By Patrick Boyle and Jonathan Tremblay
Saskatchewan is a diverse province filled with many different backgrounds and cultures. But yet there is one thing that unites all of us, the Riders.
Many of Saskatchewan’s youth grow up immortalizing the Green and White with hopes of one day putting on that helmet and running through the tunnel at Mosaic Stadium. Defensive lineman and special teams ace Levi Steinhauer is doing exactly that, living the Saskatchewan story so many dream of.
Born and raised on a farm outside of Moose Jaw, Steinhauer was drafted by the Riders in the fifth round of the 2013 CFL Draft. He is a product of the Saskatchewan minor football system, having played peewee, bantam and high school in Moose Jaw. He credits a “solid minor and high-school football program,” and says that the “coaches in Moose Jaw are very knowledgeable. From when you start playing as a kid to high school they know and understand how to develop players and that helps a lot.”
Levi is the latest in a string of players from Moose Jaw to be drafted and play in the CFL including former Riders defensive lineman Scott Schultz and first overall draft pick Dylan Barker. “Being able to learn the game and some of those technicalities from such a young age is definitely what has helped me,” said Steinhauer.
After his high school career at Peacock Collegiate in Moose Jaw, he moved on to bigger things outside his hometown. Steinhauer focused his training on one goal…football. He joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for three seasons under Head Coach and fellow Moose Javian Brian Towriss. He says his support network is a big reason for his success then and now: “I had the support of friends and family at all my games, and even more-so now, at Taylor Field.”
His ticket to Mosaic Stadium was also influenced by his Saskatchewan roots. “Recruiters knew about me and had seen me evolve in my teams. And now I’ve made it. I’m on the field, I get hyped up coming down the tunnel with the guys and I get out there and try to make an impact.”
Some athletes can let their success go to their heads and let their egos get inflated, but not Steinhauer. He remains grounded and committed to his roots. So much so that he continues to live and work with his family on the farm: “I’m back on the family farm and thought I would live here for a bit…I help where I can with baling and things when my dad needs me.”
The Steinhauer family raises buffalo, horses and wild boars three miles outside of Moose Jaw. Steinhauer says “the daily drive to Regina gives me the opportunity to think and visualize the game and relax on the Number 1 highway.” He continues to remain focused, humble and hungry each and every game as the Riders travel down that long road towards that elusive silver cup.
See Levi in action this Sunday at the Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
