Shea Emry
Shea Emry (born April 23, 1986 in Richmond, British Columbia) is a former Canadian football linebacker who played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in the first round of the 2008 CFL Draft and would play there for six seasons before signing with the Toronto Argonauts in 2014. He played CIS Football at the University of British Columbia after playing three seasons of NCAA Football at Eastern Washington.
| No. 11, 41 | |
| Born: | April 23, 1986 Richmond, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Retired |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | LB |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 228 lb (103 kg) |
| College | Eastern Washington |
| University | British Columbia |
| CFL draft | 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 |
| Drafted by | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2008–2013 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2014 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 2015 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 2012 |
| CFL East All-Star | 2012 |
| Awards | Lew Hayman Trophy (2012) James P. McCaffrey Trophy (2012) Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy (2013) |
He is the founder and CEO of WellMen Project, a men's adventure club which aims to empower men to take initiative in their own mental wellness.[1][2]
Professional career
Montreal Alouettes
Emry spent 6 seasons with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, spanning from the 2008 CFL season through the 2013 CFL season. His best season with the Als was the 2012 season in which he was named a CFL All-Star after recording a career-high 87 tackles. He finished his time with Montreal amassing 261 tackles (average of 43.5 tackles per season), 44 special teams tackles, 13 sacks, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 1 defensive touchdown.
Toronto Argonauts
On February 11, 2014, the first day of CFL free-agency, Emry signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.[3] In his first and only season in Toronto Emry recorded 72 tackles after playing in all 18 regular season games.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On January 24, 2015, Emry was acquired by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Toronto received DE Ricky Foley in the trade.[4]
Emry would go on to play one half of a game with the Roughriders, before suffering a career ending injury during the first game of the 2015 season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. On February 3, 2016, Emry officially announced his retirement after playing eight seasons in the CFL, mostly with the Montreal Alouettes.
Personal life
Two time grey cup champion, 2012 Defensive Player of the Year Runner-Up, 2012 Canadian Player of the Year Runner-Up, and six year Canadian Football League Veteran, All-Star Middle Linebacker Shea Emry is tackling his most momentous challenge yet, bringing awareness to the ways in which men can proactively serve and enhance their quality of life and potential. After suffering a concussion, which put him out for the remainder of the football season in 2011, Emry found himself battling trials of the past. Negative self-talk, isolation, and an intensifying self-consciousness drew him back into the depressive state he had known as an adolescent; having been the victim of extreme childhood bullying. In early 2012 Emry was inspired to use his platform in professional sport to share his story with youth, inspiring self-care and conversation concerning wellness and mental health. So he founded Wellmen.[1] His mission to change the stigma was ignited. Honoring his contribution to community and the landscape of mental health, he won the Jake Gaudaur Veteran's Trophy; a distinction appointed to the individual who most exemplifies the values of Canada's Veterans. The prestigious award was given to him at the Grey Cup's CFL annual Players Awards, on behalf of the commissioner and Veterans Affairs Canada, whose mandate is to acknowledge the legacy of those who have contributed to Canada's development as a nation.
Shea has shared his story and self care practices with thousands of youth, aspiring athletes, as well as professionals pioneering solutions to mental health challenges. His mission has led him to many collaborations and ignition platforms such as the CN Together At School Program, rallying sixty thousand students; and Saidat Music Movement and Motivation, reaching nearly thirty thousand kids and teenagers in an anti bullying and awareness campaign. In partnership with Action on Mental Illness (AMI) Quebec, Shea was hosted by AMI Board Member Lynn Nulman and her husband, founder of Just For Laughs, Andy Nulman, to share his vision for mental wellness and offer his story to tastemakers and influencers. This year as Movember’s Quebec Spokesperson for Men's Mental Health, Shea's impact was far-reaching. He hosted 4 Movember events across Canada including co-hosting the Closing Gala in Vancouver. Shea took his mission to numerous radio and television outlets like Breakfast Television, CTV, TSN and TSN radio, championing the conversation around men's mental health.
His idea is simple: an individual's personal evolution requires an individual's personal initiative.
References
- "About Wellmen". Wellmen.org. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- Scadden, Natalie (29 January 2014). "Shea Emry launches WellMen Project with help of UBC football players". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- Emry signs with Argonauts
- Returning Home: Riders trade Foley back to Toronto