By François Ferland
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – The Alouettes’ decision to pick Shea Emry in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2008 CFL Canadian Draft appears to be paying off for all parties involved.
|
|
|
Shea Emry earned a starting spot on the Alouettes’ roster in only his second season with the team. |
After becoming a key part of Montreal’s defence over the past three seasons, the 25 year-old native of Richmond, BC was just offered a 2-year, plus an option, contract extension by Alouettes’ GM Jim Popp, just before the start of the 2011 season. A season during which it would surprise no one to see the young middle linebacker named a league All-Star for the first time in his career, be it East Division or otherwise.
In his first CFL season, Emry recorded 20 special teams tackles, enough to lead the Alouettes that year, and to place eighth league-wide. He then moved to the linebacker position, where he recorded 52 tackles in 2009, and 58 in 2010.
“I don’t feed off of personal ambitions. What’s important for me is winning the Grey Cup, that’s what makes me happy. For me, there’s no better feeling than contributing to the success of the team as a whole,” said Emry.
Shea, by the way, is still without his 2009 Grey Cup ring after having it stolen from his car while in Vancouver this past spring. “I haven’t received any news yet regarding its whereabouts, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that it will pop-up some day, even if it’s ten years from now,” continued Emry.
Although always one to put the success of the team first and foremost, Emry admits to being proud of one personal accomplishment in particular since joining the Alouettes in 2008: becoming a starter in only his second season with the club.
Emry began believing that a football career might be possible after leaving the University of Eastern Washington for the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2007. “I wasn’t happy at Eastern Washington,” said Emry while reflecting on his past. “Things didn’t end up going as planned for me there. Leaving for UBC was a good decision on my part, and it was while I was at UBC that I realized that a career in the CFL might one day be possible.”
While playing for the UBC Thunderbirds, Emry recorded 52 tackles, enough to lead the team, and to place seventh CIS-wide.
Although he never stepped foot in Quebec prior to joining the Alouettes in 2008, Shea Emry has been enjoying his stay in Montreal. “I love the city and the passion of our fans. In fact, I’ve been trying to familiarize myself with the French language so that I can one day express myself adequately in it.”
