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25 August 2023

CFLPA Player Rep Profiles- T.J. Lee

T.J. Lee is a Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) Player Representative for the BC Lions. Lee, a native of Seattle, Washington, played his university Football with the Eastern Washington Eagles of the NCAA, before eventually joining the BC Lions in 2014. T.J. is now in his 9th season with the Lions, having racked up an impressive 478 tackles and 24 interceptions over the course of his career.

PHOTO BY GERRY KAHRMANN /PNG files

As he enters his first year as a Player Representative for the CFLPA, we sat down with T.J. and asked him the following questions:

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

I wanted to become a PA rep to extend my role as a leader of the team. I also wanted to expand my knowledge on player relations and protocol. 

  1. This is your 9th season playing in BC. How do you like living in Vancouver and how does it compare to Seattle where you grew up? 

I was born in Houston and raised in Seattle. I am actually living in the states - Blaine, WA. It’s very similar to Seattle though and has pretty quickly become my home. It is nice to be able to go to Seattle whenever we desire and be able to visit with family.

  1. What is your favorite memory from playing football at Eastern Washington?

 I met my wife in college so that’s one of my favorite memories. From a football perspective, it would have to be playing on the red turf and winning a National Championship.  

  1. What are some of your favorite things to do away from football and in the offseason?

I love to go on vacations with my family, hang out with my kids, and play frisbee golf. I love teaching my kids new things in my free time. 

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions
  1. What is your ideal bye week during the season. 

My ideal bye week is being somewhere close to water with my family. I will also receive treatments such as physical/mental therapy sessions, and massages. 

  1. What advice would you have for any players who want to pursue a career in pro football? 

Attack your goals. Always believe in yourself and dont doubt yourself if you are putting in the work. Hard work builds confidence. 

  1. Who has inspired/helped you the most in your Football Career? 

Some people who have inspired me during my football career would have to be, Coach Torey Hunter, Aaron Grymes, current CFLPA President Solomon Elimimian, and Ryan Phillips. 

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11 August 2023

CFLPA Player Rep Profiles- Mike Benson

Mike Benson is a Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) Player Representative for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Benson, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, played his university Football with the Acadia Axemen of the CIS, before joining the then named Edmonton Eskimos in 2012 to begin his professional Football career. Benson is now in the 12th season of his CFL career, after becoming a Grey Cup champion with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021

Photo: Michael Scraper/3DownNation.

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

Why did you want to become a CFLPA Player rep? 

I became a player rep to help Better represent my teammates, and to help foster growth and opportunities for future players.

This is your 3rd season playing in Winnipeg. How do you enjoy living and playing in the city in which you were born?

Being able to play for the team I grew up watching is truly a dream come true. To be able to play in front of family and friends is a blessing. I’m very fortunate to be able to go home to my family ever night and help be a part of my sons pivotal first few years of life.

What is your favorite memory from playing football at Acadia? 

Homecoming is always an amazing game and event. I was lucky enough to have some family watching while I played one of my best games of my university career where I received defensive player of the week in the Sue. 

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

I’m a big fan of the outdoors. Being able to spend time with my family and two huskies, go on adventures and head to the cabin in northwestern Ontario to spend some much needed rest time off grid. 

What is your favorite part of the CFLPA AGM meetings? 

The best part of the AGM meetings is really getting to know the other reps and who they are off field. 

What is your ideal bye week during the season. 

Heading out to the cabin with my two huskies, my son and partner to spend some time fishing, swimming, boating and relaxing in nature.

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

I was fortunate enough to win a grey cup in my 10th year in the CFL. I understand more than most how tough it is to win a championship, it’s no guarantee. Being able to win a championship for my hometown, infront of my family and friends was an amazing experience. 

What advice would you have for any players who want to pursue a career in pro football?

Being a pro athlete is the ultimate dream for any athlete, however, it’s extremely hard to reach that goal. If you can use your athletic gifts to propel your academic career then I strongly advise you to do so. Being a pro athlete doesn’t last forever, but the tools you’ll learn from your time in school will help you for the rest of your life.

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

Easy question, my mother. Her hard work and sacrifice allowed me to be where I am today. Working hard and saving money allowed me to attend a great high school, to go to college and beyond. She constantly encouraged me to try new things and to work hard. Without her showing me firsthand what to do and how to make the right decisions, I wouldn’t be where I am. My mom's the best.

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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.

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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 .

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