David Gbenda\u2019s surname is routinely mispronounced. But there is no mistaking his impact when he suits up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe flies around,\u201d Head Coach Corey Mace said, \u201cand he\u2019s coming from the University of Texas, so you know he probably played a little bit of football.\u201d<\/p>\n
A member of the University of Texas Longhorns from 2019 to 2024, Gbenda \u2014 pronounced \u201cBenda\u201d \u2014 attended training camp with the NFL\u2019s Tennessee Titans last year before signing with Saskatchewan on March 31.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-0, 235-pound linebacker is averaging one special teams tackle per game to begin his CFL career. He also has two defensive tackles for a 4-2 Saskatchewan team that is to face the 6-1 Edmonton Elks on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thankful to be here, honestly, every day,\u201d Gbenda said. \u201cThe guys have welcomed me with open arms. They\u2019ve been helpful every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gbenda\u2019s parents, Tamba and June, were welcomed to the United States in 1996 after emigrating from Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n
David, their first child, was born on Dec. 12, 2000 in Katy, Texas \u2014 part of the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area. He subsequently celebrated the arrivals of his younger sisters, Matilda and Madison.<\/p>\n
Introduced to football at Cinco Ranch High School, Gbenda was a two-way standout. In addition to excelling on defence, he ran for five touchdowns as a senior.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my first real chance at playing football, so I just took it and ran with it,\u201d he recalled. \u201cWhatever my team needed, I was going to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, they needed me to play running back. They needed me to be on special teams. So whatever they needed, I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it was noticed. He received roughly 25 scholarship offers from FBS schools before opting to remain in his home state and join the Longhorns.<\/p>\n
A Saskatchewan connection entered Gbenda\u2019s life in 2021 when Steve Sarkisian was named the long-time NCAA powerhouse\u2019s Head Coach.<\/p>\n