A road trip to Montreal will feel just like home for Roughriders’ Brian Harelimana

When Brian Harelimana next arrives in Montreal, the stay won’t even last two days. 

The first time he set foot in the city, it changed his life — and that of his family. 

Harelimana was just 13 months old when his mother, Emma, decided to give her children new opportunities in Canada. Hence the move from Rwanda. 

“There was a genocide there in 1994 and I was born in 1995,” says Harelimana, who is to suit up as a linebacker and on special teams for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday against the host Montreal Alouettes. 

“We lost a lot of family in the genocide, unfortunately. Just with the fact that there was war, coming out here was way better for the kids, just school-wise and just to have better opportunities. 

“My mom did everything for us to be able to ensure that we had education. We’re lucky to be in this situation.” 

The transition wasn’t always the easiest, but it was ultimately for the best. 

“She came (to Canada) as a single mom,” recalls Harelimana, 27. “I have a younger brother (Kean) — we’re 13 months apart — and a brother (Patrick) who is seven years older, so my mom did a tremendous job. 

“Words can’t describe what she did. She really sacrificed everything. She went back to school to get another degree and all that while raising three boys.” 

“My mom held it down for the family.  She’s my role model. She’s my super-superhero. I know I can do anything, because I have seen her do the impossible. 

“She was going back to school, working, raising boys, having to come back home and cook, and making sure that everything was taken care of. 

“I complain when we’ve got a long day, but I can only imagine what her days were like, especially when you’ve got kids. She did all that and she never complained about it.” 

So was too busy being proud of her sons Brian, Kean (a former linebacker with the Alouettes and Ottawa REDBLACKS), Patrick and Anthony, the latter of whom is 17 and was born in Canada. 

Considering the family’s connection to football, and to Montreal, Friday’s game at Percival Molson Stadium — on the campus of McGill University — will be an event that transcends first downs and fumbles, helmets and hits. 

“Obviously, I’m going to have family and friends who are going to watch the game,” Harelimana says. “They’re going to come through and support me. 

“It’s going to be special playing against the Als. I played at Percival Molson Stadium as a visitor when I was at the University of Montreal. I’ve been on the other sideline, but not as a pro, so it’s going to be special. 

“But with all this hype and everything, at the end of the day all I care about is a win. I think we’ve got a great team here. We’ve got some great locker-room leaders.” 

Harelimana’s signing was announced by the Roughriders on June 21. Four days earlier, he had been released by the Alouettes after spending the previous two seasons with his hometown team. 

“It was a quick transition for me,” he says. “I got released on a Saturday and I was on a plane on the Monday, so I had to pack in a hurry. 

“Everything went so fast. I got here and, two days later, we were leaving for Calgary. I just had to be ready. 

“The guys and everyone in the organization have been tremendous to me. It made my transition really easy. I’ve been enjoying my time here and I love it out here. 

“Mosaic Stadium and the facilities are superb. There are NFL teams that don’t have some of the facilities that we have out here. 

“The organization has been top-notch. If I need anything, I’ve been able to reach out and they’ve been able to help me out. 

“The coaches went out of their way to make sure I understood my job and what I have to do, even working overtime. 

“When you feel appreciated and you feel wanted, it makes your job so much easier.”