Jay Roberts facts for kids

Jay Roberts (October 20, 1942 – October 6, 2010) was a talented Canadian football player. He was known for playing with the Ottawa Rough Riders. Jay Roberts helped his team win the Grey Cup championship twice. These big wins happened in 1968 and 1969.

Before playing professionally, he was a college athlete. He attended the University of Kansas.

Early Life and College Sports

Jay Roberts was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1942. He grew up to be a very athletic person. At the University of Kansas, he was a special athlete. He was one of the last people to play three different sports there.

He played football, basketball, and even did the high jump in track. In basketball, he had a famous moment. He scored a winning shot with only three seconds left. This shot helped his team win a big tournament game in 1962.

Professional Football Career

After college, Jay Roberts joined the Ottawa Rough Riders. He played as a tight end. A tight end is a player who can block for runs and catch passes. He was a key part of the team's success.

The Rough Riders won the Grey Cup in 1968 and 1969. The Grey Cup is the championship trophy for Canadian football. Winning it twice was a great achievement for Roberts and his team. He played for the Rough Riders from 1964 to 1970.

Legacy and Health Research

Jay Roberts passed away in 2010 when he was 67 years old. He made a very important decision before he died. He chose to donate his brain and spinal cord for medical research. He was the first player from the CFL to do this.

Scientists later studied his brain. They found signs of a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a brain disease. It is linked to getting many hits to the head over time. Roberts' donation helped doctors learn more about CTE. His contribution is very important for understanding player safety.

Jay Roberts' son, Jed Roberts, also became a professional football player. Jed played in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos.