From U SPORTS to the pros: Tyson Philpot helps blaze trail for Canadian receivers in the CFL

When Tyson Philpot made a game-winning catch in the 2022 Grey Cup, the moment felt surreal — a dream realized not only for himself, but for his football family. For the Montreal Alouettes receiver, it wasn’t just about the success of the game, but about a journey that began on the West Coast with backyard football and a childhood shaped by passion, patience, and perseverance.

“I dreamed about being in the CFL,” said Philpot. 

“That was always my deep-down goal, not just the NFL. I grew up with the CFL football in my hands.”

The former Calgary Dinos standout is now in his fourth season in the Canadian Football League (CFL), but his rise began long before the pros, back when he and his twin brother Jalen picked up the game at just six years old.

“Football was 24/7,” he said. 

“We weren’t even the best players growing up, but we loved being out there.”

Fun turned into potential during his high school years in British Columbia as Philpot began looking at post-secondary opportunities. 

“I visited Carleton, Saskatchewan, Calgary, UBC, Regina,” he said. 

“But Calgary was my first offer and visit. They had that pro-readiness I was looking for. They put players into the league every year, and I knew if I followed that path, I could be next.”

Even though he and Jalen tried to choose universities separately, they both ended up at Calgary in a program that left a lasting impact.

“It had that small-town Friday Night Lights vibe,” said Philpot. 

“Alumni were messaging us as soon as we arrived. People cared. It was like a family, and they wanted to see you succeed.”

The Dinos also helped develop his academic interests. He began in open studies and transitioned to geography, a subject that piqued his curiosity with its focus on plate tectonics and the environment.

But Philpot says the transition to university life wasn’t always smooth.

“My first year, I struggled with the balance,” he said. 

“Being a college student, wanting to have fun, but also knowing what you’re there for. It took time to get that right.”

That learning curve ultimately shaped Philpot into a consistent and focused athlete, one who was ready when the CFL came calling. 

Philpot was selected in the first round of the 2022 CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes. He and his twin brother earned a spot in the CFL to follow in their father Cory Philpot’s footsteps, who was a running back in the league in the late 1990s.

Yet even with a high draft slot and standout college résumé, he says pro training camp had its challenges.

“I remember calling my old coach, Jabari Arthur, saying, ‘Coach, I don’t think I’m going to make it.’ I didn’t feel like I belonged,” he said. 

“But he grounded me, told me to just play my game. That changed everything.”

Philpot began his CFL career on special teams before earning offensive reps. By his second year, he had a Grey Cup ring and a signature moment that put his name in Canadian football history.

“To have that catch in the Grey Cup, it’s still kind of crazy to think about,” he said. 

“Not many father-son duos can say they’ve both won a Grey Cup. To share that with my dad was incredible.”

In 2024, Philpot’s journey hit an unexpected hurdle when a single play led to what turned out to be a season-ending injury — a blow that forced him to reckon with the mental side of recovery.

“You don’t even realize at first how serious it is,” he said. 

“It’s a gut punch.” 

He leaned on his support system, including his brother who had recovered from a similar injury, and took time away from the game to focus on his mental well-being. 

“Every day, I set my intention, what I want to accomplish,” he said. 

“And I remind myself that I’m in this position because of how hard I worked.”

Away from the field, Philpot has leaned into creativity and calm. He spends time cooking, listening to music, and even building LEGO to relax and reconnect with his childhood.

“I love doing LEGO,” he said. 

“It helps with patience and gets your brain going in a different way. Sometimes you mess up and have to start over, that’s life.”

As a U SPORTS alumnus, Philpot is passionate about breaking old narratives, especially around Canadian receivers.

“There used to be a stigma — Canadian receivers were hidden wide,” he said. 

“But now, we’re showing we can be playmakers. You don’t have to go to Alabama. You don’t have to play NCAA ball. You just have to get on the field and grind.”