Tanner Green

Tanner Green (born March 3, 1993) is a Canadian professional gridiron football fullback for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

University career
Following high school, Green did not play football and had work as an industrial painter and in the oil field on pipelines. After four years away from the game, he joined a recreational team where teammates suggested that he play football in university. Green sent tape to several universities and opted to join the Concordia Stingers of U Sports football, where he played from 2016 to 2017. He played in 12 games where he recorded six carries for 11 yards and one touchdown in addition to one reception for five yards.

Professional career
Green was drafted in the fourth round, 32nd overall, by the Edmonton Elks in the 2018 CFL Draft and signed with the team on May 16, 2018. He made his professional debut on July 13, 2018, in the team's win against the Toronto Argonauts. He played in eight regular season games, while also spending time on the practice roster, where he recorded seven special teams tackles. In 2019, he received more playing time on offense, recording three receptions for 33 yards, while also tallying 12 special teams tackles and one forced fumble in 12 games played. He also made his post-season debut as he played in both post-season games and recorded three special teams tackles. He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, but signed a three-year contract extension on December 31, 2020.

During the 2021 season, Green scored his first career touchdown on November 13, 2021, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, on a five-yard pass from Taylor Cornelius. He played in 12 regular season games that year where he had two receptions for 11 yards and a touchdown and a career-high 15 special teams tackles. In 2022, Green played in 15 regular season games and recorded four catches for 49 yards and one touchdown and 12 special teams tackles. In 2023, he played in 12 games and had 14 special teams tackles, but finished the year without a reception for the first time since his rookie season. On December 1, 2023, it was announced that Green had signed a two-year contract extension with the Elks.

Personal Life
Green grew up in Lacombe, Alberta, attending Lacombe Composite High School. He played many sports growing up, including karate, figure skating, football, basketball, track and field, and lacrosse. He played football for Lacombe Raiders (bantam), Lacombe Rams (high school), and Battle River Shock (rep). Green played lacrosse through the years for Tier 3 Lacoka Minor Lacrosse Association in Ponoka/Lacombe, Alberta. He eventually played for Red Deer Rampage Junior Tier 2 Lacrosse at age 20, and finishing his lacrosse career with St. Albert Miners Junior A Tier 1 Lacrosse. Once aging out of Junior lacrosse, Green returned to football through the Central Alberta Buccaneers (senior men's AFL) where he played running back and special teams.

Currently in the CFL off-season, Green runs the School of Football program at The Dome, Red Deer. The program is directed to the development of Central Alberta youth football players, ranging from Atom, Pee Wee, Bantam, High School and College Prep. The program sees 200+ athletes registered each year. Green also works as a Strength and Conditioning coach.

Green was born to Roben and Cameron Green in Red Deer, Alberta, growing up in Lacombe. He has one brother, Josh Green. Green was married in 2013 to Erika Green (nee Ziegler). They have one son together, Elias Green, born in 2023. They currently reside in Edmonton, Alberta.