Rising up, Quentin Commanda dreamt of taking part in within the NFL and reaching the Tremendous Bowl.
The professional soccer profession by no means occurred, however Commanda is nearer to Tremendous Bowl LIX than most. On Monday, the NFL unveiled a soccer designed by the 44-year-old Nipissing First Nation (Backyard Village, Ont.) artist as a part of its lead-up to Sunday’s sport in New Orleans.
“Soccer was one thing I used to be very enthusiastic about rising up and the NFL was at all times one thing I form of imagined taking part in in,” Commanda mentioned. “However I notice this can be a big platform and an incredible alternative and I needed to make the very best of it.
“To be a part of the Tremendous Bowl, I’m very a lot conscious of the impression it’s going to have. It nonetheless would not really feel actual but.”
When NFL Canada commissioned Commanda, whose artist title is Que Rock, final fall to design an official soccer, he knew instantly how one can sort out the undertaking.
“In Anishinaabe teachings, the strawberry, o’demin, represents coronary heart and to me coronary heart is an enormous a part of soccer,” he mentioned. “I instantly noticed the wedding between the strawberry and soccer.
“Most of the methods we cross our tradition on from one technology to the subsequent is thru completely different artwork varieties. I put many layers of teachings so the primary purpose is to positively create a visible therapeutic expertise, an schooling expertise and get that dialog going.”
The design undertaking is a part of a broader partnership between NFL Canada and Soccer Canada aimed toward growing entry to the game in Indigenous communities. Commanda additionally sees it as a chance for folks to ask questions and find out about Indigenous tradition.
“Western artwork is often interpretive artwork the place Indigenous artwork is targeted on schooling,” he mentioned. “For the typical Joe seeing this for the primary time, I am hoping it is quite a lot of inspiration from many various instructions.”
A complete of fifty Tremendous Bowl footballs bearing Commanda’s design had been produced at Wilson’s manufacturing unit in Ada, Ohio, the place every NFL sport ball is handmade. A few of these balls can be displayed at NFL and Soccer Canada occasions, in addition to grassroots gatherings.
Commanda’s vibrant design integrates nature’s 4 components, the drugs wheel, and a visible land acknowledgment. He additionally famous that NFL Canada gave him inventive management, which is a rarity for him.
“I discover a lot of my purchasers often have an agenda they need and are adamant about sneaking it in,” he mentioned. “However this was one thing the place there wasn’t even a suggestion, it was actually, ‘No matter you may provide you with.’
“(NFL Canada) really mentioned sure to my first design, one thing that is additionally very uncommon.”
Commanda mentioned it took him a couple of week to do the preliminary tough sketch and, upon acceptance, one other two or three days to finish the ultimate design.
He could not be happier with the completed product.
“I’ve by no means had a undertaking make me giggle, actually give me a joyful smile,” he mentioned. “The one approach I can actually specific that, it is like a sigh of reduction however with a giggle.
“I am often actually good with describing issues however I am nonetheless quick on phrases proper now.”
A number of footballs are earmarked for the Dream Catcher Basis, a corporation based by Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Eli Ankou. Ankou was raised in Ottawa however is a member of the Ojibwe tribe by means of his mom and has household residing within the Dokis First Nation close to Sudbury, Ont.
Ankou mentioned Commanda scored a game-winning TD together with his design.
“The colors simply align, the whole lot is so intentional and I feel there is a deeper rooted message inside,” he mentioned. “I did not go into it with any expectations as a result of with something, particularly artwork, the whole lot comes from the soul, the whole lot comes from the artist himself.
“Having nothing in thoughts about what I used to be anticipating to see then seeing it, to me they’re merely lovely.”
That is music to Commanda’s ears.
“Wow, that makes me really feel superb as a result of I hadn’t actually heard something from anybody,” he mentioned. “Group is at all times about contributing … particularly for these kind of vital tasks.
“However I really feel like I am a part of an all-star workforce.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Feb, 4, 2025.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
