VIDEO: Six-fingered lineman J.J. Weaver is more than meets the eye at Riders’ training camp

With an eye focused on developing quality people along with championship-caliber football players, Corey Mace has seen a few players grab his attention at Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.

Near the top of that list is defensive lineman J.J. Weaver.

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Mace said all the rookies arrived while the coaches were sitting around a lunch table, and Weaver quickly made an impression.

“Everybody is kind of quiet and just waiting to be spoken to. J.J. is the first one,” Mace said. “He walked around every table and shook everybody’s hand. It’s just the kind of guy he is.”

Those handshakes were a bit different, as Weaver competes for a spot on the Roughriders roster with a hand that has stood out from the rest.

The 26-year-old player was born with polydactyly, a birth defect which results in extra fingers or toes, which created a sixth finger on his right hand.

During his time at the University of Kentucky, Weaver teamed up with Nike to create a custom six-finger glove, which he said has allowed him a special advantage on the football field.

“God blessed me with this extra finger,” Weaver said. “I’m using (it) to my full ability. I got extra grip, my speed, my power. I can grab you more. It’s a blessing.”

Weaver said he wasn’t always grateful for the extra digit, explaining that he struggled with confidence and acceptance because he was built differently.

“I’ve been bullied all my life about it,” Weaver said. “I got in my comfort zone, like ‘Hey, y’all can’t bully me because God gave me this gift.’”

Weaver’s six-fingered hand has become the logo for his Perfect Fit Foundation, a non-profit organization created seven years ago to assist youths struggling with their emotions or body image.

Recognized in his home state of Kentucky for his charitable works, Weaver said it’s not hard to remember the isolating feelings he dealt with throughout his childhood and teenage years.

“I felt alone,” Weaver said.

“I felt loneliness, I didn’t feel like (anybody) really cared or wanted me.”

Now, he said, he does “whatever I can do to help others be themselves again, or be comfortable with their body.”

The foundation traces its roots back to 2015, with the “15 for Freddie” program Weaver launched in memory of his grandfather, Freddie Weaver.

While the original goal was focused on supporting the homeless community with meals and youth education, Weaver said he felt the need to add grief support programming after experiencing several losses in his life.

“I lost a lot of people I love,” Weaver said.

“It started off with my grandfather. He died from cancer. I started the ‘15 for Freddie’ for him. Then my dad passed away in 2020. He was murdered. Four young teenagers broke into his house and killed him.”

Combined with the loss of his high school coach Rob Reader to cancer shortly after, Weaver said he found himself struggling to handle waves of anger and grief in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weaver said he managed to heal through the help of counseling and therapy, and he has now become an advocate for mental health awareness.

“I dealt with a lot of grief with losing a lot of people I love,” Weaver said. “I think (talking) helped people with grieving.”

While he was attending the University of Kentucky, Weaver launched grief support groups focusing on young adults in the community who have lost parents or mentors.

He’s also spoken at events like the National Symposium on Children’s Grief in 2024, to share his story and advocate for those who have gone through similar traumatic losses.

“I just want to help the youth,” Weaver said. “Just help the kids in my community. I’m big in my community, giving back, and I’m a positive role model in my city and in my community.”

Weaver was recognized in 2024 with the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year honour for his work outside of football, as well as the Ron Butler Character in Adversity Award from the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.

According to Mace, Weaver is showing what the Roughriders are hoping to attract, both in the community and in their locker room.

“What he does on the football field, that’s to be seen,” Mace said. “As far as character is concerned, yeah, we love that.”

Weaver’s determination on the field has been just as evident at the Roughriders’ camp, joining 14 other defensive linemen who made it through the first round of cuts.

“Football is my first love,” Weaver said. “I’ve been playing since I was four, so this is really all I know. It’s my peace, my happiness when I come out here.”

While the Roughriders have several CFL veterans on the defensive line, including Mike Rose and James Vaughters, Weaver said he believes his energy and execution will make him stand out at camp.

“I’m just excited and humbling just to have this experience,” Weaver said. “Just a great team, a great unit, pass rush. The line starts with us up front. We got to get off the ball, I’m big on that.”

Riders training camp notes

What was expected to be pouring rain for Thursday’s training camp session turned into a light sprinkle for much of the morning.

Veteran offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick was not present for practice on Thursday, with Darius Washington taking his place with the starters at right tackle.

Mace was quick to pour cold water on any concerns around the CFL’s reigning most-outstanding offensive lineman.

“Jermarcus is Jermarcus,” Mace said. “He practices at 1,000 miles per hour, so we’re just being smart with the vet.”

University of Regina Rams defensive back Carson Sombach had the play of the day, with an interception on Trevor Harris during the team drills. He’ll prepare to face his brother Jackson on Monday in a pre-season game between the Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders.

The Roughriders also announced the signing of national defensive back Trae Tomlinson, who joined the team Thursday for his first training camp session.

A product of Winnipeg, Tomlinson grew up going to “Banjo Bowl” games between the Roughriders and his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“It’s a bit different growing up a Bomber fan,” Tomlinson said.

“I can’t be a Bomber fan now, because we play them in two weeks and we play Calgary. You got to look past that now, wearing the green and white. Got to (represent) Rider Nation.”

The Roughriders also announced wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland has been moved to the retired list, while they’ve re-signed freshly released wide receiver Juwann Winfree.