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UPDATE: Navraj Bassi - Sikh CFL Football Player

Posted by Jodha | Tuesday, June 10, 2008 – 8:34 pm

Since the Sikh community first learned about Navraj (Nuvraj) Singh Bassi, many on the internet have rushed to create facebook groups, orkut groups, and other fan displays.bassi_camp.jpg I think the CFL in general, but the SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS, in particular, will see a new group of excited fans.

Many have wondered about Nuvraj Singh Bassi’s status and luckily here in The Langar Hall, we have made friends with some great Roughrider fans, including Behaving Bradley, photographer Downtown Aaron Brown, Giventofly (GTF), and others on the Roughrider Fan Forums.

So from what I gather, Navraj is still a ‘raw’ player, but many are excited about the player he may become. He seems to have suffered a foot injury, but is still in attendance at training camp. We hope him a speedy recovery and the Roughriders a great season! We’ll try to keep you updated with the help of Behaving Bradley and others from the forum!

——————————————

A long time ago, my fellow Langa(w)r-iter, posed the question:

Can a kesdari Sikh man excel at high levels of athletic competition in the U.S. and practice his faith? [link]

Back then she was introducing us to Darsh Singh, Trinity University’s keshadhari (turbaned) Sikh starter and co-captain.

Today, I introduce you to Navraj Singh Bassi.

Nuvraj Singh Bassi will soon make history as the first keshadhari (turbaned) SIkh in the Canadian Football League (CFL), when he makes his June CFL debut as a member of the Grey Cup Champion Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

bassil.jpgNuvraj, a Vancouver native, attended college at the University of Oregon. Despite receiving more than 40 offers for football scholarships, the North Delta Secondary school player chose to stay in the northwest to remain close to his family. He played a few seasons with the Oregon Ducks. My Pac-10 allegiances aside, he is a great player and a great guy.

I had the chance to meet Navraj a few years ago and I must say that boy can eat!. He is a vegetarian and from what I remember he smashed three large cheese pizzas by himself!! I asked how he got so big and he told me instead of milk, he used to drink half and half.

The six foot six (6′6″) 294 pounder is going to need the size as the Rough Rides Riders (thanks Behaving Bradley!) intend to play him ironman, on both offense and defense, as a member of the D-line and as a blocking tight-end.

Navraj comes from a sports family and they are very enthusiastic about their son’s prospects:navraj.jpg

“We are very excited that he will be given an opportunity to showcase his talents and by the grace of God he will excel in the sport that he has loved since he was a child,” Kulwinder Bassi said of his younger son.

“The Saskatchewan coaches are really impressed with his abilities and Navraj is really enjoying the team atmosphere there,” said older brother Pavan, who recently won the Super Heavyweight boxing championship at the Cloverdale arena and will be defending the title at upcoming summer events. [link]

The Saskatchewan Roughriders fan boards are already buzzing about the Singh

Navraj Bassi- When he was hitting the pads, it made a different sound than the other guys. He’s as big as advertised.

Did he shave?

Nope. The beard was flowing!!! I don’t know how his chinstrap stays on

Hope [he didn't shave], that hair could make a tackle itself.

We can call him Sikh and Destroy Bassi (LOL! I think we have a nickname)[link]

While those of us here in America are still waiting for our first Sikh in the NFL, in the meantime, all of us will be rooting for Navraj!

QUICK UPDATE:

Navraj (also sometimes spelled Nuvraj ) seems to have suffered a foot injury during camp. The Riders blog states that he was let go. However, the discussion boards claim he was still at practice and had been ‘released’ due to his injury, but the hope was that he would return before the end of camp.

Hopefully a Canadian Football fan can keep us updated!

  1. 40 Responses to “UPDATE: Navraj Bassi - Sikh CFL Football Player”

  2. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 4, 2008 at 1:58 pm | Quote

    You mention the Roughriders. Then you call them the Rough Rides. Not being picky, just wanting you to be even more esteemed among the Green and White.
    Kudos to you on a great article!
    BB

  3. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 4, 2008 at 2:02 pm | Quote

    Oh yes, if you want good info, come to riderfans.com/forum

    Say BB sent you. It appears you have already been there. :-)

  4. By Jodha on Jun 4, 2008 at 3:09 pm | Quote

    My bad, Behaving Bradley. Error noted and corrected! Thank you and please keep us up-to-date on the progress of Bassi and the rest of the Rough Riders!

  5. By JeSuisDot on Jun 5, 2008 at 4:33 pm | Quote

    Canadians rock - it’ll probably be another 50 years before we see a sardar in the NFL. Bicharay Amreekan.

  6. By Mewa Singh on Jun 5, 2008 at 8:15 pm | Quote

    Oh please JeSuisDot, that’s because the level of competition in the NFL is much higher than the CFL.

  7. By JeSuisDot on Jun 5, 2008 at 8:38 pm | Quote

    So Mewa - are you saying that Sikhs aren’t as athletic or competitive as Caucasian or African-American athletes? And…thereby saying Navraj isn’t all that athletic either? That’s just cold….

  8. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 5, 2008 at 8:46 pm | Quote

    More than athletic….
    spirited, powerful, a FORCE. I think he is going to do well in the CFL.

  9. By Mewa Singh on Jun 5, 2008 at 9:22 pm | Quote

    So JeSuisDot, I am saying that selection into the CFL is LESS competitive than the NFL. That’s just true….

    Behaving Bradley, any updates? How is his foot?

  10. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 5, 2008 at 9:28 pm | Quote

    Reports from camp didn’t include him today. I believe it is a hamstring pull. Last report, before the little injury, he picked an O lineman off he ground en route to the QB. :) I talked to him briefly on the sidelines at camp on Sunday (first day of regular camp) and he said the leg was ok. Seems friendly, a nice guy.

  11. By Mewa Singh on Jun 5, 2008 at 9:29 pm | Quote

    Did he get the QB? Everyone I know says he is a nice guy as well. To think he got that big as a vegetarian!

  12. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 5, 2008 at 9:45 pm | Quote

    I think the O-lineman stuck in between may have protected the QB. :lol: I saw a pic of him from our camp, full length, and it was nothing compared to seeing him in person. What a tower of a man–awe inspiring…

  13. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 5, 2008 at 10:01 pm | Quote

    I guess it is a foot injury….

  14. By Texas Boy on Jun 6, 2008 at 11:41 am | Quote

    I don’t think he is in the CFL, I didn’t see him on any roster in the CFL, so i guess the injury thing was true.
    Good Try though..

  15. By Mewa Singh on Jun 6, 2008 at 9:09 pm | Quote

    Texas Boy

    He is still trying out. He is hoping to make the team and from what people say his chances, if his foot heals, are strong.

  16. By gagan on Jun 10, 2008 at 1:48 am | Quote

    Hey ppl…
    SSA…
    Have created a community in his name at orkut.com.

    His inclusion is Historical.
    Proud moment for all the Non-Residing Sikhs all over the world.

  17. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:21 am | Quote

    Check this…
    http://www.riderfans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60130

  18. By Jodha on Jun 10, 2008 at 11:33 am | Quote

    Thanks Behaving Bradley. Can I put the pic up on the blog and credit the forum, you, and specifically downtownbrown?

  19. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 10, 2008 at 5:12 pm | Quote

    Yes, Downtown Brown is Aaron Brown and he said to give his permission.

  20. By Jodha on Jun 10, 2008 at 8:43 pm | Quote

    Thanks Behaving Bradley (for the 1,000th time). Update made and the great fans credited!

  21. By Avtar Badasha on Jun 13, 2008 at 7:08 am | Quote

    I am so proud of him. I have known him since he was a little baby.
    I know the whole community wishes him well in his career. Navraj will do very well in this league especially when his foot heals.

  22. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 13, 2008 at 10:39 pm | Quote

    Riders played their first pre-season game tonight, a 33-13 win over the BC Lions.
    I saw Bassi as the players were headed back to the dressing room, and I called his name and gave him the thumbs up sign. He gave it back and smiled. I hope his injury heals soon. Say some prayers for his healing, as we want to see him play!!!

  23. By Mr. Singh on Jun 15, 2008 at 8:37 am | Quote

    This is a very proud moment for all Sikhs to have Navraj Singh playing in a professional sports team - especially when he is also Kesadhari!!! It is so easy in this day and age to succumb to peer pressure and lose our identity, so Navraj Singh not only possesses physical stength, but also spiritual strength. Kudos to his family for raising such a fine young Sikh!!

    I’m looking forward to watching him play against the BC Lions on July 4th, at BC Place in Vancouver.

    I pray that Waheguru blesses Navraj Singh with a long and healthy career full of victories!

  24. By Jesse Parmar on Jun 15, 2008 at 10:12 am | Quote

    Nuvraj is my coach at sands secondary, i was with him when he was 2 weeks before he went to the rough riders he was trainning with coach U ( his old high school coach ) he is a great player when he would train with coach, I would hold the bag for him and he would just kick my ass he has so much speed hes just a great player it took him 2 seconds to take me out and put me on my ass. Im 6′4 290 pounds he would man handle us when we would hold the pounching bag for him. I got a email from him and he said he will be hitting the field shorty i cant wait to see him play

    GOOD LUCK NUVRAJ !

  25. By Jodha on Jun 15, 2008 at 4:03 pm | Quote

    Thanks for the update Jesse! If you can send us an email by either clicking here or clicking on the ‘contact’ link at the top, we would love to possibly interview him. Hope to hear from you!

    Jodha

  26. By P.Singh on Jun 17, 2008 at 8:22 am | Quote

    Jodha,

    I’ve known Nuvraj since he was a baby - we all grew up together. I used to dominate him in our mock WWF wrestling matches….he was only 5 at the time, and yes, I was a few years older, but that’s beyond the point ;)

    I’d be happy to arrange for an interview when he’s back in town. Cheers.

    P.Singh

  27. By dee on Jun 19, 2008 at 8:13 am | Quote

    ello ,/b.

    loving the blog
    love u xxxxxxx

  28. By bclions on Jun 23, 2008 at 11:54 pm | Quote

    ne updates on bassi? last i heard he was cut by the riders…i think he can still make the team if his foot heals. would be great to see the guy play.

  29. By P.Singh on Jun 24, 2008 at 7:42 am | Quote

    ne updates on bassi? last i heard he was cut by the riders…i think he can still make the team if his foot heals. would be great to see the guy play.

    The team has made its cuts; however, Nuvraj is still with the team, even though not officially on it. This bodes very well for him, and I think it indicates the team likes what he brings to the table.

  30. By Behaving Bradley on Jun 24, 2008 at 5:59 pm | Quote

    Check this http://riderville.com/team/roster/detail/?roster_id=317

  31. By DAS on Jul 3, 2008 at 9:56 am | Quote

    He is back on the Team Roster.
    His foot is healing fine,should be playing in a few week,he will be at the S vs BC game in vancouver on july 4.

    http://www.riderville.com/team/roster/detail/?roster_id=317
    http://www.riderville.com/team/roster/

  32. By Devin Bains on Jul 15, 2008 at 1:37 pm | Quote

    Navraj is my cousin and you can say whatever you whant but he is a star

  33. By TNT on Aug 9, 2008 at 6:46 pm | Quote

    ARGO FANS WE WANT BISHOP SIGN THE OFFICIAL WE WANT BISHOP PETETION TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT THX.

    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/we-want-bishop-for-qb1

  34. By Kazza on Aug 12, 2008 at 3:24 am | Quote

    hey all
    navraj is my cousin i am in australia but he is my dads sisters son

    last i heard he did his ankle in

    gr8 article

  35. By Rupinder Singh on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:20 pm | Quote

    When will fellow Sikhs start playing the NHL & MLB? I know there are a few Sikh hockey players, but we need some in the NHL!

  36. By Gurman Minhas on Aug 27, 2008 at 12:46 pm | Quote

    Does he still play, becuase i’ve been to all of the CFL team websites and I can’t find his name

  37. By Behaving Bradley on Oct 2, 2008 at 8:55 pm | Quote

    Nuvraj has been practicing with the Riders again this week.

  38. By Jodha on Oct 5, 2008 at 1:58 pm | Quote

    Thanks Behaving Bradley, how’s he looking? Any other status updates? Thanks again!

  39. By Behaving Bradley on Oct 5, 2008 at 6:09 pm | Quote

    I know nothing more than that he was at practice. I will keep an eye out.

  40. By Axeman on Oct 30, 2008 at 9:43 am | Quote

    I think Dave Sidhu was the first Sikh in the CFL…although he was not a sardar, at least at the time…and there has been one keshadari in the NFL…he played for St. Louis when they won the Superbowl…although I don’t believe he saw any action on the field…

    It will be great to see a sardar on the field…hoping next year works out.

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