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Many years ago, Shaheed Salmon got tagged with the nickname Diesel.

It seemed like a fitting thing to call a player who liked nothing better than to smack opponents around on the football field.

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“I got the name from hitting people hard back in the day,” said Salmon, a 23-year-old linebacker in training camp with the Ottawa Redblacks. “That’s what I like to do.”

After getting a look from the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, Salmon, who played college football with Samford University, is anxious to make an impression with the Redblacks. He’ll get an opportunity Saturday in a pre-season home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“I love competing against people, it brings the best out in me,” he said. “I can’t wait to get out there and play. Whenever you see that opposite colour (of jersey), it’s go time. I definitely would say I’m not the same person off the field as I am on the field. I’m nice off the field.”