Mo Elewonibi facts for kids

Mohammed Thomas David "Mo" Elewonibi (born December 16, 1965) is a former professional football player from Nigeria and Canada. He played as an offensive lineman in two major leagues: the National Football League (NFL) in the United States and the Canadian Football League (CFL) in Canada. Mo Elewonibi had a long career protecting his team's quarterback and helping them score touchdowns. His last NFL game was in January 1996, when he left the field due to a knee injury.

Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Mo Elewonibi was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. During his time at Victoria High School, he was a talented athlete. He especially excelled in soccer and basketball.

Playing for the Okanagan Sun

Before college, Elewonibi played football for two years with the Okanagan Sun club. This team is part of a junior football league. In 2005, to celebrate the team's 25th anniversary, Mo was named to their "25 Year All Time Team." This shows how important he was to the club's history.

College Football Career

Mo Elewonibi started his college football journey at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. This is where he first began playing football seriously. Later, he transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU) to finish his college studies and football career.

Winning the Outland Trophy

While playing for BYU, Mo Elewonibi achieved a major honor. He won the Outland Trophy in 1989. This award is given to the most outstanding interior lineman in college football across the entire country. It's a very prestigious award for players who block and tackle on the line of scrimmage. He was also recognized as a Consensus All-American in 1989, meaning he was chosen by most major selectors as one of the best players in the nation.

Professional Football Journey

After college, Mo Elewonibi played for several teams in both the NFL and CFL. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1990. He helped them win a Super Bowl.

NFL Teams and Super Bowl Win

Elewonibi played for the Washington Redskins from 1990 to 1993. During this time, he was part of the team that won Super Bowl XXVI. This is one of the biggest achievements in American football. He also played for the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1995, he played for the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe, a league that helped players develop their skills.

CFL Career in Canada

After his time in the NFL, Mo Elewonibi moved to the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the BC Lions in two different periods, from 1997 to 1999 and again in 2005. He also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2000 to 2004. In 1998, he was named a CFL All-Star, showing he was one of the best players in the league.

Life After Football

After retiring from professional football, Mo Elewonibi continued to help others. He lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. He now works as a counselor. In this role, he helps people who are recovering from addiction. He supports them as they work to get their lives back on track.