C. J. Avery

Last updated

C. J. Avery
No. 35     Saskatchewan Roughriders
2024, 35, C. J. Avery.jpg
Avery with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
Born: (1999-03-22) March 22, 1999 (age 25)
Grenada, Mississippi, U.S.
Career information
StatusActive
CFL status American
Position(s) Linebacker
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight232 lb (105 kg)
College Louisville
High school Grenada H.S.
Career history
As player
2022* Chicago Bears
2023 Vegas Vipers
2024* Montreal Alouettes
2024–present Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career stats

C. J. Avery (born March 22, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and also had a stint with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) and the Vegas Vipers of the XFL.

Contents

College career

Avery played college football for the Louisville Cardinals from 2017 to 2021. [1] He played in 54 games where he had 349 total tackles, nine sacks, three interceptions, 16 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. As a four-year starter for Louisville, he led the team in tackles in 2019 and 2020. [2]

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Avery signed with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) on May 6, 2022. [3] He was later waived with an injury settlement on August 12, 2022. [4]

Vegas Vipers

Avery was drafted by the Vegas Vipers in the eighth round, 64th overall of the 2023 XFL Draft. [5] In the first game of the season against the Arlington Renegades, Avery recorded the first interception of the 2023 season. [6] He started all 10 games and finished with 62 tackles and one interception. [2]

Montreal Alouettes

On January 16, 2024, it was announced that the Avery had signed with the Montreal Alouettes. [7] He was released on March 5. [8]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Avery was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on April 15. [9] He played in the first game of the season against the Edmonton Elks on June 8 and recorded an interception. In his next game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he would have another interception that would set up the game-winning field goal. In doing so, he became the first player since Harry Skipper in 1986 to have at least one interception in their first two games as a member of the Roughriders. [10] On August 15, he was placed on 1-game injured list. [11] On August 21, he was activated from the injured reserve. [11] He would finish the season with 59 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions, and one forced fumble in 19 games. [12]

Personal life

Avery's grandfather played football at the University of Virginia and his dad, Chris Avery, played for the Arena Football League and World League of American Football in Spain. His cousin is Genard Avery. [13]

References

  1. ↑ "C.J. Avery - Football". University of Louisville Athletic. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "C.J. Avery". Saskatchewan Roughriders . Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ Mayer, Larry (May 6, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign undrafted free agents". Chicago Bears . Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ "C. J. Avery: Waived from IR". CBSSports. August 12, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ Anderson, Brandon (November 21, 2022). "XFL Draft Recap 2022: Vegas Vipers XFL Draft Recap and Review". XFLNewshub. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Former Louisville Cardinals' linebacker C.J. Avery gets first interception in new XFL". The Courier-Journal. February 20, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Alouettes sign five American players". Montreal Gazette. January 16, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ Miller, Anthony (March 7, 2024). "Grey Cup Champion Montreal Alouettes Say Goodbye to Former Chicago Bears Linebacker, Welcome Former Bears DB". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Riders sign American linebacker C.J. Avery". Canadian Football League. April 15, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  10. ↑ Vanstone, Rob (June 19, 2024). "Roughriders' C.J. Avery produces quick picks". Saskatchewan Roughriders . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "C.J. Avery Transactions | The Football Database". FootballDB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  12. ↑ "C.J. Avery". Canadian Football League . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  13. ↑ Gray, Britton. "'I'm looking to make the family proud': Riders' C.J. Avery". 980 CJME. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
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