Q&A with Vikings’ KO Kenny Onatolu

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If the name sounds familiar to you… it should. Kenny Onatolu was a CFL star before signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009. Onatolu led the Vikings in special teams tackles in 2009… with a total of 19. Kenny was one of the rare CFL players to successfully transfer to the NFL, playing from 2009-2012 in the NFL (for the Vikings and Panthers). We had the opportunity to speak with KO about his memories as a Viking, his translation to the NFL and his views of the current roster.

Q: Could you tell me about your time with the Vikings and what a favorite memory was?

1. My time with the Vikings was special. It was my first opportunity to fulfill my life long dream, and they were the ones who found me first in the Canadian Football League. My favorite memory was pretty much the entire 2009 season. It was a very special year even though we didn’t quite make it to the Super Bowl. Getting an opportunity to play with a living legend was pretty special.

Q: What do you think about the Vikings current linebacker core? Anthony Barr/Greenway/Eric Kendricks?

2. I don’t thing the Linebacker core is better than the one we had. Haha, but I do think they are very athletic, young and eager. Guys like Barr and Kendricks have been plugged right in, and are doing a heck of a job. Barr just seems like he was born to play LB. He is very smooth. I like Hodges as well – he reminds me of a young Erin Henderson with the swagger he plays with. He’s very confident in his abilities. When you have a solid vet like Audie Cole who has starting experience basically delegated to special teams, you know you have a deep linebacker core! Chad is Chad. Hardest worker I’ve ever been around, and it shows, being that he’s still playing in the NFL for his 10th year. That’s not easy to do and I really respect that.

Q: What is the difference between playing in the NFL and CFL? Which did you enjoy more?

3. The biggest difference between the NFL and CFL is talent pool. In the NFL, it’s the best of the best as it pertains to competition – where as in the CFL there is an American to Canadian born ratio. That means they can only have so many Americans on the field at one time and the Canadian born players have an automatic roster spot guaranteed. I enjoyed both leagues very much. The CFL benefited me with the amount of time off – same amount of games played but much more free time. The season was basically 6 months on and 6 months off. During the season you were only allowed in the facility four hours per day. The NFL had its benefits for the obvious reasons. Financially the rewards were far greater. Plus, like every athlete, you want to play against the best athletes in the world. So I loved getting an opportunity every Sunday to do that. The 2009 season edged out any experience I had playing in the CFL.

Q: Overall – how do you like the Vikings roster this year and how do you see them doing?

4. I think the roster is great although I admit I only know a few players personally. I think Teddy is great and has the mindset to be very good, sooner than later. Watching the team on the sideline, they seem very close and trusting of one another. I love seeing how Everson Griffin has translated from being the crazy wild young player into team captain, although I’m sure he’s still a little crazy. The roster looks deep at every position except O-line. I think by next season they will challenge Green Bay for the NFCs north crown. Rick has done very well drafting, putting together a young athletic roster and most importantly – finding the perfect head coach. Experience is the one place I see room for improvement, and you do that by playing games.

Q: What are you doing now that you’re out of the NFL? What type of work do you do? Where are you living and such?

5. I’m currently living in Omaha NE, my hometown. For work , I’m involved in real-estate investing. I also do some public speaking and I dabbled in a little coaching last year.

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