Smilin’ Hank has one more reason to grin after joining the Chicago Bears coaching staff for training camp.
The Athletic’s Adam Jahns reported Henry Burris would be joining Matt Nagy’s group.
The hiring is part of the Bill Walsh diversity coaching fellowship which has existed since 1987 to use NFL clubs’ training camps, off-season workout programs and mini-camps to give talented coaches opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience with the end goal being permanent NFL employment.
It’s is more good news for Burris, as he was also inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame earlier in July. He appeared in 294 career games with Calgary, Saskatchewan, Hamilton, and Ottawa, winning three Grey Cups in five appearances. Burries threw for 63,639 yards over 18 seasons and remains the third-leading passer — and third-leading rusher among quarterbacks — in CFL history. In 2010 and 2015 man with the smile recognized across Canada earned the league’s Most Outstanding Player Award.
The NFL coaching program would likely see Burris involved in training camp activities and he could return to his regular broadcasting duties at TSN once a potential CFL season begins, though some participants in the program end up hired full-time.
Chicago will be a familiar environment as Burris played quarterback for the Bears during the 2002 season.
