Linebacker Jones calls it a career
Winner of Grey Cup and Vanier Cup, linebacker eyes future as B.C. firefighter
Riley Jones accomplished a lot in his football career.
He knows he'll likely be remembered for one play, though.
On Monday, the Calgary Stampeders announced the 27-yearold linebacker was retiring from professional football after three seasons with the team.
He played 49 regular-season games and five post-season contests with the team.
One play stands out.
In the fourth quarter of the 2018 Grey Cup, the Stampeders were up 24-14 and punted the ball downfield. The lingering memories of losses in the previous two championship games loomed large.
Ottawa Redblacks returner Diontae Spencer fielded the ball and took off across the field. One, two, three, four Stampeders defenders missed him and it looked like he might be able to turn the corner and take the ball back for a big return.
Then, Jones stepped up with a miraculous tackle that not only took down Spencer, but knocked the ball loose. The Stamps recovered and it might as well have been game, set, match.
“That's definitely the highlight (of my career),” Jones said. “I've been fortunate to be on a Vanier Cup-winning team and a Grey Cup-winning team. Not that many guys can say that. I've been around some incredible players and incredible coaches. The fact that that game, I was in the right place and the right time and was able to contribute to us getting a ring, it's definitely something I'll remember for the rest of my life and hopefully show the kids one day.”
Jones won a Vanier Cup with the UBC Thunderbirds in 2015 before signing with the Stamps as an undrafted free agent two years later. He largely served as a backup linebacker and was a critical special teams player.
His decision to retire is 100 per cent unrelated to uncertainty surrounding the CFL right now, he said. Instead, it came from a series of “long conversations” with those close to him about his goals and where he sees himself in the future.
Jones said he has a few lingering injury issues and is applying to be a firefighter back home in British Columbia, so wanted to leave the game with his health intact.
“The plan is to be a firefighter, hopefully within the next year,” Jones said. “It's a transition a lot of guys have done and I've got a bunch of buddies who are firefighters and whatnot, so I've just talked to them about their life and their lifestyle.
“It seems like it's just a big football team, but instead of game days you're going with lights and sirens to some call. That just kind of seems like something I'd be into.”