OTTAWA, ON — With a little over five minutes left in Kalil Pimpleton's Canadian Football League Debut, the former 'Hard Knocks' star took a crossing route 70 yards to the endzone.
"What a way to start...my CFL career," said Pimpleton, 25. "That was just the start of just the beginning. I feel that I have a lot more to prove."
Pimpleton tallied 153 yards and a touchdown en route to Ottawa's 37-34 win over the Elks.
The former Muskegon football star played ball at Central Michigan and then made the training camp roster for the Detroit Lions.
After getting cut by Detroit, he was also cut by the Giants, paving the path of a year-long journey to the Canadian Football League.
"Trust the process. That is just what I've been doing," Pimpleton said. "You have to remain confident."
"That's always been a dream of mine...was to play professional ball. I knew that my dream didn't stop in Detroit, and I knew that it wouldn't stop in New York, either."
Pimpleton's love for football was developed as early as he could remember. Muskegon High School's big red tradition only cultivated his love for football more.
"Everybody wants to be a big red," Pimpleton said.
"I like that chip on my shoulder. I like being that underdog that people...they look at like, 'man, he's small, but, you know, he played big. He got a big heart," he said.
Pimpleton is only 25 and has been through multiple pro leagues and teams. His legacy is one that he hopes is guided by his faith.
"When people look at me, I want to redirect them back to the Lord...when it's all said and done... when people look at me, I hope that they can look at me... and see the glory...and see the love of God you know, shining right through me," he said.
Pimpleton is not putting a return to the NFL on the shelf, either.
"Won't shut the door on the NFL," Pimpleton said. "If I ever have to make that decision I would weigh all the options you know, and I continue to trust in the Lord that you know whatever decision I make, you know is for his will."