports after graduating.
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