Courtesy: CFL
The CFL has unveiled its 2026 class for the Diversity in Football Program, which is now in its fifth year.
Each of the members will join football operations departments around the league for approximately four weeks. The full list of participants can be found below.
The group includes several longtime CFL players, most notably Bralon Addison. The 32-year-old recently retired after playing seven seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Redblacks, making 303 receptions for 3,543 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was named All-CFL in 2019.
Jonathan Rose, who played four seasons at defensive back with the Redblacks, will return to the team as a coach. The 32-year-old native of Leeds, Ala. was a two-time All-East Division selection who helped the team win the Grey Cup in 2016.
“Much like our country, the CFL and the Canadian football community fully support diverse viewpoints and experiences,” said CFL chief revenue officer Tyler Keenan in a statement. “Football is for everyone and its lessons of leadership and teamwork can impact anyone from every walk of life. Through this program, we can provide our participants with the opportunity to further their professional careers in the industry, and more importantly, to help better connect our sport with their communities.”
Some past participants who have gone on to earn full-time roles in the CFL include Ottawa Redblacks special teams assistant and quality control coach Nate Taylor and Edmonton Elks running backs coach Jabari Arthur.
Montreal | Micah Brown | Coaching | Sherbrooke, Que.
Ottawa | Jonathan Rose | Coaching | Ottawa
Toronto | Leroy Ackom | Video | Mississauga, Ont.
Hamilton | Myles Manalo | Special Teams, Ops and Personnel | Burlington, Ont.
Winnipeg | Bralon Addison | Coaching | Ottawa
Saskatchewan | Mary Adarkwa | Strength and Conditioning | Malton, Ont.
Calgary | Shaq Johnson | Coaching | Brampton, Ont.
Edmonton | Jacob Nandan | Strength and Conditioning | Brampton, Ont.
BC | Marianne de Vera | Athletic Therapy | Brampton, Ont.