Vernon Adams Jr. Awarded Presidents' Ring
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is this year’s recipient of the team’s esteemed Presidents’ Ring.
The Presidents’ Ring is voted on by the players to select the Stamp who best exemplifies excellence on the field along with leadership, inspiration and motivational skills.
“Vernon is a tremendous competitor, leader and ambassador for the Calgary Stampeders, and we are proud to recognize him as this year’s recipient of the Presidents’ Ring,” said Stampeders president Jay McNeil, who was a back-to-back winner of the Presidents’ Ring himself in 2005 and 2006 while suiting up along the offensive line. “This award reflects the respect Vernon has earned in our locker room through his leadership, work ethic, resilience and unwavering commitment to his teammates. His impact on our club extends far beyond the field, and this honour is a fitting tribute to the example he sets every day.”
In his second season with the Red and White, Adams has played and started in 16 games, completed 308 of his 472 pass attempts (65.3 per cent) for 4,209 yards with 35 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He has added 44 carries for 360 yards and three more scores. Adams has been a Canadian Football League Player of the Week a team-high three times and set a league record in Week 8 with his 18th touchdown pass of the year before throwing an interception. With his play this season, he has also moved into 24th place on the CFL’s all-time passing yards list.
Chosen as a captain by his teammates in back-to-back years, Adams is a leader on the turf as well as in the locker room, regularly addressing the team and making the effort to outwardly encourage every player. His work in the community has been highlighted by visits to the Alberta Children’s Hospital on the day before each home game as part of the longstanding Every Yard Counts program.
“It’s a blessing and an honour,” said Adams. “I just try to be myself all the time. I try to come in with the same mindset and attitude every single day and smile. I want to get better for my teammates and work hard. I try to do the right things on and off the field all the time. I’m just going to keep working to be a better human and a better leader.”
Handed out each year since 1967, it was established by former team president George McMahon and general manager Rogers Lehew. The first-ever recipient was linebacker Wayne Harris who went on to win a Grey Cup championship with the Red and White in 1971, have his number retired by the Stamps in 1973, be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1976 and see his name added to Calgary’s Wall of Fame in 1985.
Recent Presidents’ Ring recipients
2011 – Keon Raymond
2012 – Keon Raymond
2013 – Rob Cote
2014 – Corey Mace
2015 – Rob Cote
2016 – Deron Mayo
2017 – Joshua Bell
2018 – Micah Johnson
2019 – Brandon Smith
2021 – Jamar Wall
2022 – Derek Wiggan
2023 – Derek Wiggan
2024 – Reggie Begelton
2025 – Derrick Moncrief