Follow CALGARY STAMPEDERS

© 2024 Calgary Stampeders. All rights reserved.

Menu
Features April 21, 2023

It’s A Special Club

When the Stamps unveiled their 2023 jerseys this week, receiver Malik Henry not only debuted the brand-new away jersey but his new number as well.

In January, he announced he would be changing his number from 82 to 11.

“Number eleven is the number I wore in high school and college, and I had the opportunity to get it this year and it’s something I wanted to go back to,” explained Henry. “It reminds me of home.”

Although the Tifton, Ga., native has made the switch, he’ll forever remain a member of an exclusive club of Red and White receivers to don the number 82 and hit 1,000 receiving yard seasons.

The only other member? Newly appointed receivers coach, Nik Lewis.

When you think of a Calgary wideout with No. 82, Lewis is probably the first image that pops into your head.

The Canadian Football Hall-of-Famer surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving in each of his first nine seasons with the Stamps.

The two-time Grey Cup champ lives on in local football lore with his name splashed across the record books. But it won’t come as a shock to Calgary faithful if the name Henry begins to appear on those lists beside Lewis’ in years to come.

In his second season with the Stamps, the former West Georgia Wolf took a huge step forward in his career.

As a rookie, Henry mustered 124 yards and two touchdowns in nine games played. Seven months later he scored the first touchdown of the CFL season and emerged as one of the top targets for his quarterbacks.

He led the team in receiving yards with 1,023 and touchdowns with eight. He also tallied 488 yards after the catch, 62 receptions and eight touchdowns in only 13 games played last season.

He was named a CFL West Division all-star and recognized as a CFL Top Performer of the week twice. In Week 3, he was honoured after making six catches for 173 yards and a touchdown against Edmonton. In Week 12 against the Blue Bombers, he had seven catches for 122 yards and three scores.

Henry was rewarded with a three-year contract extension on Oct. 5, 2022, making him a Stampeder through the 2025 season.

For Henry there was never any pressure to live up to what No. 82 represents, but he undoubtedly filled Lewis’ shoes for the short time he wore it.

RELATED
» Purchase your NEW Stamps jersey here
» Photo Gallery: 2023 Uniforms Unveiled
» New Year, Old Faces

 

With Lewis taking the reins of the receiving corps this season, anticipation for another big season from Henry continues to build.

The 26-year-old, who celebrated his birthday last Sunday, is looking forward to working with him this season.

“Nik reached out to me a bit last year over Twitter and congratulated me on the season (I was having) and when I heard he was joining the staff (this season) I was excited because he’s bringing a lot of coaching and player experience, he’ll bring a lot to our group.

“He was like, ‘I’m an 82’, so kind of like a little prodigy I guess you can say.”

The first preseason matchup of the season creeps closer, just 30 days until game day. Henry’s work for a successful 2023 campaign continues and the goal for the year is clear.

“I’m looking forward to getting back with the guys, getting back with (quarterbacks) Jake (Maier) and Tommy (Stevens) and all the receivers,” said Henry. “Building that chemistry, team chemistry, and ready to compete for a Grey Cup this year.”

The Stamps kickoff the entire CFL season on Thursday, June 8 when they take on the BC Lions in a Western-Semi final rematch. Single-game tickets go on sale in early May.