Moving 11,570 kilometres across the world is a daunting task for anybody.
Jeshrun Antwi made the arduous trek at just 11 years old, flying across the Atlantic Ocean with his family from Kumasi, Ghana to Calgary, Canada.
But he quickly adapted to his new surroundings and found community through sport.
He played high school ball with the Bishop McNally/Father Lacombe Laserwolves and was part of back-to-back city Div. 2 champions in 2013 and 2014. Also competing in basketball, volleyball and track, Antwi was his school’s athlete of the year three times.
“It was a new country, I had never been here before, hadn’t ever held a football,” Antwi said. “But the best part about playing football is you get to meet so many guys from all kinds of walks of life.
“They may have similar or different experiences, but it doesn’t matter once you get in the locker room. You’re all chasing the same thing.”
In addition to the explosive plays and big hits, one of the other beautiful parts about football is that it casts such a wide and diverse net of people who all come together to accomplish a common goal.
Antwi’s dreams of winning Canada’s ultimate football prize began when he first arrived in Calgary, watching the likes of Jon Cornish, Nik Lewis and Bo Levi Mitchell dominate in the CFL.
Following his back-to-back championships with the Laserwolves, Antwi enrolled at the University of Calgary and he’d go on to win the Vanier Cup with the Dinos in 2019. He amassed 2,233 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns over five years at the U of C.
TOUCHDOWN #Dinos! @antwi_jeshrun punches it in from the 8, and the Dinos go up 37-28 early 4th #GoDinos pic.twitter.com/38KRnsMHam
— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) September 24, 2017
He made it to the pros after being drafted by the Montreal Alouettes and eventually won the Grey Cup with the club in 2023.
He credits his childhood spent in Ghana for shaping him into the man and football player that he is today.
“I think a lot of values like having integrity, respect, being honourable, I got from living at home and being with my uncles and watching how the people around me lived,” he explained.
“My whole identity stems from living in Ghana, the culture, the customs and the way of life there.”
Now a father to three young children, Antwi looks forward to bringing his kids back to Ghana when they’re old enough.
“I think once they get of age to be able to go see what Ghana looks like, it’s a trip that we’re going to take,” he said. “They are part Canadian, but they’re also part of me so we’re definitely going to try and go over there and explore.”
Until then, the young Antwis will get a chance to watch Dad play on Saturday night when the Stampeders host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the club’s annual Heritage Night game, presented by Shane Homes.
The evening offers Calgarians the chance to celebrate the vibrant diversity that shapes the city by welcoming fans of all backgrounds to unite through the game of Canadian football.
Being able to represent Ghana on the CFL stage isn’t something the 2023 Grey Cup champion takes lightly.
“I think it’s everything,” Antwi said. “Where you’re from, it means a lot to me. I hold it very close to my heart.”
As is tradition on Heritage Night at McMahon Stadium, the event features a Heritage Night Market located in the East Fan Zone before the game where there will be live cultural performances, vendors, and more.
Kickoff between the Stamps and Bombers is set for 5 p.m.
