Retired Canadian defensive back Courtney Stephen has taken a front-office role with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The native of Brampton, Ont. will serve as the Director, Community Partnerships as of mid-August. According to the team’s website, Stephen will oversee the football club’s community outreach efforts by developing strategies and executing programs designed to promote healthy, active and empowered youth. The main areas of the team’s community focus will continue to be on youth football development, health and wellness education, and delivering strong messaging of social responsibility through gender-based violence awareness, and equality, diversity and inclusion programs.
“We’re extremely excited to have Courtney join our staff as our community partnerships lead as we strive to continue to make a difference in the Greater Hamilton Area,” Matt Afinec, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Tiger-Cats, told Ticats.ca. “Courtney understands our community mandate having been a huge part of it when he was a player. He most recently helped launch our Future Business Leaders Seminar program and we look forward to expanding on that and similar programs moving forward.”
The Northern Illinois product was a first-round pick of the Tiger-Cats in 2012 and played six seasons with the team, making 214 defensive tackles, 39 special teams tackles, 12 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and two sacks. He started games at cornerback and safety while also contributing on special teams.
The six-foot-one, 200-pound defender signed with Calgary in 2019 and played in 17 games, making five defensive tackles and 15 special teams tackles. He signed back with the Ticats for the 2020 season, though it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He retired in June 2021.
