A dream come true for Ticat linebacker

Nathan Kanya had an unusual childhood, though he is quick to downplay it.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he lived in Lubumbashi until the age of 6, when he and his family left for France in search of a better, safer life.

After about five years he and his family relocated again, this time to the United States for a couple years before finally settled in Hamilton during his teens. Kanya's early childhood love was soccer, but he traded it for football, playing at Cathedral High School in Hamilton, in the OVFL for the Steel City Ironmen and on a scholarship for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds before returning full circle to Hamilton, signing with the CFL's Tiger-Cats prior to the 2011 season.