Injuries behind, Patrice Rene is back on track with the B.C. Lions

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He fit the NFL profile. Big, strong, fast, aggressive. It’s why he had 40 scholarship offers coming out of high school. It’s why he was a regular starter for the UNC Tar Heels.

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Ottawa’s Patrice Rene was a baby blue-clad, blue chip prospect, a 6-foot-2, 206 pound defensive back who could run a 4.6 second 40-yard dash. Safety size with a defensive back’s speed and quickness.

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He was until a collision with a UNC teammate in his senior year left him with a torn ACL in 2019, costing him one season before COVID-19 burned the next. The NFL didn’t come calling, but the CFL did, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafting him 21st overall in 2021.

And then, on just the second kickoff coverage assignment of his pro career, he planted his foot on the Winnipeg turf and blew out his knee. Season, done. His release came when the dust settled on the 2022 campaign.

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The Haitian-born Rene wasn’t a blue-chip prospect anymore. Now he was an injury risk, a player with a history of surgeries — it was three, for the record. Two weeks before camps opened in 2023, he finally got a call.

“A lot of teams were a little concerned and kind of wanted me to come work out. But B.C. just was like, ‘Hey, we know what you can do, and as long as you say you’re healthy, we want to bring you on-board,” said Rene. “I kind of came in with an open mind. I just wanted to have an opportunity to contribute in the best way I could, whether that was special teams or defence.”

He spent last season on special teams, sitting one tackle off the team lead for special teams tackles, while learning the system from veterans like Garry Peters and T.J. Lee. Challenged by the coaches to step up this season, Rene had a standout camp no matter where he lined up — halfback, linebacker and safety — earned a starting role.

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“I feel like he deserved that (chance),” said defensive co-ordinator Ryan Phillips. “Eager is one word to describe him. He wants to be able to be an asset to the defence. He wants to be able to show that he could be a contributor to the team outside of just being a special-teamer.

“It’s hard to find a guy that’s 6-2, 205, 210 pounds that can run around like that, be able to blitz and still be able to cover and have some range. Those guys aren’t just walking around out there.

“He took advantage of opportunity. It’s been paying off.”

Through four games, the first-year starter has 14 tackles, fifth overall on the Lions, sitting behind the two run-stopping middle linebackers, an All Star corner and the team’s 2023 Outstanding Rookie nominee. Pretty good company.

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The Lions (3-1) now head to Hamilton to take on the Ticats (0-4) on Sunday, a team that might be winless but ranks second in passing offence behind B.C.

Bo-Levi Mitchell has more attempts (113), completions (166) and touchdowns (eight) than any other CFL quarterback this year, though he’s second in overall yards to Lions QB Vernon Adams Jr. He’s also tied for the league lead in interceptions (five).

Hamilton running back James Butler is expected back from his concussion to suit up against his former team, another threat to run and catch balls out of the backfield.

It will be a stiff test for the B.C. defence, which currently sits second in fewest yards against overall, but for Rene, it’s just another opportunity. The road he’s taken has taught him that.

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“It’s all about resiliency,” he said. “As I kid, I was taught to work and that’s all I know. Work ethic and grinding. And this is what I love to do. I don’t think there’s a better job out there.

“As an athlete, you not only want to be a part of the team, but you want to contribute to the team. It’s one thing being a part of a team and having the jersey, but it’s another situation of being out there and actually helping, contributing, making plays and making a difference.

“It’s just sticking to it whatever path that may be. I always had a vision of playing football and that’s always been my goal is just to play as long as I could … This opportunity that I got, I’m grateful for it, but I don’t see (myself) letting it go.”

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