August 4, 2011
Rose Mary Phillip
ESKS.com
Hugo Lopez probably shouldn’t be in the CFL.
A career as a non-import defensive back was pretty farfetched for the native of Nicaragua whose parents refused to support football and whose college career was rocked by a steroid scandal.
Hard times
In 1987, Lopez’ dad, a doctor, couldn’t find work in their hometown of Leon, Nicaragua, an area ripe with political strife. He moved the family south to the wealthier and more politically stable Costa Rica in search of a better life.
No such luck. Eventually the family settled in Toronto.
Half way through grade nine, Lopez moved to Naples, Florida, to live with relatives when his dad temporarily returned to Nicaragua. Enter football.
Playing pro? Fat chance.
His parents would not support what they considered a pipe dream financially or otherwise.
“My dad is big on the books. [He] thought football was a distraction from that,” says Lopez. “The chances of making it pro are slim for everybody. It wasn’t realistic to them but it was to me.”
Besides, even if he didn’t make it pro, football was providing a much-needed distraction from home life.
“I went through a lot of personal issues and football was my escape. The only thing I had to worry about was what was on the field. Everything back home, I forgot that. It’s my get-a-way, my vacation from my issues. It was my Zen I’d say.”
Too bad for Lopez football isn’t free and Zen doesn’t pay any bills.
“I found any job so I could to get where I am today. I worked at factories. I worked construction, landscape, everything,” says Lopez.
Student, “daddy,” and DB
When high school ended he reunited with his family in Ontario. His parents were going through a divorce so Lopez stepped in to help raise his younger sister, Gabriella.
He filled in as a part-time father figure while attending the University of Waterloo, a school he chose because of their academic reputation. He could play football and a get as solid education to fall back on.
Steroid abuse suspends season
By 2010, Lopez had spent three years with the Waterloo Warriors building a name as a standout defensive back when the largest steroid investigation in Canadian university history brought his career to a grinding halt.
A Warriors receiver was arrested for possession and trafficking anabolic steroids that turned up during a police search for stolen goods. Lopez and his 60+ teammates were immediately tested for performance enhancing drugs. Nine tested positive for potential abuse.
“One of my friends called me and left a messaging saying that something serious happened,” says Lopez. “For a second, I thought I took a protein or something that was banned.”
The school suspended the football program for one year. Players who came up clear were given the option of transferring to the University of Toronto.
What to do? Lopez could wait for football to resume at Waterloo putting his potential pro career on hold for a year or more or move on and continue toward the CFL draft as planned.
Despite some pressure from teammates to stick it out, he opted for the latter. It worked it out. He saw more field action at U of T and his confidence and abilities grew.
A new chapter in Eskimo history
When Lopez was selected in the second round of the 2011 CFL draft (14th overall), it was a dream come true. The hard work, time and energy he put into his improbable goal had paid off.
Lopez is now part of a team ushering in a new chapter in Eskimo history.
As the Esks prepare to take on Winnipeg and continue their thus far perfect record, Lopez takes inspiration from his idol legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
“The way he works out of the ring and puts it into the ring when it comes to the fight, I idolize that. I try to do that.”