Stampeders defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade is going with the Flo
Defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade goes by 'Flo' in the Stampeder locker room. And Flo was going with the flow on Saturday night against the B.C. Lions., where he was outstanding in a heartbreaking 41-40 loss.
The highlight came when the 26-year-old intercepted a Nathan Rourke pass and took it to the house. Orimolade said it was the first touchdown he's had since his high school days.
"I didn't know it was going to feel that good. It actually felt really good to get into the end zone," Orimolade said.
"I was supposed to cover the middle of the field but nobody came to the middle. I got a drag coming back from the other side so I was out leveraging it but the drag guy stopped and I saw the quarterback who thought he was still going to go so I just went where his eyes went and the ball just popped up."
THE SECRET IS OUT
Orimolade's teammates weren't surprised he stepped up and made the big play. Earlier this season, fellow defensive lineman Sean Lemon called Orimolade the best kept secret in the CFL.
He said that's not the case anymore.
"The secret is out, the secret is definitely out," Lemon said.
"I'm just so happy for him you know what I mean. I understand the work that he puts in. He's like a little brother to me and I'm just proud of him. I've been there, I've seen him injured and I've seen him crying in the locker room. Hats off to the organization sticking with the guy, you know going through tough times but I'm just happy to see him thriving."
The 26-year-old intercepted a Nathan Rourke pass and took it to the house against the Lions Saturday, scoring his first touchdown since high school.
LONG REHAB
There were questions whether Orimolade would be able to thrive in the CFL. He joined the team in 2018 but hasn't played in a lot of games.
In 2019, he suffered a quadriceps injury that kept him out the entire season. In 2020, the season was wiped out due to the pandemic and then in 2021, Orimolade missed more than half the season with a high ankle sprain.
He said it's great to be back on the field again and making big plays.
"It's been a long journey. Long knee rehab, two of them. You know the ankle last year so it feels good to put a stretch together like this."
HARD WORKER
Head coach Dave Dickenson said the team stuck with Orimolade because they knew he was going to put the work in and do his best to get back onto the field.
"The main thing with Flo is you're never not going to get hard work," Dickenson said.
"You know the guy, practice roster, starter, all star he just shows up the same and he's not interested in just getting to the game. He wants to work on his craft and he takes it serious. Football is important to him."
STICK WITH IT
Orimolade admits there were times he wondered if he was going to make it back. There were plenty of set backs a long the way.
He said getting back on the field and making a difference makes it all worthwhile.
"Hard work does pay off but I think the thing is that you have to stick through it when you feel like you can't go any further, you always have more left. And stay faithful that you'll be able to get through it."
Orimolade and the Stamps are in Toronto on Saturday night to face the Argos. Kickoff for that game is at 5:00 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military said Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.