‘I’m looking to make the family proud’: Riders’ C.J. Avery

Football and family have always been connected for C.J. Avery.

Growing up, the Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker used to watch games with his great-grandmother, Dorothy Brown Avery, until she died in 2011.

“She’s a wonderful human being. We always used to watch football games – her favourite team was the Cowboys. She always used to tell me, ‘I can’t wait to see you on TV and see you doing a big thing in football,’” the 25-year-old linebacker said after practice at Mosaic Stadium.

“I always used to sit with her and always wanted to make her proud when she passed.”

Throughout college, he would wear armbands to remember her. He also has Dorothy and another grandmother tattooed on his arms to always have them with him on the field.

“I know she is watching and proud of everything I am doing,” Avery said.

Avery also had two great role models to look up to when it came to the sport. His grandfather played at the University of Virginia and his dad Chris played for the Arena Football League and World League of American Football in Spain.

“It was great,” Avery said. “Being able to be around football the whole time, that’s just what I was born and raised in. My dad showed me a lot about the game at an early age so it’s just paying off and I’m looking to make the family proud.”

He’s also had someone alongside him through his journey: his cousin Genard Avery.

“He’s almost like a brother more than a cousin,” Avery said. “We do everything together and we talk every day. He was the person that showed me how to work hard and what to do to get to the next level.”

Genard has been in the NFL since 2018, spending time with the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Indianapolis Colts.

While Avery was in college, he and Genard would workout in a makeshift gym the elder had created in his grandmother’s garage.

“It was what we made of it,” he said. “We made sure we held each other accountable and being on time. If you were late, we’re doing a punishment. We were doing all types of things to just keep each other accountable and keep it fun and keep it competitive. We were competing with each other and it was a great experience.”

The Grenada, Miss., product was a standout defender at Grenada high school but after his quarterback was forced out of the game, he got a chance to show what he could do at the spot.

“My first love was baseball so I love to throw,” Avery said.

“Playing quarterback, I love to throw the post route. That was a good experience. In high school I was a good athlete so just learning how offences like to attack defences helped me on the defensive side as well.”

He would stay on the defensive side of the ball as he ultimately decided to play his college football with the Louisville Cardinals.

“That was a great experience,” he said. “A lot of guys from Mississippi either go from Mississippi State or Ole Miss, so going to Louisville kind of shocked the state. It was a fun time. I’m glad I chose that school and was able to mature and grow a lot being away from home. I enjoyed that experience and I’m grateful I did (it).”

He suited up for 54 games as a Cardinal and registered 349 tackles, including 20 for loss, nine sacks, and three interceptions.

But no team picked him in the 2022 NFL Draft, leading to him signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears.

“That was one of the best things that happened to me because I had to fight adversity,” Avery said. “Things didn’t go my way and didn’t go as planned. You learn (about yourself) when things don’t go as planned. I’m grateful for that experience and opportunity and looking to continue and build my career and do great things.”

He attended camp with the team but was released.

In 2023, he played with the XFL’s Vegas Vipers and started in all 10 games and making 62 tackles.

But for 2024, he decided it was the CFL where he would next try to make his mark.

“I just decided I wanted to come do the CFL,” he said. “I ended up signing with Montreal. Some things happened as far as contract things. Now I am here and it has been amazing. I love the game and loving everything about it.”

After a solid training camp and preseason, Avery was able to earn a starting spot in the team’s linebacker corps.

“I’m grateful for that opportunity and I’m grateful for them to believe in me,” Avery said. “I go out and do everything I can and make sure I am doing the right thing and doing my job so they can trust me.”

He has proven to be a big contributor in the group, recording an interception in both of his starts this season.

“It keeps a smile on my face and keeps me happy because I know I work hard and do my job,” he said.

“For my teammates and the older guys to trust me to make a play at that time, it’s big. I want to continue to do that and have a great career here and get to a Grey Cup.”

With the Riders’ home opener on Sunday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Avery is excited to see what Rider Nation will bring in terms of energy to the game.

“I’m expecting it to be amazing and a great experience,” Avery said. “It being extremely loud and fans loving it. I’m excited to see it – I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.”