The 2024 CJFL Past Commissioner Award winner is Demarco Espinoza Mattoon of the Edmonton Wildcats!

He talks with Ryan Watters about his inspiring community service and Ryan tells him he is this year's award recipient.

This is the Wildcats submission for Demarco's work in the community:

Demarco is in his fourth season with the Wildcats and has been relied on for his leadership abilities both on and of the field. In all four of his seasons, he has jumped on every opportunity to give back to the football community - helping ref flag football tournaments, coaching minor camps, and helping at high school jamborees.

Most notably however is the work he does in the inner city. Demarco started volunteering over two years ago with a group putting together bagged lunches and handing them out to the homeless in the downtown core. Last year he decided to get even more involved and is now part of a group that goes out once a week (whether it is -40 or +40) and hands out clothing, drinks, and snacks in the inner city. Demarco’s consistency and calm nature has made him a core part of that team.

Even during the season, Demarco uses the one night a week that he is not practicing to volunteer downtown. During extreme heat waves in the summer, Demarco often initiates getting his teammates together to go hand out water bottles. He also often invites and encourages them to join him at the monthly outreaches.

The team he volunteers with downtown describe him as “a quiet calm with a deep sense of loyalty and service for those who are less fortunate than most of us” and “the guy who shows up and starts working immediately. You won’t even know he’s there until whatever you’re doing becomes easier, you turn and he’s there. He’s always willing to step in and participate, whatever the task may be”.

Demarco is the very definition of quiet and humble. He is never boastful about the inspiring work he does in the community, and never asks for anything in return. He can always be counted on to show up and will step into whatever role needs to be done, whether it is pouring hot chocolates, stepping into hostile situations, or helping with wellness checks. Volunteering in the inner city doesn’t come with any type of reward or recognition, and can often be a thankless job, but Demarco’s desire to serve those who are less fortunate in our community has pushed him to be an integral part of his inner-city outreach team.

The Wildcats are incredibly proud of both the work that Demarco does and his character. He leads by example and has a strong drive to not only make our team better but to make the community better