Can ex-cons play in the Canadian Football League?

Question

I was a great college football player who made a terrible mistake in college. I was charged with a felony and spent 3yrs in prison. I have been playing semi-pro football here in houston. I wanted to know if I could play in the Canadian Football League with a felony?

Answer 1

yeah... you can also play in the nfl....

Answer 2

Your name is not Ricky Williams. Technically, you can't but somehow Cdn laws were usurped. You can play football in the NFL--look at alll the guys with criminal records playing there now. Arena football is an option too.

As far as I know you'd need a work visa to play in the CFL and probably a passport to put that visa in. I think anyone with a criminal record cannot even get a passport, right, unless you get your record expunged.

Answer 3

Most teams have US tryouts in the winter/early spring (too late for this year, the season is well underway).  Check the individual teams web sites for tryout info. There are links to them on www.cfl.ca

If a team is interested in signing you, they may be able to get you a Minister's Permit to cross the border (as was done for Lawrence Phillips).  You won't be able to cross the border otherwise.

Answer 4

contact the CFL through their website and ask

www.cfl.ca

Answer 5

Sure, Ricky Williams is playing there now!  And look at Warren Moon and Doug Flutie (no official offense, but still).

Answer 6

sure they can play there. ricky williams is playin isnt he?

Answer 7

Sure, the catch is you have to get clearance to enter the country.

If you were that good a GM would already have you on his negotiation list and be working on the paper work. Remember Lawrence Phillips, he played 2 years in Canada and had quite a rap sheet. I believe there is a warrant for his arrest for assault waiting for him in Montreal. Good luck, but beware it is difficult for many American players to adapt to the canadian game.

Answer 8

sure. we have current convicts playing the NFL NOW.