Jake Reinhart's Illustrious Career
Toronto Argonauts' longtime long snapper is hanging up his helmet for the final time. Let's take a look back through his impressive 9-year CFL career;
Early Life
Jake Reinhart was born in Guelph, Ontario on November 25th, 1989. He attended Guelph Collegiate Highschool, where he started a journey that would entail many ups and downs over the next decade and a half.
College Career
After high school, Jake attended Guelph University where he played for the Guelph Gryphons Football team from 2008 until 2012. He was the team's primary long snapper but also got reps on the defence as a linebacker. In 2010, after suiting up for all 8 games for the first time, Jake received the Guelph Gryphons Special Teams Award. In 2011, his fourth season with the Gryphons, Jake led the team with 62.5 tackles (Good for 3rd in USports) and racked up one forced fumble and 2 sacks. He was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. In 2012 he played his final season with the Gryphons. He finished his university career with 135 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. He was also named an Academic All-Canadian in 2011 and 2012, showing he had the brains as well as the brawn.
Professional Career
2013
On June 4th, Reinhart signed as an undrafted free agent with the Toronto Argonauts after the 2013 CFL Draft. unfortunately for Jake, he was released shortly after the first preseason game as the team already had the long snapper position locked down with Veteran Chad Rempel.
2014
After the 2013 CFL season, the NFL's Chicago Bears signed long snapper Chad Rempel allowing the Argonauts to re-sign Jake Reinhart on April 15th, 2014. He won the long snapper position during training camp and suited up for his first professional football game on June 26, 2014, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He recorded 1 Special Team tackle on a punt return and snapped the ball for Swayze Waters on 3 convert attempts. By the end of the 2014 season, Reinhart suited up for all 18 regular season games and recorded 7 special teams tackles. He snapped the ball on all 52 field goal attempts that year, assisting Waters to an incredible 47/52 (90%) year.
2015
Reinhart suited up for all 18 regular season games, bringing his number of consecutive games up to 36. He also played in his first post-season game in the Eastern Semi-final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Argos, unfortunately, lost that game with a final score of HAM 25 - 23 TOR.
2016
Jake played each game during the season and played 55 consecutive games by the end of the season. He was also able to assist kicker Lirim Hajrullahu record an impressive 37/42 (88%) year.
2017
Once again Reinhart played all 18 regular season games bringing his consecutive game count up to 73 and by the end of the season, he would break the 75-game mark. The Toronto Argonauts ended the season 9-9 and first place in the East. They were playoff bound for the second time in Reinhart's career. Jake won his first playoff game on November 19th, 2017, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders which ended with a score of TOR 25 - 21 SSK. The Argos would then go on to win the 105th Grey Cup after a stunning 27-24 victory over the Calgary Stampeders. He was a foundation piece in that game, snapping the ball for a game-winning 32-yarder by Hajrullahu with 00:49 remaining.
2018
Jake was able to suit up, once again, for the full, 18-game season bringing his game streak up to 93.
2019
During the Season Opener, Jake sustained a calf injury and was forced to miss the first 6 games of his career. He came back in Week 10 and went on to play 12 games during the 2019 Season.
2020
On February 28, 2020, Jake signed a contract extension with the Toronto Argonauts through the 2022 season. He said the following about what it means to be an Argo to him;
“I’m excited to be staying in Toronto and grateful for the opportunity to be here long-term. Coming from Guelph and being able to play in front of friends and family every home game at BMO Field is a huge plus for me and I can’t wait for June to get here.”
He was also praised by the Argonauts VP of Player Personnel, John Murphy, who said this about the long snapper;
Jake has established himself as one of the best in the CFL at his position."
Unfortunately for everyone, fans included, the 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
2021
Jake dawned his jersey for the first 8 games of the shortened CFL season. During
- Jake suited up for the first 8 games of the shortened 2021 CFL Season. On October 6th, during a battle against the Ottawa Redblacks, Jake went running down the field to down a punt from Boris Bede when He collided with a teammate. His elbow was caught up in the resulting fall and the stadium noise fell silent. It was obvious Reinhart was hurt and he was rushed into emergency surgery in Guelph following the play. The injury was so gruesome that he may have lost his arm if it wasn't for the surgeons going in and fixing things right away. The football world held its breath.
“Unfortunately, it looks like he won’t be able to finish it this year. We’re going to miss having him around, his leadership, he comes to work every day, you know what to expect from him. I’m disappointed for the kid.” - Ryan Dinwiddie
The Toronto Argonauts' fears were confirmed the following day when it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season. The following week, kicker/punter Boris Bede honoured his teammate by putting Number 58 under the tee he used when he kicked a game-winning field goal against their longtime rivals, the Ti-Cats. This heartwarming moment led to my favourite picture ever taken in the CFL;
2022
With a scar running from wrist to elbow, and lots of physiotherapy, Jake made a comeback and planned on playing in the 2022 season. The Argos were happy to have him. His string of bad luck continued, however, and he started just 7 games for the Argos before re-injuring the same elbow and being forced to sit on the bench for the rest of the 2022 season.
On September 30th, 2022, Jake Reinhart announced his retirement from professional football.
He finishes his career playing in 117 regular season games, two playoff games, and 1 game cup. I think Argos General Manager Michael Clemons said it best;
"Today is the worst, good day of the year as Jake Reinhart, our longest-serving player is officially retired."
"If you don’t recognize the name, that is a good thing because long snappers only get noticed when something goes wrong." Not only is he one of the most consistent players to don the Double Blue, player for player would also adamantly affirm that he is one of the best teammates they’ve ever had."
"This is not goodbye, Jake Reinhart will always be a Toronto Argonaut.”
Looking Forward
Following his incredible, Grey Cup winning, career, Jake has officially accepted a role within the Kitchener Fire Department and will look to snap from fields to fires.
Fun Facts
- He is a renowned trickshot-er, making some pretty crazy shots from atop Alumni Stadium and taking part in the 2015 Cross-Bar Challenge where he nailed the cross bar from 110 yards out!
- Has snapped for;
- Swayze Waters (51/59 - 86%)
- Ronald Pfeffer (16/25 - 65%)
- Justin Palardy (8/11 - 72%)
- Jake Rogers (3/6 - 50%)
- Dave Stala (0/1)
- Lirim Hajrullahu (37/42 - 88%)
- Zackary Medeiros (17/24 - 70%)
- Drew Brown (12/14 - 85%)
- Tyler Crapigna (19/23 - 82%)
- Boris Bede (29/36 - 80%)
- As of the 2021 season, Reinhart was the longest-serving member of the Toronto Argonauts.
Thank you for making it this far in my article! Please make sure to let me know what you think. -Big Ups to everyone on Twitter who continues to post great Specialist content. -
I couldn't do it without you :)