(Brad Cowan, received the Most Improved Player award as a Bantam Bell Warrior with Paul Stewart (r) and Tim Sheahan (l). Photo: Bell Warriors)
With his roots just to the west in Ashton, Brad Cowan is well-known in the football stadium and will be more so when he steps onto the field to play for the Ottawa Redblacks.
Cowan, a 6-foot, 228-pound Linebacker, was a Round 6, 47th overall pick for Ottawa’s RNation. He played for the Golden Hawks at Wilfrid Laurier University — last season he had a total of 28.5 tackles in eight games. He recently posted a 7-second three-cone drill at 229 pounds at the Ontario Regional Combine testing.
Previous to this, Brad played six seasons with the Bel-Air Norsemen leaving the Bell Warriors where he started his football career in 2010 as a Mosquito — advancing up to PeeWee and Bantam teams with the club.
(Brad Cowan with the 2015 Midget A-Cup playing as a Bel-Air Norsemen. Photo: Submitted)
Brad acknowledged upon reflection of winning the prestigious Bell Warriors Jim Wagdin Scholarship in 2016 that, “As I look back, being able to say I am a “Warrior for Life” is something that I am extremely proud of. The Bell Warriors taught me the importance of teamwork, commitment and putting the best interests of the team ahead of my own. It meant showing up to every practice, giving it my best effort and trusting the process. Trusting my coaches, teammates and everyone involved who helped us to be successful.”
He was also an ardent volunteer with local charities and in sports, having spent hours at the Stittsville Food Bank, coaching with the Stittsville Minor Hockey Association and playing a part during orientation at South Carleton by assisting new students progress to the high school environment.
The President of the Bell Warriors Football Club, Paul Stewart, shared his memory of Brad with us, “Brad was a standout Bell Warriors football player for years — winning Outstanding Linebacker at Pee Wee and Most Improved Player his first year of Bantam. An unfortunate ankle injury prohibited him from playing for most of his last year as a Warrior. One thing I always appreciated in my years coaching Brad was that he had great football instincts and was very athletic and agile for such a big young man. It was a shame he missed out on most of his final Bantam year but he worked hard in the off-season to be ready for his 1st year at Midget. He made the most of his opportunity by ultimately winning the Rookie of the Year with our sister club the Bel-Air Norsmen and the NCAFA League Championship while catching the eye of CIS recruiters. From there, Brad played for Laurier University as a Golden Hawk. He had a stellar career with Laurier and his most recent performance at the CFL Combine in Toronto saw Brad gain more visability. Clearly it was more than enough for the Ottawa REDBLACKS to come knocking.”
(Brad Cowan, picked for the Ottawa Redblacks. Photo: Ottawa Redblacks)
Cowan is a hefty tackler who will bring size and a pretty respectable speed to the Redblacks as they shrewdly add gains to their team.
“Brad always represented the Bell Warriors with distinction and it is no surprise to see with his determination, focus, and athleticism that he continues to thrive and succeed. The Warriors embrace character and values that we know will serve our players well on and off the field. We are so happy for and proud of Brad with all he has accomplished. It is awesome to see him continue to strive to fulfill his dream of playing pro football in the CFL and to have an opportunity to do it with our home team the REDBLACKS is truly amazing” added Stewart.
(Good friends and Bell Warrior teammates, Brad Cowan and Kurtis Schaefer, both went on to play university football – Brad at Laurier and Kurtis at Queen’s. Photo: Submitted)
For 65 years, the Bell Warriors Football Club has offered football programs for boys and girls ages 7-23 in the communities of Britannia, Bayshore, Bells Corners, Crystal Beach, Richmond, Munster and Stittsville. To learn more about the Bell Warriors Football Club, go to www.bellwarriors.ca or email info@BellWarriors.ca.