The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ most outstanding Canadian player last season won’t be suiting up for the green and white this year.
The Riders announced a big-name trade Saturday that sends six-foot-three, 245-pound defensive end Ricky Foley to the Toronto Argonauts for six-foot, 228-pound linebacker Shea Emry.
The 32-year-old Foley, who signed a contract extension with Saskatchewan just last month, was named the Riders’ top Canadian player after the 2014 campaign. The native of Courtice, Ont. contemplated retirement after winning a Grey Cup with Saskatchewan in 2013, but kept his cleats laced to record 12 sacks, 54 defensive tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble return last season.
Emry, a seven-year CFL veteran from Richmond, B.C., recorded 72 defensive tackles, five tackles for a loss, four pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one sack last year in his lone season with Toronto.
The 28-year-old Emry played six seasons with the Montreal Alouettes before joining the Argos.
He was named a CFL all-star and nominated as the eastern division’s most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding Canadian in 2012. He’s notched 333 defensive tackles, 43 special teams tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and four interception during his career.
He won Grey Cup championships with the Als in 2009 and 2010.
Foley’s Grey Cup win with the Riders was his third. He won in 2006 with the B.C. Lions and in 2012 with Toronto.
--- with files from the Canadian Press
