When reported on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, by CBC Edmonton, ESPN, and the Canadian Football League, to name a few of the tragic death of Edmonton Elks player Christian Saulsberry, it felt that time just stood still. 

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, THE EDMONTON ELKS WERE DEVASTATED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF RUNNING BACK CHRISTIAN SAULSBERRY AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. FIRST AND FOREMOST, OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY DURING THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. OUR CONDOLENCES ARE ALSO EXTENDED TO HIS FRIENDS, INCLUDING THE MANY TEAMMATES AND COACHES BOTH HERE IN EDMONTON AND ELSEWHERE, THAT HE IMPACTED THROUGHOUT HIS FOOTBALL CAREER.

CHRISTIAN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR FOOTBALL TEAM BOTH ON THE FIELD AND IN OUR LOCKER ROOM WERE SIGNIFICANT DURING HIS ONE SEASON WITH THE GREEN AND GOLD. HIS POSITIVITY AND ENERGY FOR LIFE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.

Source via goelks.com

A HUMBLE PERSON

Christian Saulsberry was born on December 12th, 1997, in Southhaven, Mississippi,

He was a student-athlete who attended Southhaven High School for his freshman and sophomore seasons. He would then transfer for his junior and senior years of Northpoint Christian School.

For the duration of his high school life, Christian Saulsberry would be a star on the football team. He was a multi-positional player who would play both defensive back and running back and contribute to his team’s success.

During his junior year, he was also on the baseball team where he played shortstop.

Aside from success on the football field, the one traits that defines Christian Saulsberry was his team’s first approach to the game and in life.

Christian Saulsberry was a player that would lead by example on and off the field. He had a great heart for helping out junior varsity players in any capacity that he could. When players did not have a ride to and from practice, or for a game; Christian Saulsberry would be the first to drive his fellow players for any help that he could contribute to the team’s success.

TURNING PRO

After stints at Itawamba Community College and West Alabama, Christian Saulsberry was bypassed in the 2020 National Football League Draft. He would then be selected by the Beasts of Fan Controlled Football.

After one season, he would head north of the 49th Parallel and sign as an undrafted free agent with the Edmonton Elks for the 2022 season.

With the struggles continuing for the Elks in 2022, Christian Saulsberry would be slotted in on various depth charts as a wide receiver, running back, and in a special teams role as a returner.

Although he would only play in just under half of the scheduled games during the 2022 season, he would make his presence felt predominantly on special teams.

Although he would not score any touchdowns in 2022, his stats were pretty good for a rookie playing pro football.

PUNT RETURNS

KICKOFF RETURNS

MISSED FG RETURNS

A LIFE THAT WILL BE MISSED

What it all comes down to is not about Christian Saulsberry the football player, but rather the human being that he is.

With the Christmas holidays just days away, one could not fathom what the Saulsberry family is going through emotionally.

Everyone has experienced a loss in their life.

But when a family member is removed from life due to gun activity, there is nothing more tragic for a family to cope and bear with at this given time.

So how does a family heal and bond due to a tragedy like this?

It’s a very complex question. Everyone heals differently and there is no right or wrong answer.

The loss of Christian Saulsberry cannot be put into words. The world lost a young man who had the whole world ahead of him. Christian Saulsberry will surely be missed.

Stay in tune with CFL News Hub for the upcoming 2023 season. 

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