For Beck Fullerton and Ryan Ewashko, football is the tie that binds.
Since first playing community football together in Winnipeg well over a decade ago, the two have remained the closest of pals.
害羞草研究所淲e just became best friends over the game, just the love of the game,害羞草研究所� said Fullerton, 21. 害羞草研究所淎ll we do is play Madden (NFL video game), talk about football and work out. It害羞草研究所檚 been a football specific relationship for such a long time.害羞草研究所�
Not surprisingly, football has helped reunite the two defensive backs, who both took to the field last weekend at the Okanagan Sun害羞草研究所檚 2017 spring camp.
A BC Football Conference all-star last year and a key leader on defense, Fullerton is heading into his fifth and final season with the Sun.
Ewashko attended the Sun害羞草研究所檚 spring camp three years ago but a job opportunity pushed him to put his football career on hold.
Now, in his final year of junior football eligibility, Ewashko is excited about the prospects of returning to Kelowna and playing football again with his closest friend.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 so nice to come back, a great atmosphere, I think it害羞草研究所檚 the best place in Canada to be, and I love the Sun family,害羞草研究所� said Ewashko, who trains with Fullerton during the off-season. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 excited to be with (Beck) again for his last year here, and my last chance to play, too.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 trying to learn from Beck, picking his brain as much as I can,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 an amazing player and knows the game so well.害羞草研究所�
Despite Ewashko being at arm害羞草研究所檚 length from football for a couple of seasons, Fullerton is confident his friend has all the tools to adapt.
害羞草研究所淗e has the skill, the brain, we害羞草研究所檝e just got to put it together,害羞草研究所� Fullerton said of Ewashko, a league all-star in his last season of high school football in Winnipeg. 害羞草研究所淗e hasn害羞草研究所檛 played football for a couple of years but it doesn害羞草研究所檛 show out there.
害羞草研究所淗e was making a lot of plays (at spring camp) and doing really well for himself.害羞草研究所�
Fullerton believes his game will also benefit from Ewashko害羞草研究所檚 presence, input and support.
害羞草研究所淭he chemistry is always there, I know I can trust him, I know he understands what he needs to do,害羞草研究所� Fullerton said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 nice to have that little bit of extra support from your best friend, just pushing you day-in and day-out.害羞草研究所�
As for Fullerton害羞草研究所檚 role this season, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive back knows he害羞草研究所檒l be relied on by the coaching staff, both on and off the field.
害羞草研究所淚 definitely feel like I害羞草研究所檓 in a different role that requires a lot more responsibility, I害羞草研究所檝e met with coaches about it, they害羞草研究所檝e helped me along and shown me the ropes,害羞草研究所� Fullerton said. 害羞草研究所淚 think I害羞草研究所檓 taking it in stride, I害羞草研究所檓 just doing my best to keep everyone fired up, high energy and just happy害羞草研究所f you害羞草研究所檙e happy on the field, you害羞草研究所檙e making plays and it害羞草研究所檚 good for everyone.害羞草研究所�
If all goes as planned, Ewashsko will join Fullerton on the club害羞草研究所檚 opening night roster when the Sun hosts the Westshore Rebels on Saturday, July 29 at the Apple Bowl.
