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BԪַDisconnectBԪַ: B.C.-raised Kongbo didnBԪַt last long with BC Lions, who quickly traded him

BԪַWe signed him, we wanted him and it wasnBԪַt going to work out,BԪַ Lions coach Campbell says
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Defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo speaks to Hamilton Tiger-Cats reporters in a video posted to ticats.ca on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Well, that was quick.

On Monday (June 5), BC Lions announced theyBԪַd traded Surrey-raised football player Jonathan Kongo, just 15 days after the CFL team signed the standout defensive lineman.

The Lions acquired a 2024 draft pick from Hamilton Tiger-Cats in exchange for Kongbo, who had signed with the Lions partway through training camp and dressed for just one pre-season game, June 1 against Calgary.

ItBԪַs not clear exactly what happened, but it seems like team chemistry was a problem.

BԪַI think it just wasnBԪַt gonna be a good fit,BԪַ Lions head coach Rick Campbell said on Sportsnet 650 radio on Wednesday (June 7).

BԪַYou know, we wanted it to work out, thatBԪַs why we signed him, but sometimes if players arenBԪַt comfortable with the situation, or itBԪַs not going to work out, then itBԪַs better to move on. It was quite clear to me that he wasnBԪַt comfortable with the situation, and thatBԪַs too bad.BԪַ

Campbell made it clear that it wasnBԪַt KongboBԪַs on-field performance or style of play that was a problem.

BԪַNo, it was just being comfortable on the team,BԪַ the coach said during the Halford & Brough morning show.

BԪַFor some reason, there was some disconnect there. We signed him, we wanted him and it wasnBԪַt going to work out, and itBԪַs just the way it goes. It happens once in awhile, and like I said we would have loved to have him. It didnBԪַt seem to meshing really well and so we, you know, gave him a new home.BԪַ

After kicking off in Calgary Thursday (June 8), the LionsBԪַ home-opener for the 2023 season is Saturday, June 17 at BC Place Stadium, where LL Cool J is among pre-game performers.

On Twitter, after being traded, Kongbo said this about his brief time with the Lions: BԪַBԪַNot a fitBԪַ because I called out star players not showing up for practice, and guys not wanting to work out. Culture matters, itBԪַs called pro football for a reason.BԪַ

The 27-year-old Kongbo, a Holy Cross graduate who starred for the Surrey-area school team a decade ago, has played in the NFL and also .

Last October he dressed for a pair of games with Denver Broncos after signing a reserve/futures deal in January. , the Broncos lost 12-9 in overtime, but Kongbo scored a personal goal of making his NFL debut five games into DenverBԪַs season.

In Hamilton, Kongbo will have to quickly adapt to a new team just days before the start of the CFL season.

BԪַIBԪַve played a couple times here and itBԪַs good to finally be on the other side, getting with the guys, see the culture around here, how guys are working, so itBԪַs been a really good couple days,BԪַ .

He talked about the BԪַhard-working, blue-collar spiritBԪַ of Hamilton and how he thinks heBԪַs a perfect fit for the city.

Asked what kind of player he is, Kongbo responded: BԪַFearless, tenacious, I love the game, love the work, love the cameraderie, I love getting after it, I love winning, so to all the Ti-Cats fans, youBԪַre getting a player who loves to compete, a player who loves to get after it and a player who loves to win.BԪַ

While at Holy Cross, Kongbo was something of an accidental football star, a guy who hadnBԪַt played the game until Grade 12 at the Fleetwood-area Catholic school. HeBԪַd been a basketball player at Kitsilano Secondary until transferring to Holy Cross, where the CrusadersBԪַ coaches eventually coaxed him to try football, a game he didnBԪַt embrace at first.

Born in Zaire, Konbgo moved with his family to Canada at age five.



tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com

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Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

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