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Valentin Gnahoua

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Valentin Gnahoua
No. 94     Paris Musketeers (ELF)
Gnahoua before a Tiger-Cats game in 2019
Born: (1994-09-29) September 29, 1994 (age 30)
Le Mans, France
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusGlobal
Position(s)Defensive end
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight235 lb (107 kg)
UniversityMcGill
CFL draft2019 Euro, round: 1, pick: 1
Career history
As player
2011–2016; 2017Caïmans 72 du Mans [fr]
2017Berlin Rebels
2018Blue Stars de Marseille [fr]
2018Berlin Rebels
2019–2022Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2023*Saskatchewan Roughriders
2023Paris Musketeers
2023Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2024–Paris Musketeers
Career stats
Total tackles12
Sacks0
Interceptions0
Valentin Gnahoua
Medal record
Men's American football
Representing  France
World Games
Gold medal – first place 2017 Wrocław Team
European Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Austria Team
European Junior Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Germany Team

Valentin Gnahoua (born September 29, 1994) is a French professional gridiron football defensive end for the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football (ELF). He was the first overall pick by the Tiger-Cats in the 2019 European CFL Draft. Gnahoua has also been a member of the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League (GFL), the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL)

Early years

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Gnahoua began playing American football in 2011, joining a local semi-pro team, the Caïmans 72 du Mans [fr], as a sixteen-year old.[1] He was drawn to the sport after watching a National Football League game on television with his cousin and had his first practice with the Caïmans three days later.[2][3] Without any cleats of his own, he first practiced in Air Jordans.[4]

In 2016, he arrived in Canada, playing one season of collegiate football for the McGill Redmen before a sudden increase in international student tuition forced him to return to France.[5] In his sole season at McGill, he played nine games and recorded 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.[6]

Professional career

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Return to France and Berlin Rebels

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Gnahoua rejoined the Caïmans 72 du Mans in France in 2017, playing well enough early on in the campaign to get signed by the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League (GFL) midway through the 2017 GFL season.[7] In seven games that season, he registered 25 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.[8] Gnahoua began the 2018 season with the Blue Stars de Marseille [fr] in France, helping them reach the league semifinals, before returning to the Berlin Rebels to finish the 2018 GFL season.[8]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

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In 2019, he was announced as one of the 18 European players invited to the 2019 CFL Combine in Toronto.[9] The following month, in April, he was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the first overall pick in the inaugural European CFL draft, part of commissioner Randy Ambrosie's initiative to grow the league's presence internationally.[10][11] He began the season as a member of the practice squad,[12] but made his debut during their week 9 matchup against the BC Lions on August 10, recovering an onside kick that led to a second-quarter field goal in the 35-34 victory.[13] The Tiger-Cats reached the 107th Grey Cup, where they lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Gnahoua signed a contract extension with the Tiger-Cats on December 29, 2020.[14] He was placed on the suspended list on July 19, 2021, but was later activated and played in the first regular season game of 2021.[15][16]

Gnahoua became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 14, 2023.[17] In three seasons with the team, he played 38 games and recorded one defensive tackle, 11 special teams tackles, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt.[6]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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On February 17, 2023, it was announced that Gnahoua had signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[18] During training camp, he was released by the team on May 17 to reach the 75-man roster limit.[19]

Paris Musketeers

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On June 15, 2023, Gnahoua signed with the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football.[6] He was cut in mid-July, prior to their week 7 matchup.[20]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (second stint)

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On July 10, 2023, Gnahoua re-signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a member of their practice roster.[4][21] He was subsequently released on November 5.

Paris Musketeers (second stint)

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In 2024, Gnahoua returned to the Paris Musketeers.

National team career

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After a successful tryout at age 16, Gnahoua was selected to the France national under-19 team and subsequently played at the 2012 IFAF U-19 World Championship in Austin, Texas.[4][22] He helped the team win a bronze medal at the 2013 European Junior Championship. Gnahoua made his debut for the senior national team in 2014, helping France win a bronze medal at the European Championship held in Austria.[22][23] He was called up again the following year for the 2015 IFAF World Championship, held in Canton, Ohio.[24] Gnahoua led France to a gold medal at the 2017 World Games.

Personal life

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His father was a professional association football (soccer) player who was a member of the Ivory Coast national football team and played professionally in France, where Valentin was born.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Kadler, Anne (January 1, 2019). "Valentin Gnahoua verlängert in Berlin" (in German). american-football.com. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  2. ^ a b O'Leary, Chris (April 11, 2019). "Anticipation mounts for Thursday's European draft – Valentin Gnahoua can't wait". American Football International. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Lemoult-Emmler, Thomas (August 20, 2023). "Foot US. Pro au Canada, Valentin Gnahoua a cassé les codes". Ouest-France (in French). Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "LES BLEUS DE L'ÉTRANGER, ÉPISODE 2 AVEC VALENTIN GNAHOUA" (in French). Fédération Française de Football Américain. October 30, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Barnes, Dan (April 9, 2019). "Interview with Tiger-Cats has French defensive lineman excited about CFL's European draft". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "ELF: Paris Musketeers sign French DE Valentin Gnahoua". American Football International. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "BERLIN REBELS GFL SENIORS- VERSTÄRKUNG FÜR DIE DEFENSE" (in German). German Football League. June 22, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Sellmann, Thomas (January 20, 2019). "Gnahoua und Boone verlängern" (in German). football-aktuell.de. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "CFL invites 18 players from international countries to national combine". 3 Down Nation. March 14, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  10. ^ Ralph, Dan (April 11, 2019). "Valentin Gnahoua top pick by Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL European draft". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  11. ^ "French DL Valentin Gnahoua 1st player selected in CFL European Draft". American Football International. April 11, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  12. ^ Smith, Josh (June 11, 2019). "Assessing the Ticats training camp cuts and regular season roster". 3 Down Nation. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  13. ^ Ralph, Dan (August 10, 2019). "Brandon Banks' late TD grab rallies Hamilton Tiger-Cats past B.C. Lions 35-34". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  14. ^ "Ticats extend four Canadians, one Global". CFL.ca. December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  15. ^ "Tiger-Cats add three players to training camp roster". TiCats.ca. July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  16. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  17. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  18. ^ "Riders add global defensive lineman Valentin Gnahoua". Saskatchewan Roughriders. February 17, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders announce 10 cuts to roster". Regina Leader-Post. May 17, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  20. ^ Hanswillemenke, Tim (July 13, 2023). "Weekly Roster Moves – Galaxy activate QB Sullivan and more". European League of Football. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "Hamilton Tiger-Cats bring back former No. 1 Global pick Valentin Gnahoua". TSN. July 10, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "VALENTIN GNAHOUA ET LES TIGER-CATS D'HAMILTON DISPUTERONT LA GREY CUP À DOMICILE" (in French). Fédération Française de Football Américain. December 11, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  23. ^ "Valentin, Jean-Amour, Courtlin et les autres". Maville.com [br] (in French). April 3, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "Football américain. C'est l'Amérique pour deux Caïmans 72 !". Maville.com [br] (in French). July 7, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
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