Winnipeg Blue Bomber Nick Hallett visited students and staff at Killarney's Lakeside Christian School last week through the Athletes in Action initiative.
#21 Hallett plays defensive back is 6 feet and weight 195 lbs. He's the player who looks for chances to intercept, quick retrievals for a touchdown sprint, or to bag the quarterback when the opportunity strikes.
Hallett shared his story of being raised in a Christian family in Ontario, just outside of Toronto. His favorite sports throughout his school years were basketball and soccer. It was when he was in high school Nick switched his passions to football. He was getting noticed by various universities in Ontario and knew he was on the right path for a possible career. But he came to a point when wrong choices and football injuries brought him to surrender his life to the Lord.
Being accepted with the University of Toronto opened doors for Hallett but there were going to be some challenges along the way.
In the final season of university football, Hallett injured his ankle early in the season and when he got back into the game he had a concussion which set him back further.
"So, I didn't play until the last game of the season and did well but only had one and 1/2 games of film that scouts could watch," he explains. "And just at that time I was very down... I wasn't doing well in school and there was a possibility that I was going to get kicked out of school. I was really at rock bottom and that's when I said 'You know what, Lord, I give it all to you. I love football. I want to play football. But if that's not for me. If that's what you don't have in your will, then that's fine too. I'm going to trust to do whatever you have in store for me."
A peace came over the young athlete with the sense that Nick was in the hands of his Lord.
He was drafted with the Winnipeg Blue Bomber in 2019 with winning the Grey Cup as the highlight of that season. A second Grey Cup win a few years later, and the blessings continued.
A year ago, in February Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced the club's agreement on new contracts for Canadian brothers and defensive backs Nick and Noah Hallett. Nick has signed a two-year deal while younger brother, Noah was on board for one more season.
Nick Hallett attributes his success to his speed, grit and determination. "I never really give up on a play. I always try and chase it down and help the team whatever the team needs," he says. "As defensive back I try and cover the wide receivers, try and stop the runs and stop the pass. A lot of my highlights are on special teams, blocking punts or making tackles on special teams. So, that's kind of the way I've made my name."
Being a member of Athletes in Action gives Hallett the opportunity to give back to his fans and his Manitoba community as a whole, which brings him to the community of Killarney.
"This year, this off-season I felt personally God telling me to give back more and to do more," the 31-year-old defensive back explains. "I've been given a place where I'm very blessed and maybe have a little bit of influence. I may not be a star athlete, but I may have a little bit of influence being on the Bombers. I just want to give back any way I can."