U of T Blues Defensive End James Bodanis Tackles Life Head On

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LE Newsletter - August 26, 2010

U of T Blues Defensive End James Bodanis Tackles Life Head On

Source: www.thestar.com - David Grossman

(August 23, 2010) Nineteen-year-old James Bodanis, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive end with the U of T

Blues, shares a special bond with his 17-year-old autistic brother Jake, right.

With 275 pounds molded on to a 6-foot-5 frame, James Bodanis was seemingly chipped out of granite to play football, sculpted to the specs of university scouts.

However, at 19, Bodanis is relatively new to the game. The gridiron had to wait because he has always known a more important way to come up big.

Forget making an impression as a raw rookie defensive end at the University of Toronto. Bodanis has already had a lifetime of impact through his devotion to his autistic brother Jake.

Despite his outsized presence, it’s what you can’t measure with a weigh scale or stopwatch that is most impressive about the teenager and his real life guardian role.

His parents, David and Irene, say their oldest son has been like a third parent.

“If I could have built a son, I couldn’t have asked for more — James has kept our family together, he’s the glue and foundation that has done far more than anyone would believe,” said David, a 44-year-old insurance broker.

James’ relationship with 17-year-old Jake is quite exceptional — as it is with 14-year-old brother Jonathan. There’s everything from playing catch in the park and going for walks to excursions to Canada’s Wonderland. Hugs and high-fives between the brothers are frequent.

From the time he was 4 years old, James has pitched in to help with his brother. He was 14 before he asked his parents if he could play competitive sports with his friends, though he never let it interfere with helping Jake.

“He’s my brother and I’d do anything for him — even if that means quitting sports,” said James.

Now in university, James has the demands to excel in the classroom, looking toward a career in business or finance. Then there’s the commitment to his new teammates on the football field, a part-time job, and a girlfriend as well. It doesn’t leave a lot of down time.

But finding time to be with Jake and Jonathan is still a top priority. Last week, during a photo shoot for this story, the playful, caring bond between the brothers was clearly evident as they tossed a football around after Blues practice.

James has told his parents that he sees himself taking care of his brothers for the rest of his life and his dream home would have a swimming pool and video games for his brothers.

“So many families end up in crisis, and I guess there was some fear on our part on what would occur to our kids if something happened to us as parents,” said David. “When things got a bit stressful or we got tired, James was always there. We have put extraordinary expectations on him and he has surpassed them all. Never once has he complained.”

Until a few years ago, James’ main sports interest was hockey and he was playing Provincial Junior A in Ajax.

In his last year of high school at Toronto’s Chaminade College, though, there was some pressure from buddies who thought his size — combined with quickness and agility — would be a plus for the school football team.

James only played one game for the school, but after pursuing a grassroots football combine, tacked on six more games this summer with the Etobicoke Eagles and helped them make the conference final in the Ontario Varsity Football League.

Now he’s wearing the colours of U of T, which opens its university football season next week. And the inspiration for James continues to come from Jake.

“Sure I want to do well, getting a chance at U of T and playing a sport that I now really like. But far too many times, people take things in life for granted. For me, I feel like I’m playing for (Jake) — because he won’t get that chance.”

In 2004, the family, with the help of friends, set up Jake’s House — a Toronto-based charity created to help children and families dealing with the challenges of autism. Forty events have involved 25,000 people with major support from hockey icons Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Don Cherry.

The Legends Program is one of the marquee events where a child with autism is matched up with a mentor who devotes four hours a week for one year.

“I don’t look at (Jake) being any different,” said James. “To me, he’s normal. I treat him as if he was just another kid.”

James’ link to U of T came through Matt Marquardt, a former Toronto Star high school football all-star, who launched a combine to seek out talented players.

“I remembered when he showed up at the combine (James) had this athletic look and hungry to learn,” said Marquardt. “He’s a diamond in the rough and will evolve into a very good player.”

U of T recruiting coach John Engel was impressed with James on several levels.

“When I first saw (James), there was this big body and I just had this feeling that here was someone who could turn into a great player and I wanted him on our team rather than playing against us,” said Engel.

“But I also know how close he is with his brothers. As an athlete, he’s outstanding and there is so much determination to excel. He even showed up in a suit for a recruiting visit which, to me, says a great deal about his character.”