CALGARY – Saboor Zeeshan wanted to be included, not excluded. He found inclusion on the football field.

As a young boy growing up in Calgary, Saboor spent his youth playing competitive soccer but felt he was not included.

"I wanted to be part of something. This did not happen in soccer, so my friends told me to try football," stated the 20-year-old receiver, whose parents came to Canada in 2000 from Pakistan. "I felt like I was a part of something the minute I was with football. It has also been that way with the Dinos as soon as I got here," he stated.

"I had to convince my parents, especially my mother, to let me play football," stated Zeeshan, who did not start playing football until he was twelve. He played high school football for two years at Western Canada High in Calgary before spending two seasons with the Calgary Colts of the Prairie Junior Football Conference.

Zeeshan always wanted to play for the University of Calgary Dinos. He attended identification camp this spring and showed enough potential to attend main spring camp. After a strong camp, Saboor was told he'd attend fall camp in August and be on the team.

Saboor was a "walk-on" with the team but emerged as one of the team's top receivers.

Receivers coach Dallas Boath is impressed with Zeeshan's athleticism and ability.

"Saboor has taken the opportunity and done everything we have asked of him. His work ethic is unmatched," stated Boath. "He has led by example with his play and effort."

He has also earned the respect of Head Coach Ryan Sheahan.

"Saboor has been a great addition to our team. He is brilliant, works hard, and makes plays," stated Sheahan.

Away from football, Saboor has accomplished a great deal despite his youth. He has received many academic and community service awards. Zeeshan has also done some amazing work in his pursuit of becoming a medical student.

In May 2025, he spent one month in Kenya on a volunteer medical internship, gaining firsthand knowledge working in the medical profession.

"I was eager for the opportunity to learn about the medical profession, and it was a great experience," stated Saboor about the experience in Kenya.

A pre-medicine Dean's List student, Zeeshan, completed a research project validating technology to measure sleep this past summer and presented his findings to Foothills Hospital and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

In addition to his academic and athletic pursuits, Saboor volunteers at South Campus Health Center, helping seniors, and serves as vice president of three campus student clubs. He is also part of a youth advisory committee with the Universities of Calgary and Toronto studying prevention strategies for youth concussions.

So how does Saboor have time for all these activities? "Good time management and a little less sleep," the personable third-year science student said.

Saboor Zeeshan – an incredible student, an excellent football player, who believes in giving back and is no longer excluded.