Football – Brandon Sun

Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea jokes around with Jermarcus Hardrick (51) during practice at training camp in Winnipeg Thursday, May 19, 2022. The Blue Bombers signed the veteran American offensive tackle Hardrick to a one-year contract extension Wednesday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Blue Bombers sign veteran American offensive tackle Hardrick to a one-year extension

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed veteran American offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrickto a one-year contract extension Wednesday.

The six-foot-five, 319-pound Hardrick was slated to become a free agent next month.

Hardrick returns for a seventh season with Winnipeg. He started 17 regular-season games at right tackle last season and was part of a Bombers offence that finished first in touchdowns (58) and second in offensive points (28.2), rushing yards (113.5) and fewest sacks (29).

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros was named the CFL's outstanding player for a second consecutive season while running back Brady Oliveira recorded his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign.

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McEvoy, Lions patiently awaiting Rourke’s decision as QB works out with NFL clubs

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

McEvoy, Lions patiently awaiting Rourke’s decision as QB works out with NFL clubs

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Neil McEvoy is of two minds when it comes to the football future of Nathan Rourke.

On one hand, he's pleased to see a CFL player get opportunities to prove himself south of the border. But as the B.C. Lions co-general manager and director, football operations, McEvoy laments the prospect of not only losing a starting quarterback but a seemingly generational talent at the position.

"I'm excited for Nathan and football in Canada that the big dogs in the NFL are giving young men who usually haven't had the same pedigree an opportunity to play football at the NFL level," McEvoy said during a telephone interview from the CFL winter meetings in Kananaskis, Alta. "As an administrator with the B.C. Lions, obviously I'd love to have him stay and continue to build off of what he brought, but at the end of the day we may not be able to do that.

"We have contingency plans and we're comfortable with whatever direction he decides to take."

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke throws the football before the CFL Western semifinal against the Calgary Stampeders in Vancouver on Sunday, November 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Edmonton Elks re-sign American defensive lineman Jake Ceresna to two-year contract

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Elks re-signed American defensive lineman Jake Ceresna to a two-year contract Wednesday.

Ceresna, 28, was a CFL all-star for the first time last season.

He had a team-high 10 sacks, four forced fumbles and 31 tackles in 12 regular-season games.

Ceresna began his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks (2017).

Steinauer: Contract talks continue between Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Bo Levi Mitchell

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Steinauer: Contract talks continue between Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Bo Levi Mitchell

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

No news on the Bo Levi Mitchell front seems to be good news for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hamilton acquired Mitchell's rights from the Calgary Stampeders in November for a 2023 third-round pick, '24 fifth-round selection and future considerations. That gave the Ticats an exclusive negotiating window with the veteran quarterback until Feb. 14, when he's slated to become a CFL free agent.

Mitchell hasn't yet signed with Hamilton, but the two sides continue to talk.

"There's ongoing communication and we're hopeful to get a deal done," Orlondo Steinauer, Hamilton's head coach/president of football operations, said via telephone from the CFL winter meetings in Kananaskis, Alta. "There's been consistent communication before and after the New Year and our position remains the same, that we'd like to get something done."

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell warms up before the CFL western semifinal football game against the B.C. Lions in Vancouver on Sunday, November 6, 2022. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired Mitchell's rights from the Stampeders in November for a 2023 third-round pick, '24 fifth-round selection and future considerations.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bills safety Damar Hamlin released from the hospital

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Bills safety Damar Hamlin released from the hospital

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills safety Damar Hamlin was released from a Buffalo hospital on Wednesday, more than a week after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated during a game at Cincinnati, after his doctors said they completed a series of tests.

A news release from the Bills quoted Dr. Jamie Nadler as saying: “We have completed a series of tests and evaluation and in consultation with the team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be safely discharged.” Nadler said Hamlin will continue his rehabilitation with the Bills.

Hamlin is going home after spending two days undergoing tests at Buffalo General Medical Center. He was transferred to Buffalo after spending last week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where the 24-year-old from the Pittsburgh area experienced what doctors called “a remarkable recovery.”

Hamlin collapsed on the field after being struck in the chest by Bengals receiver Tee Higgins while making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the first quarter of Buffalo’s since-canceled game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

FILE - Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills NFL football team smiles May 12, 2021. Damar Hamlin plans to support young people through education and sports with the $8.6 million in GoFundMe donations that unexpectedly poured into his toy drive fundraiser after he suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of a game last week.(AP Photo)

Canadian defensive back signs contract with NFL’s Green Bay Packers

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canadian defensive back signs contract with NFL’s Green Bay Packers

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Canadian defensive back Tyrell Ford has signed a deal with the NFL's Green Bay Packers.

Ford, 24, spent last season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who made the native of Niagara Falls, Ont., their first pick, No. 13 overall, in the 2022 CFL draft out of Waterloo.

Ford had 10 tackles (three solo) in 18 games last season with the Bombers, who released Ford on Tuesday to pursue NFL opportunities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 10, 2023.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Canadian defensive back Tyrell Ford has signed a deal with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Ford, 24, spent last season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ford (25), Demerio Houston (35) and Mike Miller (24) celebrate Ford's game winning tackle against the Ottawa Redblacks during the second half of CFL action in Winnipeg, on June 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Coach Dinwiddie expects every CFL team to be gunning for Grey Cup champion Argonauts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Coach Dinwiddie expects every CFL team to be gunning for Grey Cup champion Argonauts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is good with the Toronto Argonauts being a measuring stick in 2023.

As the defending Grey Cup champion, Toronto can expect an opponent's best effort this season. But Dinwiddie figures the Argos won't be the only CFL team with a bull's-eye firmly on its chest in 2023.

"I think everybody is going to be gunning for us but I'm sure Winnipeg is going to be in the same boat," Dinwiddie said via telephone Tuesday from the CFL winter meetings in Kananaskis, Alta. "They also played in the (Grey Cup), they won the West … I think both teams will kind of have a bull's-eye on them.

"With us playing Hamilton four times that (Grey Cup win) is going to increase the excitement of those games. It's just what it is, I'm looking forward to it."

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie watches a drill during CFL training camp at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ont., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

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CFL quarterback Nathan Rourke has workout with New York Giants

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

CFL quarterback Nathan Rourke has workout with New York Giants

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Another day, another NFL workout for Canadian Nathan Rourke.

The star CFL quarterback had a workout Tuesday with the New York Giants. It came a day after the 24-year-old Victoria native had a session with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since the end of the CFL season, the B.C. Lions quarterback has also worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals, L.A. Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals. And a source said Rourke will have another workout Wednesday with an undisclosed team. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as the NFL team in question hasn't divulged workout details.

The six-foot-two, 209-pound Rourke still has a year left on his deal with the Lions. However, on Monday, he became eligible to sign a futures deal with a club south of the border as per the league's NFL window.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke throws the football before the CFL western semi-final football game against the Calgary Stampeders in Vancouve on November 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Damar Hamlin’s horrific injury gives CFL opportunity to discuss, review protocols

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Damar Hamlin’s horrific injury gives CFL opportunity to discuss, review protocols

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

It's a story that's now trending in a positive direction, but Damar Hamlin's horrific injury is providing the CFL, its executives and its head coaches with a talking point at the league's winter meetings.

Hamlin a 24-year-old safety with the Buffalo Bills, suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed during a game Jan. 2 against Cincinnati. With a North American television audience looking on, Hamlin stood up after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins before collapsing on the field.

Players from both teams surrounded Hamlin while he was being administered CPR on the field. He was reportedly also treated with an automated external defibrillator (AED) before being taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center roughly 19 minutes after collapsing.

On Monday, Hamlin was released from the intensive care unit at the Cincinnati hospital and transferred to one in Buffalo for ongoing care. That morning, Hamlin was upgraded from critical condition and met several requirements for transport, including no longer needing intensive nursing care or respiratory therapy.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Randy Ambrosie delivers an address at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday, December 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Former Argos star Peters signs futures contract with Atlanta Falcons

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Former Argos star Peters signs futures contract with Atlanta Falcons

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Jamal Peters, who led the CFL in interceptions this past season and helped the Toronto Argonauts win the Grey Cup, signed a futures deal Monday with the Atlanta Falcons.

The American defensive back was among 18 players signed by the NFL Falcons.

The six-foot-two, 220-pound Peters had a CFL-high six interceptions last season with the Grey Cup-champion Argos. Peters, 26, started 15 games with Toronto, registering 57 tackles and a sack en route to being named a league all-star.

He added eight tackles and a forced fumble in Toronto's two playoff games.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown by intercepting a pass by Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans (9), during second half CFL football action in Toronto, on Friday, August 26, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Kansas City Chiefs latest NFL team to take a look at B.C. Lions quarterback Rourke

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Kansas City Chiefs latest NFL team to take a look at B.C. Lions quarterback Rourke

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

Add the Kansas City Chiefs to the growing list of NFL clubs to take a look at CFL star quarterback Nathan Rourke.

The Chiefs confirmed they hosted the 24-year-old Victoria native for a workout Monday. Kansas City (14-3) cemented the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 31-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.

The six-foot-two, 209-pound Rourke still has a year left on his deal with the Lions. However, on Monday, he became eligible to sign a futures deal with a club south of the border as per the league's NFL window.

The Chiefs — who have an opening playoff round bye upon securing the top AFC spot — are the 10th NFL team Rourke has worked out for this off-season. He visited with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday and has also had sessions with L.A. Chargers, Las Vegas, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed they hosted 24-year-old, Victoria native CFL star quarterback Nathan Rourke for a workout Monday. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, on June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Edmonton Elks sign all-star Loucheiz Purifoy after his release from B.C. Lions

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Edmonton Elks sign all-star Loucheiz Purifoy after his release from B.C. Lions

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Elks have signed all-star defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy after his release last week from the B.C. Lions.

The 30-year-old was a CFL all-star in 2022 compiling 55 tackles, three interceptions and a sack in 18 regular season games for the Lions.

In six CFL seasons, the five-foot-11, 190-pound back has appeared in 101 regular-season games for the Lions, Ottawa Redblacks and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The University of Florida product has a career 282 tackles, eight sacks, 16 interceptions and six forced fumbles.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

The Edmonton Elks have signed all-star defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy after his release last week from the B.C. Lions. The 30-year-old was a CFL all-star in 2022 compiling 55 tackles, three interceptions and a sack in 18 regular season games for the Lions. Purifoy, right, nearly makes an interception on a pass intended for Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Bralon Addison during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on July 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Offensive lineman Williams re-signs with Stampeders, Good-Jones released to NFL

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Offensive lineman Williams re-signs with Stampeders, Good-Jones released to NFL

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

CALGARY - Canadian offensive lineman Zack Williams signed a two-year contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders on Monday.

Williams, a 2019 third-round CFL draft pick, was eligible to become a free agent next month.

“We’re excited to bring Zack back for two more years and for him to continue his development as a key piece of one of the top O-line groups in the CFL,” Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson said in a statement. “We want players like Zack on our team, and we look forward to watching him work in 2023.”

Williams started all 18 regular-season games at left guard in 2022. Calgary's offensive line allowed a league-low 17 sacks while the Stampeders averaged a CFL-high 135.3 rushing yards per game.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

Calgary Stampeders' Zack Williams (67), Malik Henry (82) and Sean McEwen (51) celebrate Henry's touchdown against the B.C. Lions during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, November 12, 2021. Canadian offensive lineman Williams signed a two-year contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders on Monday. Williams, a 2019 third-round CFL draft pick, was eligible to become a free agent next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hamlin in mind, Bills return to action with first-play TD

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Hamlin in mind, Bills return to action with first-play TD

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 5 minute read Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills and their fans planned several tributes to safety Damar Hamlin for the team's game Sunday — No. 3 jerseys, homemade T-shirts and even a 10-foot wide get-well card.

There was no scripting what happened once the Bills actually returned to action.

On their first play since a terrifying scene Monday, when Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a game in Cincinnati, Bills return man Nyheim Hines ran the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against the New England Patriots.

The emotional, uplifting score was an early highlight to a cathartic day in Buffalo. A weeklong outpouring of support continued as the Bills returned to the field for the first time since Hamlin had to be resuscitated after making a tackle during the first quarter at Cincinnati. Hamlin has since made what doctors call a remarkable recovery.

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Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023

Stampeders’ Sindani suspended two games for performance-enhancing drug violation

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Stampeders’ Sindani suspended two games for performance-enhancing drug violation

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Richie Sindani was suspended two games by the CFL on Friday for testing positive for banned substances.

The 27-year-old from Regina tested positive for Methandienone and Stanozolol, the league said in a statement.

"We were very disappointed when informed of Richie’s violation," the Stampeders said in a statement. "The team trusts he will learn from his mistake and avoid another occurrence.

"This incident once again proves players need to be fully cognizant about the supplements they are taking."

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Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Calgary Stampeders' Richie Sindani (87) fails to hold onto the ball while attempting to make a reception in the end zone as B.C. Lions' T.J. Lee (6) defends during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 24, 2022. Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Richie Sindani was suspended two games by the CFL on Friday for testing positive for banned substances. The 27-year-old from Regina tested positive for Methandienone and Stanozolol, the league said in a statement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Veteran tackle Stanley Bryant signs extension with Blue Bombers

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Veteran tackle Stanley Bryant signs extension with Blue Bombers

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

WINNIPEG - Stanley Bryant is staying put.

The CFL's outstanding lineman last season signed a one-year extension with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday. The six-foot-five, 313-pound Bryant was slated to become a free agent next month.

Bryant will return for his eighth season in Winnipeg and 13th in the CFL. He began his tenure in Canada with the Calgary Stampeders (2010-14).

Bryant was named the CFL's top lineman last year a record fourth time (2017, '18, '21, '22) and was a finalist for the honour in 2019. He was also named a league all-star for a seventh time.

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Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

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