Kory Sheets: From NFL Underdog To CFL Grey Cup Hero
Discover the inspiring journey of Kory Sheets, a standout running back who overcame NFL setbacks to break records in the CFL and earn Grey Cup MVP honors.
Jul 27, 2025325 Shares46.4K Views
Kory Sheetsis a former football running back who turned heads during his college years at Purdue University. He led the Boilermakers in scoring and touchdowns, and left many school records in his wake. Standing about 5 foot 11 and weighing around 203 lbs, he took the field with strength and agility. After college, he signed with the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and spent time with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Oakland Raiders. His journey then led north to Canada, where he starred for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL and was named Grey Cup MVP in a championship game with a record-shattering performance.
Early Life
Kory Gerren Sheets was born on March 31, 1985, in Manchester, Connecticut. He went to Bloomfield High School in Connecticut, where he played football as an all-purpose back and led his team to a state championship. In his final year, he rushed for 2,588 yards and scored 41 touchdowns. That season, he was named Connecticut Player of the Year by The Hartford Courant and included on the All State team by the New Haven Register. Sheets also earned All State and All American honors in track and field. By the time he finished high school, Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 23 all-purpose back in the nation.
Professional Career
Kory Sheets began his pro career in 2009 after not being chosen in the NFL draft. The San Francisco 49ers signed him as a free agent, but he did not make the final team. Instead, he joined their practice squad.
In October 2009, the Miami Dolphins signed him from the 49ers’ practice squad. He played two games and had a single rush for five yards. In August 2010, he suffered a serious Achilles injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve, which ended his season early. He was released by the Dolphins in August 2011.
Later in 2011, he joined the Carolina Panthers practice squad but did not play in any regular season games.
In February 2012, Sheets signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In his first CFL game, he rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown. His strong performance in training earned him the starting running back role.
In the 2012 CFL season, Sheets rushed for 1,277 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, finishing second in the league in rushing yards.
The 2013 CFL season was even better. Sheets broke records by gaining 442 rushing yards in the first three games. He ran for more than 100 yards in six straight games. By season’s end, he had rushed for 1,598 yards, tied the franchise record with nine 100-yard games, and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. He was also named a Western All-Star in the CFL.
On November 24, 2013, in the 101st Grey Cup, Sheets ran for a CFL championship game record of 197 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. His effort helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders win 45–23, and he was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
In February 2014, Sheets returned to the NFL by signing with the Oakland Raiders. He was waived in August after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a preseason game, which ultimately ended his playing career.
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