The Canadian Football League has unveiled the list of nine finalists for Jake Gaurore’s veterans award, including some of the league’s biggest stars.
Venypeg Blue Bombers returned to Brady Olivera, named the most outstanding player of the league and the most outstanding Canadian in the previous season, in the list with Logan Ferland, an aggressive lineman of Hamilton Tiger-Cat’s receiver Kiyondre Smith and Saskatewan Refreeders, Logan Ferland. Apart from this, Kicker Scene White of Nominee BC Lions, David Beyard, aggressive lineman of Edmonton Elks, Toronto Argonats’ Receiver Dezon Briset, Montreal Alouetts’ Linebacker Jeffre Jeffre Cantin-Aurku, Otawa Redblack ‘Defense Back Justin Hell ‘Defensives’ Defense ‘Defensives’ were defensive back godfreak.
Since 2010, the annual presented, the award was named in honor of former CFL Commissioner Jake Gaudore, a reputed experience of World War II. It recognizes a Canadian player who best performs the characteristics of the Canadian veterans – power, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to the Canadian communities.
Suskechewan Rafarders’ Long-snapper Jorgen Has gave the award last year, with a three-year-old run cap of rider winners with receiver Breeden Lenius (2023) and aggressive lineman Dan Clarke (2022). Hamilton Tiger-Cat’s aggressive lineman Chris Wan Zile won in 2021, while Montreal Alouett’s long-snapper Martin Bedard was honored in 2019.
The recipient of this year will be selected by a committee made from Waitors Affairs Canada from Debora Bethel, CFL on TSN analyzer and former honorary Colonel of 417 Combat Support Squadron Glen Suetter, David McKi, Executive Director of CFL Players Association and CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnson.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, 13 November at the CFL Awards in Vinnipag. Full BIOS on all nominations, as provided by CFL, can be found below.
2025 Jake Gaurur Veterans Award Nominees
Scene White – BC Lions
A 17 -year -old CFL veteran and league the most accurate kicker in history, White continues to perform at an extraordinary level. From 2022–23, he served as a full-time fire fighter, taking responsibilities to protect his community, while committed to Lions. He is a respected member of the Lions’ locker room, for example and the teammates of the team. He visits schools in BC through energy champion and Lions proud and serves as an ambassador for BC feed the kids. His work with young players is beyond Lions through his efforts with the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC).
David Beard – Admonton Elks
A foundation stone of the aggressive line of adamonton is an appearance for the bearded team colleagues and employees. When needed, they have stepped into various roles, display versatility and whatever is done to be a better team partner. As a member of the team’s leadership council, he stands for the people around him, making sure that his voice is heard and his concerns are fulfilled. Beard continues his education as an electrician in his off-time, while in-depth in community programming, from children’s camps to outreach tour, while the team in Alberta to help in the initiative of mentorship and engagement.
Godfrey Oneka – Calgary Stampders
Eneka played an early role on defense and continued to contribute to special teams. For example, a leader, he has helped the stable Calcury locker room after the introduction of the 2024 campaign to play every game to play serious injuries. Their flexibility, leadership, outgoing personality and their acceptable nature have helped to build the culture of respect and comrades. Outside the field, Eneka youth empowerment is deeply involved, especially through sports and welfare. He supports the CGY CHAMPS program of Calgary by creating materials for students in K-8 and learns to play the camp while advising young athletes. He is also an active volunteer with local shelters and community initiatives.
Logan Ferland – Suskchewan Reforridrs
Ferland, MELFORT, SASK. A local product of, got up to become a full -time starter from CJFL. He has been punished once for his last 56 Games – his composer and discipline. As the captain of a team and leader of the locker room, Ferland is in a hurry to make himself and his peers accountable, while even acceptable and welcome, often feel the team’s meetings and feel involved. Outside the field, he is just equally impressive, working as an ambassador to the Jim Pattison Children Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, making a meaningful relationship with young patients. Through winning with rider reading and wellness programs, he has reached thousands of youth in his home province, sharing his story of flexibility after his father’s loss of cancer.
Brady Olivera – Vinypeg Blue Bombers
The journey of Olivera is defined by firmness and flexibility. He was a leader of the league in 2023 and 2024, and his dominance on the field earned him the George Reid most outstanding player award the most outstanding Canadian Awards. He proceeds in practice and for example on gamde and he uses his platform to promote community initiatives. His efforts in support of dog -rescue have attracted international attention and participated with local shelters and K -9 groups. He hosts “puppy parties” for children who are struggling with serious diseases. Through its hometown champion program, $ 5 is donated to each yard that he runs away and scores $ 1,000 for every touchdown, which is towards the charity of various children.
Kiondré Smith- Hamilton Tiger-Cat
Smith has established himself as one of the most trusted receivers of Hamilton and one as a team-first leader. From his fraudulent season in 2024 in 2022, he played in every game and he came in significant moments. Smith embracing details in doing whatever is necessary to help his team win. Outside the field, he is heavy invested in the community, making a healthy, active lifestyle champion through football through beefit and high school mentorship programs. He regularly donates his time for local food safety initiatives and he has played an active role in teaching students about leadership through the team, which is more than a biustander program. He creates a point to be available to fans after every household game, which gives a chance to give back to those who uplift him and his team.
Dejon Brissett – Toronto Argonauts
The 2024 season of the Briset served as a personal lesson in the revival. After three months of disappearance due to injury, he returned to play an important role in Toronto’s Gray Cup Championship Game and earned the Gray Cup most valuable Canadian honor. He serves as an experienced locker-bride appearance that sets tone during hard stretch. Outside the region, he has established himself as a committed community leader, who dedicate time to educate and motivate the youth. He is actively involved with MLSE’s Haddal Anti-Bulling Program and acts as an MLSE launchpad ambassador, which works with youth to promote positivity and confidence. Briset is also the founder of the Ignite Sports Group, who speaks of football clinics, mentorship and motivational to ensure an open route to the youth to ensure an open route for sports, training and guidance.
Justin Hell – Ottawa Redblack
In 2018, the former seventh round pick earned its place on special teams and worked in an early role through hard work and continuity. Hawell has to overcome many injuries, but is more committed, every time, maintaining a positive attitude and mindset. He has played a leadership role on the team, advised and welcomed young players. He justifies the teammates of the team and helps maintain high levels of energy in the locker room. There is a stable stability in the Howell community, which regularly works voluntarily in young football camps and participates in Ottawa Redblack Foundation programs, with one of the leads of the Redblack Mentarship program. Whether to encourage youth to pursue their dreams through sports or lend hands in community programs, he invests time and energy to help others.
Jeffrey Cantin-Arcu-Montreal Alouets
The first round pick in 2024 immediately protected the superb and influence special teams. Cantin-Arku has gained confidence beyond its years and is seen as a leader on and outside the field. Their rise was the product of additional study and the effort was added, often staying late after practice to deepen their knowledge of the game. While performing media duties, initially soft-spoken, Cantin-Arku has worked hard to find his voice, and he has developed into a confident communicator, who now uses an opportunity to share his personal story to inspire others. He has adopted leadership opportunities on the field and outside the ground, establishing the GCA Football Camp Academy, where he aspires for athletes. He also serves as a spokesperson of Purolator Tackle Hunger, in addition to doing self -service with the welcome hall mission to support weak individuals, in addition to doing self -service. He also regularly visit the school, which provides guidance to young athletes of the next generation.
