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CJFL Weekend Warrior: Jordan Kuziek

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 04/13/17, 10:00AM PDT

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He was a CJFL All-Canadian in 2016

Photo courtesy of Louis Christ Photography

He has been one of the most dominating offensive linemen in junior football the last two seasons for the Calgary Colts.

Jordan Kuziek first made a name for himself as a rookie member of the VI Raiders in 2012 helping them to undefeated season (9-0-1).  The following year Kuziek and the Raiders appeared in the Canadian Bowl in Regina, not knowing that would be his final season as a Raider.

Following a coaching change and then sitting out the 2014 season, Kuziek made his way off the Island, away from home and across the Rocky Mountains for the Colts and has made an tremendous impact.  The 2016 season was perhaps his best as a junior, winning an All-Canadian award.

U Sports schools have also taken a keen interest in the 6’4, 275-pounder as no fewer than four programs have reached out including Regina, Concordia, York and Ottawa.

That said Kuziek has been battling concessions throughout his career and was seriously considering not returning in 2016, “but when you see how far this program (Colts) has gone in three seasons, it’s hard not to want to come back. Going from 0-8 in 2013, to playing in three straight PFC finals, it’s truly amazing and I am very lucky to be a part of the turn around with this organization.”

However now that the 2016 season is in the books the Nanaimo native says his playing days are over, “I am actually hanging up the cleats. It was a risky move to come back this past season for health reasons. So I am going to walk away now and just be happy that I got to play the best game in the world for over 10 years. My long term goal is to move back home and start coaching my little brother as he’s going into his first season this upcoming spring.”

Despite knowing he’s not returning in 2017 Kuziek has stayed in Calgary working for a company that stages homes when trying to sell them. He’s worked at the same company for three years and says, “I could not ask for better owners who support me and the Colts.”

Now that he’s “retired” he and his fiancé will continue to take long drives and spend a lot of time outdoors.  Either that or “I spend a lot of time eating.”

He will be missed on the field, but don’t be surprised if he’s back on the sideline as a coach in the not too distant future.

Jordan Kuziek of the Calgary Colts is a CJFL Weekend Warrior.