White Rock native and 17-year CFL veteran is most accurate kicker in league history
White Rock’s own Sean Whyte has been nominated for this year’s Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award.
A 17-year Canadian Football League veteran and the most accurate kicker in league history, Whyte is known for his outstanding work ethic and has enjoyed a standout career on the field, starting with the BC Lions in 2007 and returning to his home province’s team in 2022, after spending 2011-2017 with the Montreal Alouettes and 2015-2021 with the Edmonton Eskimos/Elks.
The award, which recognizes a CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s veterans — strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities — echoes Whyte’s on-field as well as off-field dedication throughout his career.
“It’s a really it’s an honour to get a nomination and just be recognized by your team and your community,” Whyte said Thursday (Oct. 9), recalling he learned his team had nominated him for the award.
The CFLer, who grew up in White Rock and South Surrey, is set to play his 227th regular-season game and holds the record for the best career field goal percentage in league history for kickers with more than 125 attempts, according to the CFL. He has earned All-CFL and West Division All-CFL honors and led the CFL in field goal percentage in previous seasons.
His successful career and dedication to his community make him a fitting nominee for the award, the CFL release said, adding Whyte is a respected member of the Lions’ locker room, leading by example and mentoring teammates.
“He visits schools across B.C. through Energy Champions and Lions Pride and he serves as an ambassador for BC Feed the Kids. His work with young players extends beyond the Lions through his efforts with the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC),” the release noted.
Whyte has always been involved in the community, including coaching minor football with the White Rock South Surrey Titans, and even balancing his professional football career with being a White Rock firefighter from 2022 to 2023.
“His commitment to helping others extends to mentoring players transitioning to firefighting from his personal experience,” the release continued.
Whyte has also been recognized with the Jamie Taras Community Service Award in 2022 and was the BC Lions’ nominee for the Tom Pate Memorial Award.
Happy to be back in B.C. playing football the past few years, Whyte enjoys his family — which includes his wife and one-year-old daughter — as well as extended family and friends being able to come out and experience home games in Vancouver.
“It’s a lot of a lot of fun to be able to share what I do with my family … for about 12 years of my career, I couldn’t (in Montreal and Edmonton) — I’d only see my family once a year. It’s really cool to be home.”
Always modest, Whyte admitted he doesn’t really like to talk about himself, but remains honoured with the award nomination.
“I’m trying to do more out in the community. The more I can do, the the better … it’s very rewarding.”
The winner will be announced at the CFL Awards on Thursday, Nov.13, as part of the 2025 Grey Cup Festival.
Viewers can tune in via the league’s livestreaming platform, CFL+.