Over the course of Black History Month, McGill Athletics and Recreation will be profiling student-athletes about what it means to them and how growing up as a person of colour affected who they are today. They will also discuss the success they've achieved both on and off the field of play.  
 
Meet Joshua Archibald, a member of the McGill University football team, who never played the sport before his senior year at Selwyn House School but is a legitimate candidate to become the fourth McGill player to merit a roster spot in the National Football League. The 22-year-old economics senior from Montreal is an imposing 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end who has been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a true litmus test for scouts in both the NFL and Canadian Football League.
 
"He's arguably the best defensive end in our league and if our 2020 season wasn't cancelled, I think that Josh would've been invited to a game like the East-West Shrine Bowl, a showcase for NFL scouts," says McGill head coach Ronald Hilaire. "Statistically speaking, with his size, speed and smarts, he's what they're looking for at the NFL level. If he gets invited to an NFL combines camp, I believe that he has a good shot to make it at that level because he will be faster than most players."
 
A terror everywhere on the field, Archibald had a stellar junior season with McGill in 2019, earning RSEQ all-star honours and receiving the Vic Obeck trophy as the team's most improved player. He was credited with 27 tackles in eight regular season contests, 19 of them solo, including 9.5 tackles for losses and 5.5 quarterback sacks. He added four knockdowns and a nation-leading four forced fumbles. Selected to play in the 2020 East-West Bowl, a U SPORTS showcase for CFL prospects, the opportunity was shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.
 
"I consider myself a good player with a lot of potential," Archibald says. "A lot of things are out of my hands but the only thing that I can control is my work ethic. The rest is up to the man above. But all things considered, I think that I have a fair shot at the NFL."

Archibald is a deep thinker who has numerous options down the highway of life.
 
"Honestly, I would love to go pro, it's one of the goals at the top of my list right now," he states. "But I always like setting myself up for a Plan B or Plan C in case it doesn't work out. I try to put a heavy focus on academics and make sure that I do well in school. I'm up to date with everything, so if pro football doesn't work out, I have something to fall back on. I think that should be the focus of a lot of college players, whether they play (here) or D1 in the United States.
 
"I've always loved entrepreneurship. I had a painting business for two years and am now running a lighting business. I've also been interested in real estate and learning about finance and smart ways of managing money.  After playing football, whether it be in the CFL or NFL, if you know how to manage your money, it can last a lot longer than most people think… My economics background has given me a good base but I also like reading books and following the news. I like learning, it's been a passion of mine."
 
When asked what Black History Month means to him, Archibald was just as passionate.
 
"It means a great deal to me," he says. "It represents a time to reflect and honour the contributions of our Black communities around the world. Black accomplishments throughout history, the way they're taught, are often neglected."
 
Among his personal favourite authors is Carter G. Woodson, a renowned 19th century American historian, one of the first scholars to study the history of the African diaspora and regarded as the father of Black history.
 
"He really emphasized and acknowledged Black accomplishments at a time when people really thought that history had nothing to do with Black people, mostly because it wasn't taught," Archibald says. "He published numerous scholarly books on the positive contributions of Blacks to the development of America. He was able to educate the uninformed and was a large part of the reason why we dedicated a month to honour Black successes.
 
"For me, the most important part of this month is to remember that history is being made every day. Look at the news, injustices are still happening. The Black Lives Matter movement right now is the revolution that our ancestors proselytized about for years. Honestly, I think that the book is currently being written and this is the time to make Black history because it's still happening."
 
That said, Archibald senses that things are moving in the right direction on the McGill campus.
 
"I really don't think there's any (major issues) around McGill. The campus is fairly multicultural in a (diversified) city. I'm very thankful for our country and what we stand for when it comes to our culture. I think that McGill is pretty good with this stuff, especially in our football locker room. We're getting closer and closer. There really aren't any cliques, everybody loves each other for who they are. It's really a brotherhood and I wouldn't have it any other way."

SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
E-MAIL: earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca