Jake Cody to Be Honored on September 26th

The Vancouver Island Raiders, 2008 Canadian Bowl Champions, have seen a lot of things in their short 5 year existence. Amongst the championship titles and countless wins has been some adversity.

Never was this more the case than when #97 Jake Cody broke his neck on the first ever VI Raiders play in 2005. A team that had yet to see a game in the BCFC now had to deal with one of the most difficult situations in sports, a serious injury to a player.

From the help of so many in the community, none more instrumental than Roger McKinnon, Jake Cody was provided every opportunity to put the accident behind him. In true Raider fashion, Jake Cody capitalized on his opportunity and became an ever lasting inspiration to his team.

He came back as a coach and coached until the end of the 2006 campaign winning a National Championship in his final year. "He is a warrior," explained Snoop Blokker, "he is everything a "Raider" is supposed to stand for. He embodies everything that I want our players to be. When we take the field for a game or even practice, we strive to fight a fraction as hard as he did. He continually makes us a better team."

It is this sentiment that has lead the Raiders give him an honour not bestowed on any other player in team history, the retirement of his number. "Number 97 is Jake's number," said Blokker, "and when we see it we are reminded what it means to play for this team."

The jersey retirement ceremony will be conducted at half time on September 26 vs. the Victoria Rebels in what could be the biggest home game of the year. Tickets are available in advance by calling 250-754-1004 or cole@viraiders.ca