'IT'S ABOUT THE TEAM:' Ottawa Redblacks running back Khalan ...

9 days ago

Ottawa Citizen

I thought about everything it took to get here. It all happened within about 10 seconds."

Published Sep 07, 2024 • Last updated 43 minutes ago • 1 minute read

Ottawa Redblacks - Figure 1 — Photo Ottawa Citizen

Redblacks running back Khalan Laborn breaks through the Argonauts defence during Saturday's game at TD Place. Photo by Freestyle Photography /HANDOUT

Khalan Laborn stood in the locker room nearly half an hour after the Ottawa Redblacks had pummelled the Toronto Argonauts 41-27 and was asked about his 33-yard third-quarter touchdown run.

With microphones in front of him, answering questions from media, Laborn laughed, soaked in the moment and thought about what he had done in his first Canadian Football League game. Replacing Ryquell Armstead, who had been released earlier in the week, Laborn had 10 carries for 47 yards as the starting running back.

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But it wasn’t that or the touchdown that made Laborn happiest. With a superb effort from the Redblacks’ offensive line and with Laborn and Jamal Morrow helping, quarterback Dru Brown was not sacked by the Argos.

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“I love protecting (the quarterback) more than anything,” Laborn said. “It’s way bigger than the touchdown. It’s not about me, it’s about the team. It’s a team game, it’s a team sport.”

On the touchdown, Laborn took a handoff from Brown, started running right, but then cut back hard left and broke outside.

“I just trusted my eyes, trusted my body, trusted my protectors and trusted my speed,” said Laborn, who has also been with the Edmonton Elks and the Argos in the past year. “I just wanted to make sure I ran through the paint. I made sure I didn’t try to do anything crazy and drop the ball before the goal line.

“(After he scored), it was a flash. I thought about everything it took to get here. It all happened within about 10 seconds.”

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