Longueillois Dariel Djabome did not wait until he began his career in professional football before giving back to his community.
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The Rutgers University Scarlet Knights linebacker just finished his college career and is considered the seventh-best prospect for the 2026 draft by the Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau, in addition to being on the radar for the NFL draft.
Back in Quebec during the holiday season last December, he organized the distribution of 140 meals to families in need across Longueuil. This is an initiation orchestrated by the Djabome Foundation, launched by the footballer and his family last summer.
“We wanted to give back to our community,” says Dariel Djabome in a telephone interview held between two training sessions in California.
“It’s close to my heart, because the community has always supported me. There is a lack of this type of initiative on the South Shore of Montreal. I want to show the next generation that anything is possible. I want them to know that no matter what circumstances you start your life in, you can choose your own path.”
“The community gave us everything and the only way to say thank you is to give back,” adds Rossini, Dariel’s older brother and president of the Djabome Foundation.
In addition to making gestures like the one in December, the Djabome family initiative organizes a multitude of events to raise funds for the Montreal General Hospital Foundation for a project related to mental health.
The NFL in the viewfinder
On a sporting level, Dariel Djabome has just had a very good final season in the NCAA. He made 71 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games. He was recently invited to the Hula Bowl, a game organized annually and featuring prospects in front of NFL and CFL recruiters.
“I’m training hard right now and I hope to receive an invitation to the NFL recruiting camp,” says the 22-year-old athlete.
Djabome said he was honored to be among the top prospects for the next CFL draft. However, he aims to make his place in the NFL before thinking about the possibility of returning home to wear the colors of one of the nine teams on the Canadian circuit.
“I play football for my family and that is the biggest motivation. I’m aiming for the NFL, because I want to play in the best league in the world,” he said.
Djabome will soon know if his efforts will allow him to showcase himself from February 23 to March 2, in Indianapolis, Combine of the NFL. The Goodell circuit draft will take place from April 23 to 25, while the CFL draft is scheduled for April 28.
