CFL Weekly Newsletter Player Spotlight
The CFL’s newsletter, CFL Weekly, features a spotlight player each week. Players have filled out a questionnaire that allows fans to get to know them better and when a newsletter reader clicks on the ‘Read More’ tab in the letter, they’re directed to this page. Here you’ll find the published player surveys.
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NATEY ADJEI
Favourite meal: Beef ribs and waffle sweet potato fries
Favourite track right now: Mahomes – Migos
Favourite track all-time: Push it -Rick Ross
Honourable mention: Swing my Door – Gucci Mane
I recently: Chose to retire from my dream job. It was an incredibly difficult decision but after spending the last year and change at home and a new addition to the family, it became clear that my life off the field needs my focus. Like Carl Winslow, “family matters” 😀
Something you may not know about me: In 2017 at the Labour Day rematch vs. Calgary after a rash of injuries to our DBs, I was one play away from entering the game at defensive back. Mercy Maston had torn his Achilles in pregame warmups and we had already assigned our scratches for the game, which meant we were playing with one less player than normal. The coaches felt I could do it because of the ability I had shown on special teams that year. I was excited because for the first time on a professional field my performance wouldn’t be judged or scrutinized. As I waited on the sideline I kept hoping Bo Levi would see I was in the game and try to attack me. It excited me because the one advantage I had over all our DBs and every DB in the league was the ability to catch. Luckily for Bo and the Stamps we didn’t sustain anymore injuries and he was saved from the embarrassment of getting picked off by me. 😉
Charities/causes I’m involved in: I started the Natey&Friends charity basketball series in 2018 to raise money for local charities in in the GTA area. We’ve hosted three games with a group of CFL players vs GTA basketball teams from local schools and community groups. So far we’ve raised over $5,000 for charities such as Kids Sport Ontario and Boys & Girls of Peel.
Another charity I support is the Get in Project, that helps provide mittens for children with limb differences across Canada.
Something I’d like to say is: The CFL has been part of my life in one way or another since I was 7 years old. It means so much to me. I have been fortunate enough to be a fan as well as play in the league with so many wonderful people associated with the game. I understand how important this game is to our country and the communities. My goal in my post football career is help this game grow and spotlight the incredible athletes laying it on the line each week. I’ve got some plans and can’t wait to put them into action. I especially can’t wait to see my CFL family soon.
What are you binge watching? Start Up and Money Heist
TAKU LEE
Number: 29
Hometown: Nagoya, Japan
I started playing football: When I was in middle school.
Favourite meal: Sushi, especially fatty tuna and Japanese or Korean style BBQ.
Favourite track right now: Heat Waves – Glass Animals
Favourite track all-time: Every Kygo song
Something about me: I’m left handed, throw right and switch hitter.
I’d like to say: Seize the day!
Message to the fans: I’m excited to be part of the team. I promise I’ll give my all for the team. Let’s win the Grey Cup! See you Montreal!
What are you binge watching: The 100, Stranger Things. I can’t wait to see season 4.
BRAD SINOPOLI
Favourite meal: Scallop carbonara
Favourite track right now: Nocturne by Julian Lage
Favourite track all time: Shine on you Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
Something you may not know about me: I grew up an avid bird watcher. What you hear is just as important as what you see!
Charities/causes I’m involved in: (Editor’s note: Brad Sinopoli is taking part in a 24-hour fish-a-thon to support Ausome and you can pledge to it here) Ausome!!! Ausome Ottawa is such an important organization for our community. They provide the perfect structure for children living with autism so they can thrive as the amazing athletes that they are.
Something I’d like to say is: We live in a world where the bad can seemingly and quickly outweigh the good. Let’s do our very best to continue down a path of love, understanding, empathy and ultimately change. Life can be difficult, and supporting each other as best we can is key to easing the burdens.
Message to the fans: Oh how I miss the CFL family. The pandemic allowed time to reflect on all the small moments I have had with fans throughout my career. I have had experiences and interactions that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. From the deepest part of my soul, thank you.
What are you binge watching? RIVER MONSTERS!!
DON JACKSON
Favourite meal: Mama Lu’s spicy Salmon sandwich.
Favourite track right now: Truly Yours Free – “Smoke to it”
Favourite track All-Time: Way too many to even think of one.
Something about me: I got my first tattoo at 12.
Charities/causes: If it helps the progression of black folks, I’m for it.
Something I would like to say: End racism/ “Ain’t none of that hatin’ gone get you money or peace of mind. So show love.”
Message for the fans: Pray for me, I pray for you. Can’t wait to see you guys again!
What are you binge watching? SnowFall
DON UNAMBA
Favourite meal: I’m from the south so can’t go wrong with my fried chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni, greens…actually got hungry answering this.
Favourite track right now: Street runner – Rod Wave.
Favourite track All-Time: That’s hard so hard I can’t answer it.
Something about me: I spend my off-seasons traveling, coaching, building my business & mind. I’m also really into fashion and modeling and working on a line set to drop soon!
Charities/causes: Giving back to the communities that gave to me, helping young guys in college and young athletes get to the next level. I strive to be constantly working on this, including youth camp plans, set to launch in 2022.
Something I would like to say: Never catch yourself wishing the week would fly. Every day is a blessed opportunity, so just control what you can control and make them count.
Message for the fans: Thank You! On some of my lowest days the support I got from you guys pushed me to keep going and kept my head up high! Always thought it was crazy how total strangers support you and cheer for you louder than people you’ve known your whole life. Ready to feel the love again!
What are you binge watching? Trying to finish Narcos: Mexico, just finished Behind Her Eyes 😳🤯
SHAQ EVANS
Hometown: Inglewood, California
Favourite meal: Steak, asparagus, lobster gnocchi
Favourite track right now: Wants and Needs, Drake and Lil Baby
Favourite track all-time: Natural High, Bloodstone
Charities/causes you’re involved with: When I get back to Regina, Naaman Roosevelt used to visit the children’s hospital every week and bring them gifts and talk to the kids and see how they’re doing. Just brightening their day, that’s something I want to get involved in.
Message to Riders fans: Whenever your vaccine becomes available to you, go ahead and trust in it and get it. That’ll help us get back on the field and will help get you guys back in the stands, cheering us on. I know a lot of fans miss us and we miss them too. Just know that the player you saw in 2019 is still here and I feel better and I’m better than I was in 2019 and the team’s going to be better, too.
Currently binge watching: I watch a lot of old, historic stuff. I was watching Roman Empire. I was watching Last Kingdom and I just finished watching Vikings not too long ago. I watch a lot of stuff like that.
JAKE BURT
Position: Athlete
Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan
College: Boston College
Favorite Meal: Steak, green beans, and rice
Favorite track right now: Focus – Bucket$
All Time: Anything by Bucket$, new music coming soon. (Bucket$ is my younger brother Declan Burt).
Interesting fact: I was the No. 1 player nationally in high school for volleyball and I play piano.
Charities I’m involved with: Peter Frates family foundation. (ALS)
Message to the fans: I can’t wait to get to Hamilton!!
Currently binge watching: Everything Marvel
DANE EVANS
Favourite meal: Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans
Favourite track right now: Concert for Aliens – Machine Gun Kelly
Something you didn’t know about me: My wife and I started a charcuterie delivery business, @ChartuToGo. It’s going great and we’re learning so much from it…it’s really taking off! Also, I’m in the college football hall of fame for my senior year at Tulsa (2016).
Message for the fans: Just have been missing the best fans in the CFL in TigerTown. Can’t wait to get back up to Tim Hortons Field this year and get rocking again!
What are you binge watching? The Circle on Netflix
VERNON ADAMS JR.
Favourite meal: A medium well steak with a twice baked potato and some asparagus.
Favourite track right now: Nipsey Hussle, Real Big
Favourite track all-time: E 40, Function
Something about me that you may not know: There’s not much people don’t know about me. I put it all out there on social media. I’m a family man, try to sit back, be myself and help kids with football camps, training, anything like that.
Charities/causes I’m involved in: Children’s hospitals in Seattle and Montreal.
Something I would like to say is: As far as the George Floyd verdict, I think a lot of people’s hearts were stopped while watching it. When (Derek Chauvin) was found guilty on all charges, it was a breath of fresh air. I’m happy that’s the way we’re going, but you never know with appeals. I hope George Floyd’s family gets justice, real justice. I hope he does the maximum time, not a few years or anything like that.
Message for the fans: To the Alouettes fans, we can’t wait to get out there and be playing in front of you guys. To the rest of the fans, I can’t wait to go into your stadiums and hear you guys chirp and be loud, yell at us. I know at the end of the day it’s all fun and games and we sign hats and jerseys for them. I can’t wait to see all the fans. I hope everyone can get vaccinated when it’s their turn. It won’t just help them, it’ll help the people around them and it’ll help us get back to football as soon as possible. I’m not telling anyone to do it, but it’d help everything go faster and smoother.
What are you binge watching? My wife and I are watching a lot of 90 Day Fiance and Modern Family.
WILLIE JEFFERSON
Favourite meal: Crawfish Etoufee.
Favourite Track right now: Street Sweeper, Gunna ft. Future.
Favourite Track all-time: Pimp C, Pourin Up or Big Moe, Barre Baby.
Something about me that you may not know: I have a twin brother.
Charities/causes I’m involved in: I’ve always been part of the Big Brother/Big Sister program.
Something I would like to say is: #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #Reach1Teach1 #LoveAll #StopHate
Message for the fans: In this crazy world that we live in always find a reason to smile and spread love and cheer to anyone you come in contact with… you never know how much of a beacon of love and hope you can be to someone just by saying have a nice day or asking how they are doing!!! #Smile😁
What are you binge watching? Snowfall, NBA, One Piece, My Hero Academia, Waffles and Mochi (my daughter, Kelley), This is Us (my wife, Holly), Pose (Holly).
DAVARIS DANIELS
Favourite meal: Anything Chipotle
Favourite track right now/all-time: Right now- Mutombo, DWN2EARTH. All time – Can’t tell me nothing, Kanye West
A bit about me/Something you didn’t know about me: I am a Dad of the coolest two-year-old boy ever. I recently got into investing and am super passionate about it. Constantly learning and reading.
Charities/Causes I’m involved in: Ovarian Cancer Research – my fiance was diagnosed when she was pregnant with our son.
Message for fans: Never give up on your dreams and what you believe in.
What are you binge watching? The Boys on Prime Video
JAMAR WALL
Favourite meal: Traditional breakfast with pancakes
Favourite track right now/all-time: Too hard to say just one but any track by BIG K.R.I.T.
Something you didn’t know about me: Very family oriented. Love spending time with my family. I am the youngest of four siblings. Four sisters and one brother. I have a red birthmark on the palm and fingertips of my left hand. I’m a pretty decent bowler and working on the golf game a lot (competitor…go figure).
I’ve picked up gardening over 2020 and love it. If anyone in YYC has a few extra acres for me to use or needs some farming help in the offseason, let me know. Haha!
I’m a big movie guy. I usually speak to you in “movies.”
Charities/Causes I’m involved in: I’ve only been involved in visitation of the Alberta Children’s Hospital. I’ve been doing that for eight years. Haven’t since COVID, but I hope they figure out a way to get that back going.
A message to the fans: Thanks for all the positive support that we are getting from fans. For those that don’t quite understand, football is more than just a sport/entertainment. It is a job that helps provides for hundreds of families every year. Please find understanding in why the CFL is just as important as the job you have that supports your own family. Let’s get the CFL back going in 2021.
2021 needs to be full of love for each other. We need to eliminate all this division and start to harmonize with one another. Doing so will be more powerful than we could ever imagine.
B.J. CUNNINGHAM
Favourite song right now: “What it feels like” by Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z.
Favourite song of all time: “Tha Mobb” by Lil Wayne.
Something you didn’t know about me: I’m left handed and left footed.
Charities/causes I’m involved in: Project Playmaker and WR Elite football camps.
Call to action for fans: Currently we are training skill positions in the Montréal area. If you want to work and learn a few gems pull up!! (WR Elite, Project Playmaker)
What are you binge watching? Currently watching Snowpiercer on Netflix, also 85 South Show podcast and Drink Champs podcast on YouTube.
NICK ARBUCKLE
Favourite Meal: Shrimp & Crab Alfredo
Favourite Track Right Now/All Time: Power by Kanye West
Something you didn’t know about me: I won first place in a tennis tournament when I was in middle school.
Charities/Causes I’m involved in: Athletes in Action, Mental Health initiatives.
A bit about me:
“I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing my family to Toronto for the 2021 season. Even though it’s not where we originally thought we would be spending our 2021 season, we know it’s where we are supposed to be and it’s the best situation for me and my family. I’m excited to get to work with this amazing roster of players that the Argos have put together and the incredible coaching staff we have. Our hard work will show up on the scoreboard this season.”
What are you binge watching? New Amsterdam, The Bachelor (whenever it’s on) and The Office (for the 1-millionth time).
KAMAR JORDEN
Favourite meal: Chicken Alfredo
Favourite track right now: Legend – Benny the Butcher
What are you binge watching? Power Book II: Ghost and Snowfall
A bit about me/Something you didn’t know about me:
- Avid music listener (hip-hop/R&B)
- Interest in video editing and graphic design
- Recently introduced own clothing and fan apparel brand
Charities/Causes I’m involved in:
- Started the Darby Youth Football Clinic in 2017 to bring an free annual football skills camp to the community of my hometown Darby, PA.
Call to Action for Fans:
“Get to know your local football organizations: Youth, Junior, University, Semi-Pro and Women’s. The game of football is growing in Canada, as well as the talent and I believe it can grow even more by supporting and shining more light on these grassroot programs.”