A pivotal member of the calgary Colts defensive corps, defensive end Jason Orey, first put on the pads at age 10 after a more popular sports route was denied.
“Like every kid growing up in Canada I wanted to play hockey,” says Orey, “but my mom didn't want to be driving across the city in the winter and my dad wasn't home a lot so she was kinda like ‘find a different sport’.”
Thanks to encouragement from his uncle, Jason found football. Eight years later, Orey’s in his second season under the established system of defensive coordinator, and now head coach, John Stevens.
Colts offensive coordinator, Adam Blasetti, says Orey’s growth as a defensive lineman is hard to ignore.
“Allowing a kid like Orey, who has developed in the system for the last two years, to really execute and use all of the experience he has from playing the last couple of years, as well as the commitment he has done to his offseason training has really helped him to not only become a leader but to be able to be a good solid football player for this team,” says Blasetti.
Suiting up for the Colts offers Jason the chance to extend his playing career while he studies science at Mount Royal University.
Graduating from the city's best high school program at Bishop O’Byrne gave him a solid foundation.
“They’ve got a good coaching staff there who demand accountability, says Blasetti. “As he was growing and maturing at a young age in football he was taught what it takes to be better at the next level and what will set him apart from being a starter to a great football player or an average football player.”
“The main thing is its given me leadership,” says Orey. “It’s kinda helped me mature a little bit faster and you learn to communicate with other people and become a more outgoing person because of it.”
Jason Orey is the CTV Athlete of the Week sponsored by Big Chief Beef Jerky.
