2x Grey Cup Champ named PG Kodiaks Director of Football Ops

Raymond and Kodiaks President Craig Briere struck up a friendship a few years ago when Prince George sent a 7-on-7 football team to Calgary for a tournament.

“We’ve worked for several years now to get the Kodiaks to the point where we’re at now. We’ve got a tremendous amount of people involved, all the way from our Board of Directors to our coaches, to our players. We’ve felt we’ve created the best-in-class organization that is going to allow for us to grow, and with that, we needed a leader on the operational side of things in order to really take us to the next level to allow our players to get the training, and experience they need to be successful. So when we looked for that person, we started searching all over Western Canada and at the end of the day, we had a relationship with Keon through 7-on-7. Keon very quickly came to the top. He’s a proven winner, but most importantly he’s an amazing person. He’s by far one of the greatest people you’ll ever meet.”

As the Director of Football Operations, Raymond will be responsible for all of the organization’s programming. He’s going to ensure both the players and coaches are receiving the resources needed in order to succeed both on and off of the field.

After attending Middle Tennessee State, Raymond signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans of the NFL in 2006. The next year, he moved to the Arena Football League, playing as a member of the Nashville Kats and New Orleans Voodoo before heading north of the border with the Canadian Football League. From 2008 to 2015, the defensive back played with the Calgary Stampeders. He won a pair of Grey Cups (2008 and 2014) with the Club and was named a CFL West All-Star twice (2011-2012).

In 2016, Raymond, a product of St Louis, Missouri, split time with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats before hanging up the cleats and beginning a company called K25 Sports. He then started the 7-on-7 club three years ago in Calgary, known as Big Time Players.

“I love football. Me coming from the States, I feel deep down in my heart the kids up here (in Canada) can play just as well as the kids down south of the border.”

Raymond believes football players in Canada lack a lot of the similar opportunities that are readily available to those south of the border in the United States, which has been something Briere has been working to address with the Kodiaks Football program in Prince George.

“Having the opportunity to develop our own program here in Calgary and being a pro after so many years, and wanting to stay involved with the game and being able to have the opportunity to give back, and teach, and grow, I’m excited,” said Raymond. “I’m excited to come to PG and bring a little flavour, some culture, and an attitude for community football.”

While the 38-year-old brings with him a well-built resume, he knows – much like the game of football – it’s not a one-man show.

“As much as I feel I bring to the table, I think it’s the community that is going to have to back this program.”

Raymond plans on moving to Prince George towards the end of the summer, along with his wife Bianca and kids.

by Ethan Ready

2x Grey Cup Champ named PG Kodiaks Director of Football Ops

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