Esks.com Staff

EDMONTON -- Eskimo offensive lineman Patrick Kabongo has taken on a new role with the Green and Gold. Patrick recently started his job in the Eskimo sales office. We caught up with Pat during one of his much-deserved breaks to get the scoop.

Q: How did you spend the holidays?
A: I went to Montreal, hung out with my family which was awesome. I ate a bunch, saw old friends and some of my old coaches. Then I went to Portland, Oregon for New Years to hang out with my best friends from University. I went to the ocean, Pacific City. Although it was bad weather the whole time, I got to see the ocean. I also shopped a little bit, which I never get to do.

Q: You've made Edmonton your year-round home. How often do you get back to Montreal to visit family?
A: I get back once or twice a year. I have two aunts, a sister, a couple uncles and lots of cousins there.

Q: What was the first job you ever had?
A: Believe it or not, it was selling popsicles on one of those bikes. It was in the summer back when I was 11 or 12 years old. But you know what? Every day when I came back to turn in my popsicles and money I was always short because I always ate a couple popsicles while I was riding.

Q: Tell us about your first couple of weeks in this new job with the Esks?
A: I'm really, really enjoying my new job. I look forward to going out to sell new tickets. Anyone out there who wants tickets, please call me. I would love to sell you some tickets. I also got to learn the computer system we use. And we'll be going out a lot door-to-door (belly-to-belly) to meet people and see their faces. Hopefully we'll get out to a lot of industrial areas. So please be nice to us when we come to see you. I will also still be doing a lot of stuff in the community.

Q: What do you like most about your new role?
A: I think I like to dress up. It feels different. Most days I wear sweats, a t-shirt and flip flops to go work-out or whatever. I like dressing up. And I like meeting with lots of people and getting to have lunch with different people. My favourite thing to do is to hang out with Shannon Garrett after work at Earls or Joeys for happy hour.

Q: Compare your football work day to your office work day?
A: Well they are actually very similar. I still have to be here by 8:30 or 9:00am, just like football. And in the morning I have a meeting with my manager, just like how we meet with our coaches. We discuss our Game Plan for the day and what we need to do to win games or sell tickets. My practice here is to meet people, sell tickets and build strong relationships in the community.