Jamie Taras
Encyclopedia
Jamie Taras is a former professional Canadian football
player with the Canadian Football League
British Columbia Lions
, and current Director of Community Relations with the BC Lions
. Taras spent his entire 16 year career with the Lions as a fullback
and offensive lineman, and played on two Grey Cup
championship teams with the club.
Taras played Canadian college football
at the University of Western Ontario
. In 2003, Taras was voted a member of the B.C. Lions All-Time Dream Team as part of the club’s 50 year anniversary celebration. Taras' #60 jersey is one of eight numbers retired by the B.C. Lions.
at the University of Western Ontario
. Taras was a slotback
for the Mustangs.
, Taras was drafted by the B.C. Lions
in the third round of the 1987
CFL Draft as a guard
. Taras initially played fullback for the Lions for four years, but achieved the greatest success of his playing career as an offensive guard, and later, center
.
In 1994
, Taras was a part of the Lions' 11-6-1 season that culminated in a Grey Cup
matchup with the Baltimore Stallions
. The Lions ultimately prevailed, 26-23. The following season, 1995
, Taras, playing guard, was named a CFL All-Star for the first time. Taras would be named a CFL All-Star a second time, in 1999
, for his play at center. Taras twice won the DeMarco-Becket Memorial Trophy
as the CFL Western Division
's Most Outstanding Lineman, in 1995
and 1999
. In 1999
, Taras was also awarded the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy
as the Most Outstanding Canadian in the CFL Western Division, and the Tom Pate Memorial Award
, for his outstanding sportsmanship and service to the community.
In 2000
, Taras was a member of the Lion's fourth Grey Cup
championship team. The Lions defeated the Montreal Alouettes
28-26, with Taras snapping the ball to then-Lions quarterback
, Damon Allen
.
Taras retired from the Lions in 2003
, and was voted a member of the B.C. Lions All-Time Dream Team, at the guard position
, as part of the club’s 50 year anniversary celebration. Taras #60 was also retired by the Lions, but curiously, his jersey number was worn during the 2006 CFL season
by then Lions tackle, Jason Jimenez
.
, Taras became the Vice-President of the Canadian Football League Players' Association. Now the Director of Community Relations with the BC Lions.
Taras currently resides in South Surrey, British Columbia
with his wife Jennifer, and their two children. Taras is very active in the Greater Vancouver
area in community and charitable activities.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
player with the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
British Columbia Lions
British Columbia Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
, and current Director of Community Relations with the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
. Taras spent his entire 16 year career with the Lions as a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
and offensive lineman, and played on two Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
championship teams with the club.
Taras played Canadian college football
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. In 2003, Taras was voted a member of the B.C. Lions All-Time Dream Team as part of the club’s 50 year anniversary celebration. Taras' #60 jersey is one of eight numbers retired by the B.C. Lions.
High School and College career
From 1983 to 1986, Taras played Canadian college footballCanadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. Taras was a slotback
Slotback
Slotback is a position in Gridiron football . The slotback is similar to the wide receiver but also has many of the same traits as a running back, lines up closer to the offensive line and often farther back...
for the Mustangs.
Professional career
Following his graduation from the University of Western OntarioUniversity of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, Taras was drafted by the B.C. Lions
British Columbia Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
in the third round of the 1987
1987 CFL season
The 1987 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 34th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 30th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1987:...
CFL Draft as a guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
. Taras initially played fullback for the Lions for four years, but achieved the greatest success of his playing career as an offensive guard, and later, center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
.
In 1994
1994 CFL season
The 1994 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 41st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 37th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1994:...
, Taras was a part of the Lions' 11-6-1 season that culminated in a Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
matchup with the Baltimore Stallions
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
. The Lions ultimately prevailed, 26-23. The following season, 1995
1995 CFL season
The 1995 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 42nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 38th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1995:...
, Taras, playing guard, was named a CFL All-Star for the first time. Taras would be named a CFL All-Star a second time, in 1999
1999 CFL season
-1999 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Danny McManus , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike O'Shea , Toronto Argonauts*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Calvin Tiggle , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
, for his play at center. Taras twice won the DeMarco-Becket Memorial Trophy
DeMarco-Becket Memorial Trophy
The DeMarco–Becket Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy. It is awarded originally to the player selected as the outstanding lineman in the West Division....
as the CFL Western Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
's Most Outstanding Lineman, in 1995
1995 CFL season
The 1995 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 42nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 38th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1995:...
and 1999
1999 CFL season
-1999 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Danny McManus , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike O'Shea , Toronto Argonauts*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Calvin Tiggle , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
. In 1999
1999 CFL season
-1999 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Danny McManus , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike O'Shea , Toronto Argonauts*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Calvin Tiggle , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
, Taras was also awarded the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy
Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy
The Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy is a Canadian Football League award, given to the most outstanding Canadian player in the West Division. Each team nominates a player for this award, from which the winner is chosen...
as the Most Outstanding Canadian in the CFL Western Division, and the Tom Pate Memorial Award
Tom Pate Memorial Award
Every year the Canadian Football League Players' Association presents the Tom Pate Award. It is not a "Jock Award," but rather an award given to players who display qualities that distinguish them from their peers....
, for his outstanding sportsmanship and service to the community.
In 2000
2000 CFL season
-2000 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Dave Dickenson , Calgary Stampeders*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Sean Millington , BC Lions*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Joe Montford , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
, Taras was a member of the Lion's fourth Grey Cup
88th Grey Cup
The 88th Grey Cup was held in 2000 in Calgary. The BC Lions won the game 28-26 over the Montreal Alouettes...
championship team. The Lions defeated the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
28-26, with Taras snapping the ball to then-Lions quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, Damon Allen
Damon Allen
Damon Allen is a former professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts. He is currently second in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal...
.
Taras retired from the Lions in 2003
2003 CFL season
The 2003 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 50th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 46th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2003:...
, and was voted a member of the B.C. Lions All-Time Dream Team, at the guard position
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
, as part of the club’s 50 year anniversary celebration. Taras #60 was also retired by the Lions, but curiously, his jersey number was worn during the 2006 CFL season
2006 CFL season
-2006 Rogers CFL Awards:* CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Geroy Simon , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions...
by then Lions tackle, Jason Jimenez
Jason Jimenez
Jason Jimenez is a tackle for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He is a former member of the 2006 Grey Cup champions, the BC Lions of the CFL...
.
Post-Football life
Following his retirement in 20032003 CFL season
The 2003 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 50th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 46th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2003:...
, Taras became the Vice-President of the Canadian Football League Players' Association. Now the Director of Community Relations with the BC Lions.
Taras currently resides in South Surrey, British Columbia
South Surrey
South Surrey is a neighborhood of Surrey, British Columbia. It borders on the city of White Rock, and at 10,535 people, South Surrey has the largest concentration of persons over the age of 60 of all Surrey's town centres...
with his wife Jennifer, and their two children. Taras is very active in the Greater Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
area in community and charitable activities.