By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Quebecer Matthieu Proulx is living the same dream as every young football player in the province. MontrealAlouettes.com spoke to #20 and found out what it means to him to put on the Alouettes jersey every week.
Do you feel a special sense of pride whenever you put on the Alouettes uniform?
Absolutely. I was extremely excited when I was drafted by the Als in 2005 (round 1, fifth overall). I have a lot of family living around the area, which makes it really easy for them to come watch me play whenever we’re in town. I feel like I represent the French community who follow the team and I appreciate that role considering I’ve been a fan myself since I started playing football when I was younger.
Being a Québécois on the only professional football team in the province, I understand the role I have in the community and the media exposure that comes with it. I’ve always been proud to be an Alouette and hope to play my entire career in this city.
Being a lawyer, do you find it difficult to balance your football responsibilities with your law responsibilities?
I’ve always worked real hard and have had great support from my family, friends, teachers and coaches along the way. But there have been some sacrifices throughout my journey. It’s sometimes very difficult but I believe that when you do something you love, every difficult moment seems like a challenge instead of an obstacle.
Do you do anything interesting during the off-season?
Haha, this question fits perfectly with the previous one! Because I’m always looking to improve for the upcoming season, I train really hard every day so I can be in the best shape possible. I also work full-time at a law firm (Marchand Melançon Forget) as a commercial litigator. As you can imagine, this covers a big part of my schedule. But when I do find some time off, I love skiing with my wife and friends.
