Ex-Rider Matt Dominguez sympathetic to Henry Burris's citizenship woes
Players should plan post-football career at early stage, he says
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider and current Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris made headlines this week over his difficulties obtaining Canadian citizenship.
Despite 15 years in the CFL, his job is classified as part-time work.
But Burris isn't the first American player to want to stay and build a life in Canada.
Matt Dominguez, who was born in Texas, was in a similar situation when he moved to Regina to play for the Riders in 2003.
He is now a permanent resident working in real estate in Regina, and has some advice for players like Burris, including keeping an open mind about non-football opportunities.
"Work permits say that you can do this particular thing — and you can get that changed to where it's an open kind of permit."
Dominguez says players need to remember that the average career in professional sports lasts only a few years.
"That's it. Three-and-a half seasons and then you gotta do something for the rest of your life," he said. "If it takes three years to get citizenship for these Americans, you gotta get on that now."
Dominguez says there are ways for teams to help players like Burris stay. That could include making a player a team ambassador, which is considered a full time job.