| No. 60 Edmonton Elks | |
 Richards with the Argonauts in 2022 | |
| Born: | June 4, 1995 Kingston, Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Offensive lineman |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) |
| Weight | 325 lb (147 kg) |
| College | Oklahoma State New Mexico Military |
| CJFL | Calgary Colts |
| High school | Crescent Heights |
| CFL draft | 2019, Round: 1, Pick: 1 |
| Drafted by | Toronto Argonauts |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2019–2023 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 2024–present | Edmonton Elks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Shane Richards (born June 4, 1995) is a professional Canadian football offensive lineman for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1]
Early playing career[edit]
Following high school, Richards played for the Calgary Colts of the Canadian Junior Football League in the 2014 season and practiced with the Calgary Stampeders as a territorial rights player that same year.[1][2][3] He then attended New Mexico Military Institute to play college football for the Broncos in 2015.[1] After seeing success there, he transferred to play for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2016 where he played in four games as a junior.[4] He had a redshirt season in 2017 and returned to play his senior year in 2018 where he played in eight regular season games and in the Liberty Bowl victory over Missouri.[4]
Professional career[edit]
Toronto Argonauts[edit]
Upon entering the CFL Draft, Richards was ranked as the second-best prospect by the Central CFL Scouting Bureau for players eligible in the 2019 CFL Draft.[5] He was eventually drafted first overall in the draft by the Toronto Argonauts and signed with the team at a team draft party with season ticket holders on May 2, 2019, to a three-year contract.[1][6] Richards was an opening day starter for the team in the 2019 season and played in his first professional game on June 22, 2019, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[7] He suffered a groin injury in practice before the second game of the season and was on the injured reserve for the next ten games. He dressed in the last seven games of the season and played eight in total for his rookie year.[7]
Edmonton Elks[edit]
On April 9, 2024, Richards signed with the Edmonton Elks in free agency.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Richards was born in Kingston, Jamaica to Daniel and Opel Richards and moved to Calgary as a child where he grew up and attended Crescent Heights High School.[9][3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d O'Leary: Richards anchors big draft night for Argos and their fans, Toronto Argonauts, May 3, 2019, retrieved May 11, 2019
- ^ "Nine former CJFL players were selected in the CFL Draft". Canadian Junior Football League. May 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Calgary talent Shane Richards possible top pick in CFL Draft". Calgary Sun. May 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "67 Shane Richards". Canadian Junior Football League. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ Wilkinson, Desjarlais climb final CFL Scouting Bureau rankings, Canadian Football League, April 12, 2019, retrieved April 13, 2019
- ^ Argos select OL Shane Richards first overall, Canadian Football League, May 2, 2019, retrieved May 11, 2019
- ^ a b Hogan: A new look Shane Richards Preps for 2021, Toronto Argonauts, January 14, 2021, retrieved January 19, 2021
- ^ "TRANSACTIONS ! Elks sign three former first-round picks". Edmonton Elks. April 9, 2024.
- ^ "2019 CFL Draft: Toronto Argonauts select Oklahoma State OL Shane Richards first overall". cowboysrideforfree.com. May 2, 2019.