With Canada Day on the near horizon this Sunday, we thought we would count down five of the most local players in the Canadian Football League.
The following are players who have played both university and professional football in their hometown, and feature prominently in their local community.
1. Zack Evans, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The 27-year-old defensive lineman rejoined his hometown Riders this season after four years in the nation’s capital with the REDBLACKS, and fiercely proud of his Saskatchewan heritage.
“Looking up into the crowd and seeing friends and family was fantastic.”
It was Homecoming Weekend for @ZEvans92 from Mosaic Stadium.
🎥 » https://t.co/qgyyFEwE69 pic.twitter.com/FO2dp0Ab4u
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) June 18, 2018
A Regina native, Evans played his junior football locally with the Thunder and understands what it means to bleed green:
Nothing else needs to be said. #tminus4days #TC2018 @sskroughriders pic.twitter.com/C7lWBzwJPP
— Zack Evans (@ZEvans92) May 15, 2018
2. Nic Demski, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The 25-year-old receiver returned home this February, when he inked a contract with the Blue Bombers.
Now his fourth season in the CFL, Demski starred in university with the Manitoba Bisons after attending Oak Park High School.
As for Winnipeg.. I can’t wait to get this thing going!! Beyond excited to have the opportunity to play in front of my hometown fans, friends and family week in n week out! #ForTheW
— Nic Demski (@Demski9) February 14, 2018
Naturally, Demski is a hockey fan and loved the Winnipeg Jets’ run to the conference final this season.
👉 @Demski9…proud Winnipegger, former @MBBisons and member of our @Wpg_BlueBombers is ready for the #WPGWhiteout!
WE ARE WINNIPEG. pic.twitter.com/dBx9mpaqDF
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 11, 2018
3. Hugh O’Neill, Edmonton Eskimos
The 28-year-old Eskimos punter grew up (Ross Sheppard High School), played college football (Alberta) and now punts the pigskin professionally in his hometown of Edmonton.
O’Neill is involved in a number of local community initiatives.
What an amazing week for some of our Edmonton BOKS schools with visits from Josh Woodman, @calvinmccarty31 and Hugh O’Neill. Thanks for your leadership and running these kids through their paces! @EdmontonEsks pic.twitter.com/ER7zZ8sM1C
— BOKS Canada (@boks_canada) March 16, 2018
4. Brendan Gillanders, Ottawa REDBLACKS
The 27-year-old fullback is Ottawa through and through; he began in high school with Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary, graduated to the University of Ottawa and is now into his third season as a member of the REDBLACKS.
Like the other players on this list, he features prominently in Ottawa’s community initiatives.
.@REDBLACKS RB Brendan Gillanders visited his minor football alma matre the Cumberland Panthers today with teammate QB Danny Collins. pic.twitter.com/wVzmX273Kl
— Sluuby (@sluuby) August 29, 2017
Talking football with CFL player Brendan Gillanders recently traded to Ottawa RedBlacks! Human Library Event pic.twitter.com/fnAAFGOKiY
— Human Library 2018 (@swlcbhumanlib) March 23, 2016
Wed @nol_macmillan & @BSinopoli were at Hopewell PS & today Jon Gott & Orleans own Brendan Gillanders at St Dominic pic.twitter.com/4LLbBE8MXs
— Sluuby (@sluuby) May 20, 2016
5. Jamal Campbell, Toronto Argonauts
The 24-year-old offensive lineman’s journey from the Jane & Finch neighbourhood to the Toronto Argonauts has been well-documented — exceptionally well by the Argos’ Crossroads short doc.
From C.W. Jefferys C.I. to a standout career on the line at York University through his time in double blue, Campbell has consistently led by example off the field.
Fun times with my #DoubleBlue teammates and all the passionate @cityoftoronto students that help us daily in encouraging each other to RISE UP against bullying #PullTogether https://t.co/KlmRpk4Fbi
— Jamal Campbell (@HeisTooTall) May 11, 2018
Nothing nor Anyone will ever stop the people of TORONTO from ALWAYS spreading LOVE in our city..
— Jamal Campbell (@HeisTooTall) April 23, 2018