Stu Laird was a member of the Calgary Stampeders from 1984 to 1996 and was a leader in community appearances. He won the Tom Pate Memorial Award awarded to the CFL Sportsmen of the year, in 1991, while receiving the Stampeders nomination on three different occasions. Laird is a spokesperson for many charities in the Calgary and Southern Alberta area and is a member of the Calgary Fire Department and President of the CFLPA.