CFL Montreal Alouettes

Shea Emry honoured with Jake Gaudaur Veteran's Award

Published on November 21, 2013 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Montreal Alouettes News Release


Montreal, November 21, 2013 - Thursday night in Regina, Alouettes linebacker Shea Emry received the CFL's fourth-annual Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy during the league's Most Outstanding Player Awards gala. The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy honours the CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's Veterans.

"As a Canadian born of American parents whose grandfathers fought in WWII, as well as having an uncle who fought in Vietnam and former teammates who recently returned from fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's a tremendous honour to receive an award that pays tribute to Canada's veterans," said Emry. "It's important to encourage the remembrance of our veterans' legacy through commemorative partnerships like the one established with the CFL through this award. We never forget."

The Richmond, B.C. native was selected as this year's recipient of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy thanks to his efforts as a leader both on and off the field, as well as through the perseverance he has demonstrated while recovering from a concussion that he suffered in 2011, which held him inactive for most of the season while also battling depression.

Forced off the field and away from his teammates as he battled post-concussion symptoms, Emry faced diminishing self-worth as his isolation gave way to depression, ultimately leading him to look within in order to redefine himself as more than just a football player, and eventually speaking out on mental health issues.

"Shea has taken his experience and shared it with the world to help raise awareness, said Alouettes General Manager and Head Coach Jim Popp. Most people can't do this but are encouraged to do so in order to help others. We are grateful for Shea's courage and the Montreal Alouettes are proud of his contributions."

His coming forward played a crucial role in raising awareness of mental health issues. In 2013 he became an ambassador for the Quebec Movember Movement, a world-wide initiative that reaches millions, supporting and raising money for men's health research.

A year ago, Emry bounced back from his injury in a big way, recording a career-best 87 defensive tackles in 2012 on his way to being named a finalist for the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian and Defensive Player awards.

Emry demonstrates the attributes shared by our Veterans -- strength, perseverance, comradeship, courage and community involvement -- collaborating with a variety of community organizations year-round, including Montreal Walks for Mental Health and Action on Mental Illness Quebec, as well as hosting anti-bullying assemblies. Emry also participates in the Alouettes off-season school program Together at School with CN and the Alouettes which sees players reach out to over 120,000 elementary and high school students during the winter, helping them make the right decisions while persevering at school.

Jake Gaudaur was a Canadian hero. A Canadian fighter pilot instructor during the Second World War, he won Grey Cups as both a player and an executive before serving as commissioner of the CFL from 1968 to 1984. His story embodies the historic bond between the league and our Veterans, one that is celebrated with the presentation of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Award.

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