4 August 2023

CFLPA Player Rep Profiles- Jake Thomas

Player Rep Profiles

Jake Thomas

Photo: David Mahussier/3DownNation

Jake Thomas is a Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) Player Representative for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Thomas, a native of Douglas, New Brunswick, played his university Football with the Acadia Axemen of the CIS, before eventually being drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 29th overall in the 2012 CFL Draft. Thomas is now in his 12th season with the Bombers, having racked up 148 tackles in 176 career games. Jake Thomas is also a 2-time Grey Cup champion, having won the trophy in 2019, and 2021.

Now, in his third year as a Player Representative for the CFLPA, we sat down with Jake and asked him the following questions:

  1. Why did you want to become a CFLPA Player rep? 

Just being someone who had been in the league for awhile, I thought I had a responsibility to become a rep for my locker room especially during a cba year. 

  • This is your 12th season playing in Winnipeg. How do you enjoy living in Winnipeg and how does it compare to living in New Brunswick? 

I love Winnipeg it has so many nice restaurants, and it has a lot of major musical acts and entertainment come to the city. Also, the people are friendly like they are on the East coast.

I would say the biggest difference from home is just the number of headliners concerts that come to the area. 

  •  What is your favorite memory from playing football at Acadia? 

I would say that it would have to be winning the 2011 Aus championship. 

  •  What are some of your favourite things to do away from football and in the offseason? 

I love to spend my time playing with my kids and dog, and to spend time with my family and friends. 

  •  What is your favorite part of the CFLPA AGM meetings? 

I really enjoy the comradely between the reps and getting to meet the guys and create relationships with them away from the Football field.

  •  What is your ideal bye week during the season. 

I like to lay low and just spend my time being around family and friends with good weather. 

  •   What did it mean to you to win the Grey Cup? 

It was an unbelievable experience. It was well worth the wait. Winning the Grey Cup helps create friendships, bonds and memories that will last forever.

PhotoTHE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
  •  What advice would you have for any players who want to pursue a career in pro football? 

Work hard and enjoy the process. It goes by fast.

  •  Who has inspired/helped you the most in your Football career?

The people who inspired me to get in the game would have been my older brothers Josh and Billy and my Grandfather Joey George.

20 July 2023

CFLPA X Upper Deck East Coast Tour

With the help of the CFLPA, Upper Deck, known for its amazing sports collectibles, is on a thrilling adventure across the CFL. Their goal is to collect the highly sought-after autographs from some of our talented members for the upcoming 2023 CFL trading card sets. Upper Deck has now visited seven out of the nine CFL clubs, with completed visits with the; Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the BC Lions during the pre season, and stops with the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes, and Ottawa Red Blacks during an East Coast swing that wrapped up last week.

Upper Deck has been traveling from city to city, meeting passionate members who make the CFL so special. They have gathered signatures from the brightest stars, making the trading cards even more exciting. But they still have more teams to visit, and fans can look forward to seeing some amazing behind-the-scenes content from the remaining six signings. The 2023 CFL trading cards will be cherished by fans, connecting them with their favorite players and the spirit of Canadian football.

We want to extend a big thank you to Upper Deck and all of our members for their hard work in organizing these successful signings. We can't wait to get our hands on some of the new and exciting trading cards in the 2023 Upper Deck CFL set.

22 June 2023

CFLPA ACADEMY ANNOUNCES THREE MEMBERS TO RECEIVE FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FROM FIREFIGHTING PARTNER, TRAINING DIVISION 

CFLPA Academy members, Bailey Feltmate, Michael O’Connor, and Tyler Turner will each receive a full scholarship to complete their firefighting training through Training Division .

Read more

9 June 2023

Saskatchewan Roughrider Brett Lauther Honored for Community Dedication

In an inspiring display of recognition for his outstanding commitment to both the Saskatchewan community and the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA), Brett Lauther, a renowned Saskatchewan Roughrider, joined all those enjoying convocation of Saskatchewan Polytechnic as the recipient of an honorary degree. Lauther was bestowed this prestigious honor for his unwavering dedication to uplifting the greater Saskatchewan community, as well as his vital role as a Player Representative within the CFLPA.

The CFLPA Academy was created in 2016 as part of a growing resource base for the Canadian Football League Players' Association members. With a mission statement that reads: To provide CFLPA members and their families with support to succeed in life today, and as they transition away from the Canadian Football field, the Academy has provided more than 3,000 resources for our members and their families in an annual population of 700 (avg) CFLPA members. Currently, the Academy is in regular contact with more then 1,300 current and former members. The success of the programs with the three pillars of education, career, and health & wellness is directly related to our members' ownership in constructing the platform.

Expressing his gratitude, Brett Lauther acknowledged the significant partnership between the Canadian Football League Players' Association and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. He praised the educational institution for providing numerous CFL players and their families with transformative opportunities and a clear roadmap for life beyond the football field. Lauther added, "Earning something is the epitome of achievement and dignity in life. While receiving the 2023 Saskatchewan Polytechnic honorary degree is truly an exceptional honor, I am thrilled to join you all in celebrating and congratulating your remarkable achievements as graduates."

Lauther's impressive bio highlights a remarkable career spanning six CFL seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Hailing from Truro, Nova Scotia, Lauther burst onto the scene in 2018, setting a Roughrider record by converting 90% of his attempted field goals and earning the title of West Division All-Star. Lauther has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the football field, successfully converting 83% of his field goal attempts, amassing 623 points, and achieving two career-long 57-yard field goals in 2019 and 2022.

Yet, Lauther's impact extends far beyond his on-field accomplishments. He has made significant contributions to the Saskatchewan community, serving as an ambassador for the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation. Lauther actively collaborates with the charitable arm of the football club, focusing on physical and mental wellness, education, and amateur football. Notable initiatives include his involvement in the Win with Wellness program, which educates students across Saskatchewan about mental wellness, stress management, and maintaining healthy relationships. Lauther also dedicates his time to the Rider Reading Program, engaging with elementary school students to foster a love for literacy. Moreover, as an ambassador for KidSport, Lauther supports various fundraising efforts and initiatives aimed at ensuring all children have access to sports.

In 2023, Lauther demonstrated his philanthropic spirit by founding and co-organizing the inaugural Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Winter Classic. This charity hockey game featured past and present Roughriders, NHL alumni, and other renowned guests, successfully raising $25,000 for KidSport.

Through his involvement with the Foundation and the football club's community endeavors, Lauther actively participates in multiple football camps across Regina, Saskatoon, and Northern Saskatchewan, imparting his knowledge and passion for the game to the next generation of aspiring football players.

Unsurprisingly, Lauther has won the hearts of fans and received numerous accolades for his unwavering dedication.

8 June 2023

CFLPA x Upper Deck West Coast Tour

With the help of the CFLPA, Upper Deck, known for its amazing sports collectibles, is on a thrilling adventure across the CFL. Their goal is to collect highly sought-after autographs from some of our talented members for the upcoming 2023 CFL trading card sets. They have already visited three out of the nine CFL clubs, with completed visits with the; Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the BC Lions.

Upper Deck has been traveling from city to city, meeting passionate members who make the CFL so special. They have gathered signatures from the brightest stars, making the trading cards even more exciting. But they still have more teams to visit, and fans can look forward to seeing some amazing behind-the-scenes content from the remaining six signings. The 2023 CFL trading cards will be cherished by fans, connecting them with their favorite players and the spirit of Canadian football.

We want to extend a big thank you to Upper Deck and all of the CFL clubs for their hard work in making these successful events. We can't wait to get our hands on some of the new and exciting trading cards in the 2023 Upper Deck CFL set.

2 May 2023

SkillPlan Construction Trades Hub

Through this animation you will learn about SkillPlan's Construction Trades Hub! - Through our amazing 3-way collaboration between Canada's Building Trades Unions (#CBTU), #SkillPlan, and your CFLPA Academy - all active members can now start learning about, training, and working in the skilled trades across Canada, the US, and beyond...

2 May 2023

Introduction to the Building Trades

Attention #TeamCFLPA members. Over the course of the week, we will be posting videos outlining some of the resources available to you through our partnership with @cdntrades (Canada’s Building Trades Unions) and @skillplan_ca (SkillPlan).

Contact Academy@CFLPA.com to get started today!

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