Jason Riley

Sharing my book Taming Mad Dog, I will illustrate how football influenced my life as a small boy leading to my journey from being bullied as a young child to becoming a mentor and advocate for youth in Hamilton. The discussion aims to shed light on how physical literacy can be crucial to reducing bullying and its potentially negative long-term impact on our kids. Mindfulness themes of relaxation, meditation, and visualization emerge to enhance mental health strategies.

Jason Riley played professional football in the CFL for 11 years before transitioning into education, where he dedicated 30 years to teaching while also coaching high school and university football. He and his wife Paulette have been married for 39 years and are proud parents to twins Jordan and Jessica, and son Jason Jr. They are also grandparents to 2-year-old Connor.

Achievements:

• 2021 – received CFLAA Alumnus of the Year Award

• 2019 – Inducted into the inaugural UBC Thunderbirds Football Wall of Honour

• 2019 – Chosen as #13 on the UBC Thunderbirds 100 Year Team

• 1995 – Inducted Hamilton Tiger-Cats Walk of Fame

• 1986, 88, 89, 92 – CFL Eastern Division All- Star

• 1989 – CFL All-Canadian All-star

• 1987 – Charlotte Simmons Humanitarian Award - Tiger-Cat most involved in Community

• 1986 – Grey Cup Champion, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

• 1983 - 1st Round CFL Draft Pick, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

• 1981 & 1982 – Canada West All-Star; U-Sport All-Canadian; Canada West Conference nominee for the J.P.

  Metras Trophy (best lineman in the country)