Watch above: Jack Haskins reports how gritty veteran Shea Emry will bring leadership to the Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker core.
SASKATOON – In 2014, Chad Kilgore and Sam Hurl split time filling the middle linebacker position for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but this year, a CFL all-star and two-time Grey Cup champion will be the man in the middle.
Shea Emry has racked up 344 regular season tackles and 11 sacks throughout his CFL career. The eight-year pro isn’t just a quality Canadian-born player, Emry is capable of being one of the most ferocious mack linebackers in the entire football league.
“He has the attitude, he has the toughness, he has the mindset,” said Riders head coach Corey Chamblin at training camp in Saskatoon.
“He’s pretty good at what he does.”
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The last three years have been a whirlwind for the Richmond, B.C. product. Two seasons ago, Emry played for the Montreal Alouettes and then the Toronto Argonauts last year.
Now, he’s a Rider. The 29-year-old family man admits that it has been very difficult playing for three different teams in as many years.
“It’s been quite stressful from a family standpoint,” says Emry.
“But at the same time, it’s training camp. Once you get in-between those lines, it’s football.”
In 2012, Emry was named a CFL all-star and the east division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He is also the proud owner of two Grey Cup championship rings.
Emry is a big name in the CFL and in order to obtain a player of his calibre, you’re going to have to give up a lot. The Riders did just that this off-season when they sent fan favourite Ricky Foley to Toronto in exchange for Emry.
To his credit, Emry has made it clear that he isn’t striving to win over the hearts of Riderville, he’s here to do his job.
“I’m not here to replace Ricky Foley, or you know, trying to think of his legacy here at all,” said Emry.
“I’m trying to be Shea Emry. I’m here to be the middle linebacker.”
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