(#44 Malik Yusuf played as a Linebacker for the Bell Warriors and was named Best Defensive Player for three seasons. Photo: Bell Warriors)
Paul Stewart, President of the Bell Warriors – “Malik was destined to be a football player.”
(Malik Yusuf of Stittsville has been nominated as Rookie of the Year 2020 by the Carleton Ravens. Photo: Carleton Ravens)
Dan Crabtree, Warriors Defensive Coach and Vice-President of the organization coached Malik numerous times during the years played at various age levels with the club and recalls, “Malik always had great instincts for the ball and the game. He knew where the play and ball were going and he’d get there with a purpose. He was a natural and aggressive hitter that always played at full speed.”
(Malik Yusuf during his days wearing #44 for the Bell Warriors. Photo: Bell Warriors)
During his Bantam years with the Bell Warriors, Paul Stewart was Malik’s coach. Now President of the Warriors, Stewart recollected on the years that Malik played for them. “Malik was a MVP and three time Best Defensive Player winner as a Warriors player. Unfortunately Malik had a nagging injury during his last year with our club but he was a generational player with our Warriors. His defensive assertiveness was unparalleled in the league at the time. He always had a smile on his face that only got bigger when he strapped on a helmet. Balancing playing sports at a high level and academics is a challenge for most so it is great to see Malik has become as a student-athlete at Carleton. He deserved to play USports football and it is great to see he made the leap and is thriving as a Rookie of the Year candidate for the Carleton Ravens.”
Warrior Highlights for Malik Yusuf:
- Bantam 2016 (injury at end of season) – NCAFA Western Conference Champions & A-Cup Finalists
- Bantam 2015 Best Defensive Player – NCAFA Chorney Cup Champions
- Pee Wee 2014 MVP – NCAFA A-Cup Finalists
- Mosquito 2012 Best Defensive Player – NCAFA Chorney Cup Champions
- Mosquito 2011 Best Defensive Player – NCAFA Chorney Cup Champions
Yusuf was playing for the Football North St. Joes (FNSJ) when he was drafted by Carleton University Ravens in May 2019. He played for the Sacred Heart Huskies prior to FNSJ and also played for the Ottawa Sooners. He has played as both an outside and middle linebacker. Yusuf was named the top performer at the 2017 Fox 40 Prospect Challenge.
When Malik was drafted by the Carleton Ravens, Head Coach Steve Sumarah wrote on the Ravens blog, “Malik, another great player from Ottawa has played for Team Ontario and Team Canada. Malik is one of the top athletes in the country. He has the ability to play anywhere on the field and will fit right in with Coach Polo’s scheme. Malik’s passion is easy to see on and off the field. He will be a great teammate and a playmaker for years to come!”
(The May 2019 Carleton Ravens draft poster for Malik Yusuf. Photo: Carleton Ravens)
Malik has been a dominant defensive player at every level he has played, going back to his days with the Bell Warriors, the 6’2”, 200-pound linebacker is a CFC 100 prospect and a member of Team Canada.
The Rookie of the Year will be revealed May 15th at Carleton’s virtual 2020 Ravens Football Celebration.
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, Munster, Richmond and Stittsville. To learn more about the Bell Warriors Football Club, go to www.bellwarriors.ca or email info@BellWarriors.ca.