Obby Khan

Ibrahim "Obby" Khan (born October 8, 1980) is a former professional Canadian football centre who played for nine seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Renegades, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Calgary Stampeders.

Obby Khan
Born: (1980-10-08) October 8, 1980
Ottawa, Ontario
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)C/G/OT
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight270 lb (120 kg)
UniversitySimon Fraser
CFL draft2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
Drafted byOttawa Renegades
Career history
As player
2004–2005Ottawa Renegades
2006–2011Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2012Calgary Stampeders
Career stats
  • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)

Early years

Khan is a Muslim of Pakistani descent and was born in Ottawa where he attended Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School and played football and rugby. He played minor football for the Gloucester Dukes.

Khan played CIS football with the Simon Fraser Clan. Khan won the J. P. Metras Trophy as the top lineman in Canadian university football in 2003. Khan was one of three Canadians to participate in the 2004 East-West Shrine Game, an all-star game for graduating college players, mainly from the United States.

Professional career

Khan was selected with the second overall pick of the 2004 CFL Draft by the Ottawa Renegades and signed with the team on May 19, 2004.[1] He dressed for the Renegades during the first two games of the 2004 CFL season but did not see action. In Game 3 versus Edmonton, he saw the first live action of his CFL career. In Game 7 versus Calgary, he got the first start of his pro career at right guard. In Game 8 at BC, he started for the second time in as many weeks against the Lions. In Game 9 versus Hamilton he backed-up Mike Sutherland at right guard. He also had a special teams' tackle. In Game 10 versus Edmonton, he backed-up Alexandre Gauthier at left tackle and had a special teams' tackle. In Game 11 versus Montreal, Khan began the game as a back-up and filled in well for centre George Hudson when he went down with a back injury. He started Game 12 versus BC he started as centre against the Lions.

Khan started five of 15 games for the Ottawa Renegades in the 2005 CFL season, sitting out three games due to injury. He was one of the 'Gades most versatile offensive linemen, seeing playing time at guard, centre and tackle.

In the 2006 CFL season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers acquired Khan as their first selection in the Ottawa Dispersal Draft. He was the only member of the Blue Bombers’ offensive line to start all 18 regular season games as well as the football club’s East Semifinal contest with the Toronto Argonauts. Khan had never played centre at the pro level until being shifted there during training camp. Khan’s solid play helped running back Charles Roberts rush for a league-leading 1,609 yards on 303 carries. His contributions did not go unnoticed. Khan was named the co-winner of the CJOB Offensive Player of the Game Award in Week 8 versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He and the rest of the Bombers' offensive line turned in another performance in the East Semifinal. The Big Blue rushed for 200 yards, including 179 by Roberts, in a losing cause. Khan was recognized in the CFL’s post-season awards as the Bombers' nominee as Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

On April 25, 2012, Khan announced his retirement after eight seasons in the Canadian Football League.[2]

On August 14, 2012, the Calgary Stampeders announced that Khan had come out of retirement and signed with the team. He was released by the Stampeders on March 11, 2013.[3]

Post football career

Khan owns and operates Shawarma Khan restaurant, and a concession stand at the Investors Group Field in Winnipeg under the name Shawarma Khan In A Snap.[4] Shawarma Khan now has four locations within Winnipeg: Exchange District, Pembina Highway, Graham Avenue, and one at Investors Field. Khan also co-owns Green Carrot establishment - a fresh cold press juice company. Green Carrot also has three locations in Winnipeg: Osborne Village, Airport and at Tuxedo.

References
  1. "Khan and Azzi are on board". oursportscentral.com. Ottawa Renegades. May 19, 2004. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  2. "Bombers' C Khan announces retirement". Sportsnet. April 25, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  3. "Stamps sign four with NFL experience, release Obby Khan". Calgary Herald. March 11, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  4. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/no-mad-dash-for-concessions-211160041.html
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