The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ bye week gives Kerfalla Exumé some extra time to celebrate Canada Day.
“I’m grateful for all the opportunities that I have (in Canada),” says the Montreal-born defensive back, whose father (Sonny) and mother (Emmanuella) emigrated from Haiti.
“Thanks to my parents, I was able to have a roof and food on the table. I was able to go to school. All types of opportunities presented themselves.”
Sonny was only 16 when he moved to Canada and eventually met Emmanuella.
“My dad came over from Haiti by himself,” says Exumé, 31. “He had to work hard by himself. Then he made sure his family was good and he brought them with him.
“My dad had worked hard since he was young so, seeing that growing up, I didn’t have a choice but to give everything I have in everything that I do to make him proud.”
Exumé’s boundless family pride extends to his older siblings — two brothers (Bouba and Moussa) and a sister (Sadiya).
“(My parents) were looking for an opportunity and that’s what we got,” Exumé says. “I was lucky enough and blessed to be raised by both my parents in a loving family.
“I’m very grateful. Every day, I make sure I thank God and make the most out of it.”
Exumé has also made the most of his opportunity to play in the CFL.
Once upon a time, it seemed like a long shot for someone who did not begin playing football at any level until age 16.
“I was playing soccer before that, but (football) had always been around,” Exumé recalls. “My older brother was playing. Playing a lot with my older brothers, it was always a bit more physical.
“I was also watching football on television so it kind of got me. I love sports in general, so in any sports I want to play and have fun.”
He proved to be a natural and soon made the transition to the U Sports ranks with the University of Montreal Carabins.
Pro football came calling in 2019, when he was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the eighth round (70th overall).
Only three other players were chosen before the draft concluded.
“It definitely is a motivator,” Exumé says. “You see all the people getting called before you. You want to prove that you’re worth it and that you deserve your place.
“Then again, there’s a lot of people who don’t get drafted, so you take any opportunity you get and make the most out of it.”
That he did, making five special-teams tackles in his CFL regular-season debut.
“It was a nice (immediate) impact and I’m looking forward to keeping it up,” says Exumé, who has been an elite special teams player throughout his time in the CFL.
“I want to top that performance every game and have the same mindset and be all-in every time.”
With 25 special teams tackles, Exumé was tied for second in the league in 2019. He capped a stellar rookie season by helping Winnipeg win the Grey Cup.
After COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, he returned to the field in 2021 as a member of the Montreal Alouettes. Playing in his hometown, he registered 15 special teams tackles in 14 games.
Exumé spent two seasons with Montreal before returning to Winnipeg in 2023 and playing in a second Grey Cup Game with the Bombers.
Next stop: Toronto, where he helped the Argonauts win a championship in 2024.
Exumé, who signed with the Roughriders on Feb. 18th, has four special teams tackles and one defensive tackle for a 4-0 team.
“He’s awesome, man,” Head Coach and Defensive Co-ordinator Corey Mace says. “He’s a professional. He has a winning pedigree with where he’s come from. He’s a player you trust.
“The main thing he has been known for in this league is his ability to go down and play special teams. He has been outstanding at that for us.
“Having him as a rotational guy defensively, he has been really good as well. He’s a great pickup for us.”
Not to mention an inspirational story.
Rare is the eighth-rounder who becomes a day-in, day-out player in the CFL.
Yet, Exumé took part in his 80th career regular-season game when the Roughriders defeated the B.C. Lions 37-18 on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.
“It’s a great accomplishment, but you really have to keep persevering,” he says when asked about his longevity in professional football.
“Whenever you find a recipe to perform at a high level, you keep the same recipe and then you try to keep going.
“You never know what will happen, but you just want to give your best every time and great things will happen.
“It’s about setting the standard and putting the bar high. I’m always trying to reach that bar and play at a high level.”
