Henry, Dean lighting up CFL

Aug. 2—CALGARY — Football is soon to start in Tift County, but one former Tift County player has been excelling at the sport all summer. Malik Henry is making a name for himself in the Canadian Football League.

Playing for the Calgary Stampeders, Henry is among the CFL's top five in both receiving yards and touchdowns, with 496 and 3, respectively. In six games, he has caught 28 passes. His 19.1 yards per catch is best among receivers with at least seven receptions, according to official CFL stats.

Calgary is third in the West Division with a 4-2 record, 2-2 in the division. Unfortunately, they have fallen in consecutive weeks to Winnipeg, who leads the division. The Stampeders will visit the Ottawa Redblacks Aug 5.

Later this year will be a treat for local football fans: Two former Tift County Blue Devils playing one another. On Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, Calgary will take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, which have Larry Dean on their roster.

Dean, who missed Henry by nearly a decade at Tift, has 49 tackles, two sacks and an interception for Saskatchewan this season. The 'Riders are 4-4 so far this year. The two missed lining up against one another in 2021 as Dean suffered a torn Achilles tendon before the regular season began.

This season is Henry's second in the CFL and Dean has been playing in Canada since 2016. Both spent time in the NFL. Dean played for three teams from 2011-15. Henry spent time on the practice squads for both the 49ers and Colts before making his way north.