VANCITY® INTERVIEWS BC LIONS STARTING LINEBACKER JORDAN HERDMAN

Posted by Joshua Jackai on 7th Sep 2018

VANCITY® INTERVIEWS BC LIONS STARTING LINEBACKER JORDAN HERDMAN

"To have things that others don’t, you have to do things that others won’t." - JORDAN HERDMAN

BC LIONS STARTING LINEBACKER

SFU BIOMEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY GRADUATE

2015-2016 GNAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

NCAA D2 ALL AMERICAN HONOURS

In the field of education, Jordan Herdman graduated from Simon Fraser University’s Biomedical Physiology program with a 3.99 GPA (with the intent to pursue medical school to become a Physician). On the football field Jordan, was the GNAC back to back Defensive Player of the Year in 2015-2016. Jordan Herdman holds the all-time record in tackles (428), assisted tackles (223) and the GNAC single game records with 26 tackles and 17 solo stops, while also earning honours of a NCAA D2 All American. We sat down with Jordan because of his extra-ordinary story and the immense amount of impact he has made in Vancity. Check out the QA below to learn more about Jordan and his once in a lifetime drive!

Vancity Original® interviews BC Lions Starting Linebacker and Simon Fraser University Scholar Alumni, Jordan Herdman.

Tell us who you are and what do you do?

"My name is Jordan Herdman and I am a professional football player for the BC lions in the CFL."

Being that you aren’t originally from here, can you tell us how you ended up in Vancity?

"I was born and raised in Winnipeg. In my senior year of high school I was recruited to play football and attend school at Simon Fraser University. SFU offered me an academic and athletic scholarship. SFU is a great school for academics and played football in the NCAA. So I decided to come out and have been in Vancity ever since!"

From what we heard you have a reputation of excelling in the classroom, and in sports, can you tell us what motivates you?

"My parents are my motivation. I grew up in low income housing in Winnipeg and we didn’t have much but I watched my mother and father work hard everyday to provide for the family. They motivated me to give my best effort in everything I did regardless of the circumstances. So that one day I can give back to them for all that they did for me."

It seems like you have mastered balance, can you share with us how you stay disciplined?

"You got to make sure you stay focused. The brain can only focus on one thing at a time. So when I was on the field I made sure all my attention and effort was on football. When I was in the classroom I made sure all my attention was on studying. There is only 24 hours in a day. Your focus and how you manage your time is very important. I believe people who don’t get distracted and are most productive with their 24 hours are most successful."

It’s clear that you are extremely driven and working towards something, so what are your ultimate goals?

"I aspire to have a long football career and become a doctor one day, so I can take care of my family financially and help people. But my ultimate goal is just to be the greatest version of myself. I don’t try to be better than anybody else. I just try to be better than I was yesterday."

Graduating from Simon Fraser University and now play for the BC Lions can you tell us how the city has been monumental to your growth?

"Vancity has become my home away from home. When I first came out here I was 18 years old, just a young kid out of high school with a dream of one day playing professional football. The city gave me an opportunity to chase my dreams and it helped shape me into the man I am today. It showed me that with hard work and dedication anything is possible. I earned my degree in biomedical physiology in this city and started my professional football career in this city."

It’s clear that you’ve been extremely successful, but we know that doesn’t come easily so tell us, what has been your biggest failure, and what did it teach you?

"There is going to come a time when your going to fail or have a setback. When I was younger I didn’t have enough money to go to football camps or even college. Instead of Letting this obstacle stop me I embraced it and used it as extra motivation to work harder on the field and in the classroom. I learned that failure was actually an opportunity to grow and become stronger. This setback taught me hard work and earned me a academic and athletic scholarship to SFU."

What would you tell somebody who wants to achieve what you have achieved?

"I would first say have a VISION of what you want to achieve. Actually see yourself in possession of it before it actually happens. Then I would say have a PLAN to make this vision happen. Be disciplined in your plan and engage in consistent action. Invest some time each day day until your dream comes true. Lastly, I would say, just GRIND. If it was easy everybody would do it. Be willing to put in the extra work, the extra hours, take the extra step. To have things that others don’t you have to do things that others won’t. You only get one chance at life so make the most of it."

Interview by Joshua Jackai

Photos by Justin Jung

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