SWEDEN’S WILLIAM JAMES RECEIVES CFL COMBINE PRESENTED BY NEW ERA INVITATION
Defensive back emerges from CFL Global Combine; headed to display skills for league personnel in March
NORRKÖPING (January 12, 2020) – Defensive back, William James has been extended an invitation to showcase his skills for Canadian Football League (CFL) general managers, coaches and scouts in Toronto for the CFL Combine presented by New Era from March 25-28. James was one of 16 players who participated in the CFL Global Combine in Sweden, conducted in association with the Swedish American Football Federation or the Svenska Amerikansk Fotbollförbundet (SAFF) in Swedish. James joins Finland’s Micky Kyei and Sebastien Sagne who were invited to the CFL Combine following the Finnish Global Combine.
“SAFF were gracious hosts and conducted a well-run combine,” said CFL Chief Financial Officer and Head of Football Operations, Greg Dick. “The opening weekend of the Global Combine tour has showcased the wealth of talent in the Nordic region and we look forward to continuing to meet the best players from around the world.”
The CFL will announce the full list of global players invited to Toronto following the completion of the 10 Global Combines prior to the 2020 CFL Global Draft on April 16.
“I always knew Sweden had great football players and we are grateful to the CFL for giving the players this opportunity to showcase their skills,” said Minette Rogner, President of SAFF. “I am sure William will represent Sweden in the best possible way!”
During the 2019 season, CFL rosters featured, for the first time ever, one designated ‘global player’ from outside the U.S. and Canada on each team’s active roster and as many as two more on their practice rosters. In 2020, the number of global players per team will increase to two on the active roster and up-to-three on the practice roster, with as many as 45 global players competing in the league.
CFL GLOBAL COMBINE SCHEDULE
| Date | Location |
| January 17 | Paris, France |
| January 25 | Florence, Italy |
| January 25 | Bristol, England |
| January 26 | Frankfurt, Germany |
| February 1 | Tokyo, Japan |
| February 2 | Osaka, Japan |
| February 29 | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| March 15 | Mexico City, Mexico |
The CFL regular season kicks off on Thursday, June 11 with the Edmonton Eskimos hosting the BC Lions at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium. Friday Night Football debuts with a double-header on June 12 with the Toronto Argonauts visiting the Ottawa REDBLACKS before the Montreal Alouettes take on the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. The season’s opening week concludes with a Saturday night prime-time rematch of the 107th Grey Cup as the defending champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats.