 | This articledoes notcite anysources containingsignificant coverage. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to sources containing significant coverage. Articles without significant coverage do not demonstratenotability and may bedeleted. Find sources: "C. J. Avery" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(December 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| No. 35 Saskatchewan Roughriders | |
 Avery with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024 | |
| Born: | (1999-03-22)March 22, 1999 (age 26) Grenada, Mississippi, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 232 lb (105 kg) |
| College | Louisville |
| High school | Grenada H.S. |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022* | Chicago Bears |
| 2023 | Vegas Vipers |
| 2024* | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2024–present | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career stats | |
| |
C. J. Avery (born March 22, 1999) is an American professionalfootballlinebacker for theSaskatchewan Roughriders of theCanadian Football League (CFL). He playedcollege football for theLouisville Cardinals and also had a stint with theChicago Bears of theNational Football League (NFL) and theVegas Vipers of theXFL.
Avery playedcollege football for theLouisville Cardinals from 2017 to 2021.[1] He played in 54 games where he had 349 total tackles, nine sacks, three interceptions, 16 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. As a four-year starter for Louisville, he led the team in tackles in 2019 and 2020.[2]
Avery signed with theChicago Bears of theNational Football League (NFL) on May 6, 2022.[3] He was later waived with an injury settlement on August 12, 2022.[4]
Avery was drafted by theVegas Vipers in the eighth round, 64th overall of the2023 XFL Draft.[5] In the first game of the season against theArlington Renegades, Avery recorded the first interception of the2023 season.[6] He started all 10 games and finished with 62 tackles and one interception.[2]
On January 16, 2024, it was announced that the Avery had signed with theMontreal Alouettes.[7] He was released on March 5.[8]
Avery was signed by theSaskatchewan Roughriders on April 15.[9] He played in the first game of the season against theEdmonton Elks on June 8 and recorded an interception. In his next game against theHamilton Tiger-Cats, he would have another interception that would set up the game-winning field goal. In doing so, he became the first player sinceHarry Skipper in1986 to have at least one interception in their first two games as a member of the Roughriders.[10] On August 15, he was placed on 1-game injured list.[11] On August 21, he was activated from the injured reserve.[11] He would finish the season with 59 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions, and one forced fumble in 19 games.[12]
Avery's grandfather played football at theUniversity of Virginia and his dad,Chris Avery, played for theArena Football League andWorld League of American Football in Spain. His cousin isGenard Avery.[13]