Riley Jones’ ink tells two tales.

His right arm is dedicated to his family, while his left pays tribute to the wildlife of British Columbia.

“My right arm is kind of my family arm, my left arm is my nature and animal arm. I’ve got three arrows on my right forearm for me, my sister and my brother, we all have those. Family is a pretty big part of my life so my right arm is dedicated to that and my left arm is dedicated to something that is just personal.”

“My sister and my mom kind of started it off and when I was in high school,” says the third year linebacker.

“My first tattoo was the first initials of everybody in my family and my sister got it first, then my mom got it, I got it, my brother got it, we’re still trying to convince my dad but it’s just kind of a family thing. That was my first one and then it’s kind of addicting after that.”

Jones, who was born in Ontario but moved to BC when he was in Grade 7, has always had an affinity for the beautiful nature of his adopted home.

“The next one was I got a wolf on my left shoulder then it’s just kind of a whole BC, animal theme on my left arm. Just being from BC, animals are a big part of it and I love animals, just always kind of related to them, just thought wolves and bears, I’ve still got to get an eagle, I just really liked them.”

Having his family close to him, at least in spirit, means a lot to Jones.

“We pray in the locker room before every game and I look down on my arm and I see the arrows and I know I’m playing for my sister and brother and I see the back of my arm and I know I’m playing for my dad and my mom as well and they’re pretty much the biggest reason I play. Just to have that on my arm and remind me throughout the game, if I’m dying and it’s hot, I’m playing for a reason and they’re watching me so it’s definitely a big part.”