Photo courtesy Ivan tam / U of S Athletics
Forty-nine make final cut; Idonije, Ryan continue to shine in NFL
EDMONTON ā Eight Canadian Football League teams begin play this week in search of a trip to the sold out 98[SUP]th[/SUP] Grey Cup game in Edmonton on November 28[SUP]th[/SUP], 2010.
As July 1 approaches, 49 former Canada West stars graze the various CFL rosters, one more than opening day in 2009 and consistent with the level of conference graduates in the pro ranks over the last several seasons.
While Canada West is a six-team battle for the 74[SUP]th[/SUP] Hardy Cup championship this November 13[SUP]th[/SUP], all seven schools from the 2009 campaign continue to make significant contributions on all CFL rosters. Three outstanding former student-athletes earned a spot on National Football League rosters in 2009, while another is poised to make it in 2010 and all hope to help their team challenge for a berth in Super Bowl XLV at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in February 2011.
The Saskatchewan Huskies and head coach Brian Towriss have produced the most local pro talent, with 11 active CFL players, while Manitoba boasts eight CFLers and an NFL player.
Former Huskie Scott Flory has been at least a Divisional All-Star eight straight CFL seasons, while fellow U of S product Gene Makowsky has been named six years running. Regina Rams graduate Brendon LaBatte earned his initial All-Star nod in ā09. Javier Glatt (UBC), Jason Clermont (Regina), Kelly Bates (UofS) and the B.C. Lionsā Angus Reid, who never missed a game from 2002 to 2008 despite having Crohnās disease, are former CFL All-Stars still active in the league. Flory, Makowsky, Glatt, Clermont, Bates and Reid have all won Grey Cup championships during their career.
After two years in the CFL former Regina Rams punter Jon Ryan has gone on to a lucrative career with Green Bay and now the Seattle Seahawks, while long-time Chicago Bears defensive tackle Israel Idonije, who appeared in Super Bowl XLI, is not only a standout on the field, but a humanitarian who was recently honoured by the Jack Brewer Foundation for his volunteer work in the United States and his homeland of Nigeria. Former Canada West Defensive Player of the Year Dan Federkeil, who won a Super Bowl ring with Indianapolis in 2007, played six games in 2009 before suffering an injury. In mid-May receiver Jordan Sisco joined the NFL ranks, inking a deal with the Colts, provided he cracks the opening-day lineup.
Full List: [URL]http://www.canadawest.org/sports_team_story.aspx?id=5&storyid=2754
2010 Canada West CFL / NFL Players
Opening-day total: 49 CFL, 4 NFL
by CFL Team
B.C. Lions 3
Calgary Stampeders 4
Edmonton Eskimos 5
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 9
Montreal Alouettes 7
Saskatchewan Roughriders 10
Toronto Argonauts 5
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 6
by NFL Team
Chicago Bears 1
Indianapolis Colts 2
Seattle Seahawks 1
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