Ricky Foley
Ricky Foley is a Canadian former professional football defensive end who played in the Canadian Football League. He was selected by the BC Lions in the first round of the 2006 CFL draft. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won in his rookie year in 2006 and also winning in 2012 and 2013. Foley won the CFL's [Most Outstanding Canadian Award] in 2009 and also the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian award in 2012. He played CIS football for the York Lions.
Foley was also a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets of the National Football League, and the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.
Early life
Foley was born in Courtice, Ontario Canada and was raised on a 200-acre farm near Toronto. His father was a farmer and growing up his family didn't have a lot of money. Foley and his family would have to fix things up for much of his youth. After Foley's brother left when he was 14, he was expected to take over farm duties for the family but started to play football, at Paul Dwyer High in Oshawa.University career
Foley played in college for York University. In his senior year, Foley was a Second team CIS All Canadian and during his college career with the Lions, he was twice named to ALL OUA honours.Professional career
Baltimore Ravens
Foley signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 12, 2006. He was released on June 15, 2006.BC Lions (first stint)
When he joined the BC Lions in 2006, Foley had served as a situational pass rusher but with the departure of Cam Wake following the 2008 BC Lions season, Foley earned the starting defensive end position. In 2009, Foley had his first career start at defensive end and subsequently started all 18 games that season, registering 51 defensive tackles, 12 quarterback sacks, and four tackles for a loss. He also had a total of two sacks in the Lions' two playoff games. At the end of the season, Foley won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award.Seattle Seahawks
Foley signed with the Seattle Seahawks on February 13, 2010. He was waived on August 30.New York Jets
On August 31, 2010, the New York Jets claimed Foley off waivers. Foley's tenure would be very brief as he was waived on September 3, 2010. Foley would be signed to the team's practice squad two days later only to be released from the squad on September 7, 2010.Toronto Argonauts (first stint)
On September 14, 2010, Foley signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. His signing came amidst some controversy as the B.C. Lions had announced earlier in the day that they had agreed to terms with Foley. Foley was also interviewed that same morning by Vancouver radio station the Team 1040 where he discussed his return to the Lions. "When I chose B.C., it was like that's the team that I've won a Cup with, winning Canadian Player of the Year, leading the league in sacks, with my boys out there and the staff. It's where I know I've had success, and I love the city out there. They support the Lions so much out there." Lions head coach and general manager Wally Buono later confirmed that Foley had changed his mind and signed with the Argonauts instead of the Lions. "He's done an about face. We think the pressures from the family had a lot to do with it. We're not going to stand in the way if this is what he wants and we'll move on."On November 25, 2012, Foley played in the 100th Grey Cup for the Argonauts who went on to win the Grey Cup championship. After the Grey Cup game, Foley was awarded the Dick Suderman Trophy as its "Most Valuable Canadian" player.