Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Marwan Hage is taking his Hage’s Heroes community initiative to new territory this week, as the CFL All-Star and philanthropist will join Guelph-based non-profit relief organization Speroway on a goodwill mission to El Salvador.

There are professional athletes that advocate causes and there are athletes that support philanthropic efforts. Rarer though, are professional athletes that in spite of their demanding schedule, also find time to found and operate their own charitable foundations. Chris Cvetkovic of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is an example of such a rarity. The veteran long-snapper has spent a decade playing professional football, and yet he has also found the time and energy to become one of the most prolific philanthropists in the CFL. We had a chance to speak to Chris about; football, training, charity and more in a recent interview. Here`s what Chris had to say...

On an annual basis, CFL general managers and coaches alike meet in March to assess the newest crop of college athletes with dreams of professional football careers. The CFL holds its combine in Toronto over the course of 3 days beginning Friday, March 22nd. Over these 3 days, CFL prospects will work through rigorous drills, tests, and interviews in hopes of demonstrating the skills that may one day grace the CFL gridiron. We had the opportunity to speak with the 2010 and 2011 first-overall draft picks this week in Henoc Muamba, and Ben Heenan, respectively. In their eyes, the combine represents a grueling workout, but one that athletes that are well prepared mentally will rarely fail to perform at. Here’s what the two had to say about their experiences...

Eight Football Players and Animal Advocates Set to Follow in the Footsteps of Actor/Comedian George Lopez and Support an Animal Welfare Non-Profit Reducing Animal Suffering and Overpopulation in Mexico

Now that some time has passed, and we've all had some time to reflect on the 100th Grey Cup, I thought it necessary to provide an account of the events from our perspective. Here is a short recap of the events as we experienced them:

The CFL Players’ Association is thrilled to announce an exciting line-up for the upcoming CFLPA Players’ Party and Players' Association events at the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto.

Week 3: Kickers The most unique position on the football roster has to be the kicker/punter. The reason this is the case is due to the requirements of the position. A K/P does not need to worry about attacking the offensive line, he needs not assess defensive schemes to establish a run or pass and he seldom is required to make a physical play against a ball-carrier. That being said, the opposite is also true in the sense that the defensive line, quarterback and special teams player, respectively, needs not delve into the intricacies of kicking the football. For that reason, K/P’s require an entirely different method of dry land training.

Nothing brings Canadians together like the Grey Cup! The 100th Gray Cup is a historic milestone in Canadian cultural and sporting history. The 100th Grey Cup will take place on November 25th, 2012 in Toronto at the Rogers Centre, with an extended Grey Cup Festival running from November 16-25. The occasion will unite Canadians from coast to coast in Toronto for a 10-night festival of events, complete with street closures, entertainment and activities – making the 100trh Grey Cup a sport and cultural celebration like none other.

Week 2: Quarterbacks The quarterback is arguably the most pivotal position on the field. A good team will always struggle without a competent QB on their roster. The leader of the offense needs to be able to mix up a pass and run game in order to keep the opposition guessing what’s coming next.

Anyone that has ever sat down and watched a game of football can attest to the fact that a great deal of athleticism in needed to excel in the sport. What’s different in football compared to most other sports is the contrast in physiques and physical requirements between the players in differing positions on the field. Due to this variance, strength and conditioning for an aspiring athlete becomes more of a science than a simple exercise regimen. For example, one would not put a wide receiver or defensive back in a routine where the emphasis was on pushing strength, akin to what is needed for linemen defending or attacking the line of scrimmage. Likewise, while speed is likely a part of an offensive lineman’s routine, it would make little sense to aim at having your lineman focus on 40-yard sprint times. What then, can be prescribed to players to shape them for success? Over the next few weeks I will break down the basic physical needs for the positions of Canadian football, and match appropriate exercises with them. Having a background in amateur Football and more recently, personal training, I will do my best to provide insight into the realm of training for football.

TORONTO, ON (August 22, 2012) – Sun Life Financial has teamed up with the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) to offer financial planning and career seminars to all players across the eight teams. This marks the first time the CFLPA has partnered with a financial services organization to provide athletes with potential career opportunities for life after football. Additionally, Sun Life will also be offering all CFL players access to its award-winning financial tools and calculators.

The 2011 Vanier Cup was enjoyed by the widest audience the championship has ever experienced. 25,000 spectators sat in BC Place Stadium to watch McMaster and Laval square off in the 47th Vanier Cup. More astonishingly, TSN announced that nearly 3 million people tuned in to watch the game from their homes. It only stands to reason that by pairing Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) with the CFL, Canadian collegiate football is given a stage on which it can show the world the calibre of athleticism it possesses. The partnership between the two associations is not limited to enhancing the public identity of the CIS. There is extreme potential for the CFL to benefit from the marketing of its non-import spawning pool.