Chris Mulumba
No. 92     Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Born: (1992-10-10) 10 October 1992 (age 31)
Helsinki, Finland
Career information
StatusPractice roster
CFL statusGlobal
Position(s)Defensive tackle
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight285 lb (129 kg)
College
CFL draft2021G, Round: 2, Pick: 11
Career history
As player
2012Helsinki Roosters
2021–presentHamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Chris Mulumba (born 10 October 1992) is a Finnish professional gridiron football defensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). A judo champion in his youth, he played college football at Colorado and was selected eleventh overall by the Tiger-Cats in the 2021 CFL Global Draft.

Mulumba has been named the Finnish Player by the Year by the Association of Sports Journalists [fi] in 2017,[1] 2018,[2] and 2021.[3]

Early years

Mulumba was born on 10 October 1992 in Helsinki, Finland. His parents, Annina and Etienne Mulumba, had immigrated to the country to escape conflict in their native Democratic Republic of the Congo the year before, and Chris grew up fluent in both Finnish and French.[4][5]

He excelled in judo in his childhood, earning a black belt in the discipline. He was a three-time age-group national champion and represented Finland in international competitions.[6] He also wrestled for his high school.[5] He credits his background in these sports with helping him with his hands, balance and leverage.[7][8]

Mulumba was introduced to American football through a friend at the age of 17, joining the Helsinki Roosters youth team.[9] He compared the sport's one-on-one aspect to judo and figured he just had to win his matchup at the line of scrimmage on every play.[4] Mulumba succeeded in the junior leagues and quickly earned a spot on the Finland under-17 national team.[9][10] After being promoted to the Roosters senior team, he helped them win the Maple Bowl in 2012. Soon afterwards Mulumba served his year of mandatory military service in the Finnish Army, training at the Defense Forces Sports School [fi] in Santahamina.[4][9] He realized he could possibly earn a living by playing football, so he moved to the United States to pursue a career.[8]

College career

After his year in the Army, Mulumba received an offer to play at the University of Northern Colorado.[11] One of his coaches in Finland, Sami Porkka, had played for the Bears in the early 1990s and helped Mulumba send his highlight tape to the school.[11] However, he was not able to pass the English language test, forcing him to take the junior college route.[11] Mulumba began his collegiate career at Chabot College in Hayward, California, recording 35 tackles, four tackles for a loss, and one sack in his lone season with the Gladiators.

Transferring to Diablo Valley College, as a sophomore, he had 63 tackles, nine tackles for losses, and four sacks in 10 games, earning all-conference accolades.[12]

He had a season-high 17 tackles in a game against College of the Siskiyous.[7] He earned NCFC National Division

"Chris is an excellent defensive end and outside linebacker, is powerful and strong and has a very good first step on his pass rush," said head coach Mike MacIntyre. "We're excited about him being here at the University of Colorado playing defensive end for us."

References

  1. ^ Visuri, Roope (17 January 2018). "Tässä ovat lajien parhaat urheilijat vuonna 2017 – Lauri Markkanen katkaisi Petteri Koposen kuuden vuoden putken". Yle (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  2. ^ Niemeläinen, Jonne (16 January 2019). "Lajien parhaat valittu – ensimmäistä kertaa listalle nousi isä ja tytär" (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. ^ Jakonen, Nina (10 January 2022). "Lajien parhaat urheilijat 2021 on valittu" (in Finnish). Urheilutoimittajain Liitto. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Lombardi, David (21 March 2017). "Colorado turns to Finnish judo champion Chris Mulumba in rebuilding effort". ESPN. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b Clay, Jason (15 December 2016). "OLB/DE Chris Mulumba Signs with Buffs". Colorado Buffaloes Athletics. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Chris Mulumba". Judo Inside. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b "DVC looks to 'Finnish' strong". Diablo Valley Vikings Athletics. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Representing Finland in the CFL would be 'A dream come true" for Mulumba". Canadian Football League. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "SAJL vuosikirja 2016" (in Finnish). American Football Association of Finland. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2021 – via Issuu.
  10. ^ "Märskyn jenkkifutarit" (in Finnish). American Football Association of Finland. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Howell, Brian (18 December 2016). "CU football: New JUCO signee took a unique path to Buffs". BuffZone. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  12. ^ "2015 NCFC Bay6 Conference Postseason Awards" (PDF). Northern California Football Conference. Retrieved 16 April 2022.

External links

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