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Henry Burris


Unlocking your true potential lies in your smile.


About Henry Burris

Henry Burris, aka “Smiling Hank,” connects with audiences. His depth of life experience includes roles as an entrepreneur, CFL star, a CFL sportscaster, ranch kid and, importantly, as a committed father, husband and family man.

As a speaker, he weaves personal stories of overcoming obstacles into audience-applicable lessons. The lessons he shares are built on the foundation of a lifetime spent in learning and operating in the arts of strategy and discipline in sport and as a dutiful team member.

Henry Burris is personable and kind in his approach. His narratives inspire, and create a space with an audience where a shift in thinking can germinate. For each specific business environment, Burris has the applicable real-life, working examples to customize presentations and help promote culture shifts.

Henry Burris is an Ontario sport celebrity, and a former CFL quarterback.


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Topics

Keynote – S.M.I.L.E.

Henry provides a forward path with his S.M.I.L.E. steps that any individual or organization can use. Burris’s S.M.I.L.E. Success Program builds on a physical action; supported with an mnemonic acronym and a push for greater personal accountability. This program serves to change the way an individual or team can reset goal focus, better attitudes and create success.

Burris explains his belief that the true place to find happiness is within. From the moment we are born we are filled with the desire to achieve. We continue to work through setbacks, and in the end our S.M.I.L.E. prevails. 

Career Highlights

  • 3x Grey Cup Champion Ottawa Redblacks 2016, Calgary Stampeders 1998 & 2008
  • Two times Grey Cup MVP 2016 and 2008
  • 2× CFL Most Outstanding Player Award (2015 2010)
  • CFL All-Star    2015, 2010
  • CFL single-game record for completions (45) (2015)
  • CFL single-season record for completions (481) (2015)
  • Ranks 3rd in all-time CFL regular season passing yardage (63,277) behind Anthony Calvillo, Damon Allen.
  • Ranks fourth in all-time CFL regular-season touchdown passes (324)4 x Silver Slugger Award 
  • Ranks 3rd in all-time CFL completions with 4,638; behind Calvillo (5,892), Allen (5,158)
  • Ranks 3rd Most Passing Touchdowns in career, 374.

Teams

CFL

  • Ottawa Redblacks
  • Hamilton Tigercats
  • Calgary Stampeders
  • Saskatchewan Roughriders

NFL

  • Green Bay Packers

Testimonials

National Conference SLS 2019 Karlen H. - Nov 15, 2019

Henry was an amazing speaker at SLS last week – and in fact an amazing delegate. He joined us at the welcome reception on Thursday evening and we heard over and over what a genuinely nice person he was to visit with. His presentation created a spark of energy that carried throughout the day.

Corporate Event Alterna Angela D. - Feb 7, 2017

Henry is a true professional. He was charming, well-prepared, and provided great leadership insight into the game of football and his time with the Ottawa Redblacks.  Engaging, approachable, and a lot of fun. Henry was a hit!

Community Fundraiser Terry B - Mar 28, 2018

Henry Burris was excellent. Everybody at sports night really enjoyed his outgoing personality and humor. We had a great evening and would recommend Henry for any ones event.

We have received excellent service from Events Edge in every aspect.