LaRose signed as a free agent with the Lions on May 10, 2010 after attending the club's local tryout camp in April.

2012:  Playing in all 18 regular season games, J.R. spent much of his time on the Lions’ cover teams as a reserve safety.  He had one start in 2012 in the regular season finale, making a season-high three defensive tackles. J.R. was one of seven players to record nine or more special team tackles.  

2011:  Bouncing back from a season-ending injury the year before, J.R. stepped into a starting role in 2011 joining an experienced BC defensive backfield. He made 11 starts in his 15 regular season games, notching 22 defensive tackles and six more on special teams.

J.R. played in both the Western Final and Grey Cup contests for the first time in his career and made two tackles in each post-season game.

Games Played: Career: 93, PLayoff: 2, Grey Cup: 1 (w/BC)

2010-2012:  J.R. jump-started his CFL career, signing with the Lions in May 20120 after attending a tryout camp after a season away from the game. He has enjoyed success with the Lions in the defensive backfield, seeing action in 48 games over three seasons including each of the last 26 games.

He pushed his career total to 93 CFL games played across seven years in the CFL. Always around the ball, he has made six fumble recoveries and 126 tackles in his CFL career. He played his first career playoff game in 2011 after injuries had denied him in previous years.   

2005-2008: J.R. spent four seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos after signing as a territorial protected junior. He made his pro debut versus the BC Lions in 2005 and played in 45 career games for the Green and Gold, recording 59 tackles and 24 special team stops.

LaRose suffered a season-ending leg injury midway through the 2008 season and was released prior to the 2009 CFL campaign, which he sat out.

LaRose was a standout for the CJFL’s Edmonton Huskies and earned a national championship along with an all-star selection in 2004. He was also a teammate of current Lions receiver Marco Iannuzzi during their junior careers.

Born in Edmonton, J.R. attended Scona High School before playing junior football for the Edmonton Huskies. Both as an Eskimo and a Lion, J.R. is an active participant numerous club community programs and also spends much of his off-season mentoring aboriginal youth.

When not training for football or hitting the speaker circuit, J.R. spends as much time with his family and resides in the Vancouver area.