UPDATE: Navraj Bassi – Sikh CFL Football Player
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.
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!
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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.
Nuvraj, 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:
“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!
107 Responses to “UPDATE: Navraj Bassi – Sikh CFL Football Player”
Navraj is my cousin and you can say whatever you whant but he is a star
Navraj is my cousin and you can say whatever you whant but he is a star
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-f…
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
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
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
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!
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!
Does he still play, becuase i've been to all of the CFL team websites and I can't find his name
Does he still play, becuase i’ve been to all of the CFL team websites and I can’t find his name
Nuvraj has been practicing with the Riders again this week.
Nuvraj has been practicing with the Riders again this week.
Thanks Behaving Bradley, how's he looking? Any other status updates? Thanks again!
Thanks Behaving Bradley, how’s he looking? Any other status updates? Thanks again!
I know nothing more than that he was at practice. I will keep an eye out.
I know nothing more than that he was at practice. I will keep an eye out.
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.
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.
[…] Roughriders in the CFL(Canadian football League), he weighs roughly 300lbs and is 6’6 tall. The Langar Hall Blog Archive UPDATE: Navraj Bassi – Sikh CFL Football Player – Mike Mahler, a "vegan" strengh trainer, he has the size to show that anything is […]
[…] A sikh in Canadian Football League http://thelangarhall.com/archives/304 […]
i am from azaad monthly history mgazine from montreal canada we r happy and also we need his tel # if u can send me in e-mail thanks
i am from azaad monthly history mgazine from montreal canada we r happy and also we need his tel # if u can send me in e-mail thanks
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130059&…
I hope this link works. Navraj at Roughriders Rookie Camp. He is now an O lineman.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130059&id=603141110&l=06e8750401#/photo.php?pid=3277867&id=603141110
I hope this link works. Navraj at Roughriders Rookie Camp. He is now an O lineman.
I have thanked you before, but I thank you again Behaving Bradley. You truly are what makes blogs like this work. Thanks again for the update!
Navraj is listed as O line but camp reports tell of D line practice.
Sikh and destroy!
I have thanked you before, but I thank you again Behaving Bradley. You truly are what makes blogs like this work. Thanks again for the update!
Navraj is listed as O line but camp reports tell of D line practice.
Sikh and destroy!
keep it up,this the way to tell sikh youth ,you can reach any height, hair is not a problem. Mr Singh International is also a endeavor to prove Turbaned sikhs mettle in showbiz.
keep it up,this the way to tell sikh youth ,you can reach any height, hair is not a problem. Mr Singh International is also a endeavor to prove Turbaned sikhs mettle in showbiz.
HELLO
am an agent here in European i can get you any club of your dream so if you really in need of club respond to me in time so that i can start processing on your links
summeragentunited@yahoo.co.uk
REGARD
COLLINS BROWN
HELLO
am an agent here in European i can get you any club of your dream so if you really in need of club respond to me in time so that i can start processing on your links
summeragentunited@yahoo.co.uk
REGARD
COLLINS BROWN
yayyy bro m navraj bassi's fan yaar.. i start playoin football in high skool i play wide receiver m in pure sikhi..:) iwanna be player in nfl of usa.. i love ya bro.. iwanna talk wid yu:) m also gonna workhard ..:))#44
yayyy bro m navraj bassi's fan yaar.. i start playoin football in high skool i play wide receiver m in pure sikhi..:) iwanna be player in nfl of usa.. i love ya bro.. iwanna talk wid yu:) m also gonna workhard ..:))#44
Looks like Bassi's going out east!!
http://en.montrealalouettes.com/roster/index/team…
Looks like Bassi's going out east!!
http://en.montrealalouettes.com/roster/index/team…
Good article. Very progressive. NFL will reflect talent. No one cares about religion in the states when it comes to sports. If you can help a team win you are in. Doesn't matter if you are an ex con, dog fighter or adulterer. CFL talent pool not so deep. Allows for more diversity. NBA has had Muslims for years. Hakeem Olajuwan (excuse the spelling) probably the most famous. Also Chris Jackson (Makmoud Abdul rauf) even after making some inflammatory remarks and refusing to stand for the national anthem. Time will tell in the NFL but talent will be thedeciding factor.
An American in Canada
P.s. Why do canadians always compare themselves to Americans. Americans never compare themselves to canadians. Just a question.
Good article. Very progressive. NFL will reflect talent. No one cares about religion in the states when it comes to sports. If you can help a team win you are in. Doesn’t matter if you are an ex con, dog fighter or adulterer. CFL talent pool not so deep. Allows for more diversity. NBA has had Muslims for years. Hakeem Olajuwan (excuse the spelling) probably the most famous. Also Chris Jackson (Makmoud Abdul rauf) even after making some inflammatory remarks and refusing to stand for the national anthem. Time will tell in the NFL but talent will be thedeciding factor.
An American in Canada
P.s. Why do canadians always compare themselves to Americans. Americans never compare themselves to canadians. Just a question.
[…] in the day I wrote a post on this budding football player and since that time many thought he dropped off the map. Despite the lapse in time, this now 28 […]
[…] This particular story’s resolution was long and painful, with Milton ending up at Utah State and the Coach Andros cowed into rescinding his ban by Oregon State’s administration. The silver lining, though, is that Andros and Milton reconciled a few years later, with the coach helping his former star get a gig in the Canadian Football League, a place with a rich history of tolerating fantastic beards. […]
How is he gonna wear the helmet?
He has always wore the helmet over his dastaar for years. It has never been a problem.
So…does he shower(nude) with the other players? I thought that exposing yourself naked was a major no-no in the sikhi religion?!?
wahe guru ji ka khalsa wahe guru ji ki fateh we from s.america peru my son vikram partap singh is the only sikh football player in the country i would like to have the contact no. of s.NAVRAJ SINGH BASSI My contact no is Partap Singh mobile no 958924204 peru s.america
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.
Football Betting Tips
Very nice article. Keep it up.
nice one post admin