Jamie Taras

NFL player


Color=#f7923a
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DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1966|1|31
Birthplace=flagicon|Canada Acton, Ontario, Canada
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Position=Center/Guard/Fullback
College=University of Western Ontario
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Career Highlights=Y
CFLAllStar=1995, 1999
Awards=1999 Tom Pate Memorial Award
ProBowls=
years=1987-2003

teams=British Columbia Lions

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Jamie Taras (born January 31, 1966 in Acton, Ontario, Canada) is a former professional Canadian football player with the Canadian Football League British Columbia Lions, and current Vice President of the Canadian Football League Players' Association. 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.cite web | url = http://www.thenownewspaper.com/issues03/094103/sports/094103sp1.html | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | author = Michael Booth | title = Team Skills Invaluable for Former Lions All-Star | publisher = "The Now Newspaper".com | date = 2004-03-11] 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.cite web | url = http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module=page&id=3060 | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | title = B.C. Lions Dream Team | publisher = BCLions.com] Taras' #60 jersey is one of eight numbers retired by the B.C. Lions.cite web | url = http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module=page&id=3066 | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | title = B.C. Lions Retired Numbers | publisher = BCLions.com]

High School and College career

From 1983 to 1986, Taras played Canadian college football at the University of Western Ontario.cite web | url = http://www.canoe.ca/Slam021031/col_dallacosta-sun.html | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | author = Morris Dalla Costa | title = Lions to Honour ex-Mustang Taras | publisher = "SLAM Sports".com (original article appeared in the "London Free Press") | date = 2002-10-31] Taras was a slotback for the Mustangs.cite web | url = http://www.thenownewspaper.com/issues03/094103/sports/094103sp1.html | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | author = Michael Booth | title = Team Skills Invaluable for Former Lions All-Star | publisher = "The Now Newspaper".com | date = 2004-03-11]

Professional career

Following his graduation from the University of Western Ontario, Taras was drafted by the B.C. Lions in the third round of the 1987 CFL Draft as a guard.cite web | url = http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module=page&id=3059 | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | title = B.C. Lions Draft Picks History | publisher = BCLions.com] 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.cite web | url = http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module=page&id=3060 | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | title = B.C. Lions Dream Team | publisher = BCLions.com] Taras #60 was also retired by the Lions, but curiously, his jersey number was worn during the 2006 CFL season by current Lions tackle, Jason Jimenez.

Post-Football life

Following his retirement in 2003, Taras became the Vice-President of the Canadian Football League Players' Association. Taras also works as a consultant with Wardell Professional Development in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Taras currently resides in South Surrey, British Columbia with his wife Jennifer, and their two children.cite web | url = http://www.thenownewspaper.com/issues03/094103/sports/094103sp1.html | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | author = Michael Booth | title = Team Skills Invaluable for Former Lions All-Star | publisher = "The Now Newspaper".com | date = 2004-03-11] Taras is very active in the greater Vancouver area in community and charitable activities.cite web | url = http://www.thenownewspaper.com/issues03/094103/sports/094103sp1.html | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | author = Michael Booth | title = Team Skills Invaluable for Former Lions All-Star | publisher = "The Now Newspaper".com | date = 2004-03-11]

References

Persondata
NAME = Taras, Jamie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Canadian football player
DATE OF BIRTH = January 31, 1966
PLACE OF BIRTH = Acton, Ontario, Canada
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =