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What brothers have played in the CFL?

CFL.ca
@kcostabile1

If you had a look at the December edition of the CFL’s Scouting Bureau you probably saw two of the same last name.

Godfrey Onyeka (ranked sixth) and Kene Onyeka (ranked 14th) are actually brothers.

Nakas Onyeka, Kene and Godfrey’s cousin, was drafted by the Argonauts in the 2017 Draft and won a Grey Cup with the squad. The family also has two others playing football, including one that’s still in high school but that Godfrey said in a conference call on Wednesday will be someone to watch out for.

Those family connections got me thinking – how many more CFL families have played or are still playing in the league?

Here are a few bros that have suited up on a Canadian Football field (and I realize there are a lot more than I have listed here. Let me know some that you can think of!)

MUAMBA BROTHERS

I didn’t choose em’ but I guess they aiight. #nationalsiblingday #3muambas #themuambaway

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Three Muamba brothers have donned CFL jerseys over the last few years – Henoc, Cauchy and Kelvin.

Linebacker Henoc is in his sixth CFL season and currently plays for the Roughriders. In 2017, Henoc led the Riders in defensive tackles with 82 and also collected 11 tackles on special teams, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Cauchy is a safety with the Edmonton Eskimos after signing with the team as a free agent on July 31st of this year. He collected nine defensive tackles, one fumble recovery for a touchdown and one interception this season. Kelvin was most recently on the Riders with his brother Henoc before being released earlier this year.

WOODSON BROTHERS

Goofin

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Anthony and Robert Woodson faced off during the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw (I talked to both of them before the big game about competing against each other so you can read that here.)

Running back Anthony played in three games with Calgary this year, rushing six times for 18 yards while defensive back Robert played in 12 games with the Argonauts collecting eight defensive tackles and seven on special teams.

BLACK BROTHERS

Thanks to Matt Black for reminding me about him and his bro, Eric!

Matt still plays with the Argonauts (I’m sure you can recall his game-sealing interception late in the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw a few weeks ago?)

His younger brother Eric was selected by the Argonauts 38th overall in 2014, meaning the brothers were on the same team! How cool is that?

HERDMAN BROTHERS

Jordan and Justin Herdman (who are both linebackers, by the way) competed at the 2017 CFL Combine presented by adidas together. One was drafted by the BC Lions (Jordan) and the other by the Toronto Argonauts (Justin).

They also got to play against each other earlier this year (see below). Jordan suited up in all 18 games this season with the Lions and tallied 19 special teams tackles and two on defence. Justin, on the other hand, collected three defensive tackles and two on special teams.

KING BROTHERS

Neil and Ryan King are brothers that play on the same team – the Edmonton Eskimos.

Neil is a DB and suited up in 10 games this season collecting 27 defensive tackles and one interception. Ryan is a long snapper and played in five games this year.

RALPH BROTHERS

Another trio of brothers have played in the CFL, Jimmy, Brock and Brett, who are all pass-catchers.

Jimmy currently plays for the Toronto Argonauts and suited up in 16 games in his rookie season. The youngest of the Ralph’s caught 26 passes for 278 yards in 2017.

Brock, the oldest brother, also caught passes from Ricky Ray, but as a member of the Edmonton Eskimos. He was a receiver between 2003-2011 for the Esks, Ticats and Blue Bombers.

Brett played 2005-2009 with the Calgary Stampeders, the same team that drafted him.

WESTERMAN BROTHERS

Jamaal and Jabar Westerman played against each other in last year’s Western Semi-Final – Jabar got the best of his brother, as the Lions beat the Bombers to head to the Western Final.

Jabar has since been moved to the Montreal Alouettes where he dressed in 17 games this season and tallied nine defensive tackles and one sack. Jamaal is still with the Bombers but his season was cut short when he obtained an upper-body injury during the Banjo Bowl. In the 11 games he played in before getting hurt, Jamaal tallied 21 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.

FLUTIE BROTHERS

I feel like the Flutie brothers don’t really need much of an explanation.

Doug and Darren Flutie are the original #CFLFamily and they have now formed a band. Amazing.

BONUS COUSINS

I know they’re not brothers but did you know Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford are cousins? Yep. Chris O’Leary will tell you more here.

Here are a few more brothers that fans had mentioned to me! Keep ’em coming!