OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League have engraved another chapter in Ottawa’s rich sporting legacy with the signing of the first players in team history.
As per team policy, terms of contract agreements are not disclosed.
The team signed the following players (lists position, name, height, weight, college and hometown):
- Wide receiver Fred Rouse, 6-4, 200, Concordia Selma (Tallahassee, Florida)
- Defensive back / safety Nick Turnbull, 6-2, 222, Florida International (Miami)
- Defensive end DiMetrio Tyson, 6-2, 275, Jacksonville State (Elba, Alabama)
Rouse began his collegiate career with Florida State in 2005 and started in the 2006 Orange Bowl for the Seminoles against Penn State. He transferred to the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) before completing his collegiate career with Concordia-Selma in Alabama. He has CFL experience on practice rosters with the Calgary Stampeders and has also played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.
Turnbull’s final year of college football was in 2005 with Florida International where he led the defence, starting every game at free safety and cornerback. He had 16 career interceptions at Florida International. In 2006, Turnbull played one regular-season game for the Chicago Bears and two games for the Atlanta Falcons.
Tyson started 11 games on the Gamecocks’ defensive line in 2012, recording 29 tackles and three sacks. He was named an All-Ohio Valley Conference first-team all-star on defence. His most recent professional experience was with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League.
“We recognize the historic significance of these signings and it’s an important first step for our franchise,” said REDBLACKS general manager Marcel Desjardins. “Having said that, we’re continuing the work of building a competitive football team for Ottawa and REDBLACKS fans.
“These players will have an opportunity to make our roster once we get onto the field for camp in the spring.”
Desjardins and the REDBLACKS’ football operations staff continue to assemble the pre-season roster, with the CFL Expansion Draft the next major milestone on December 16. The team will select 24 players from the eight other CFL clubs, including eight import players and 16 non-imports.
The team will hold the first training camp in club history during the spring of 2014. Dates and location of camp are to be determined.
Over 12,000 fans reserved the right to purchase REDBLACKS season tickets and those fans are currently choosing their actual seats in the team’s new stadium at Lansdowne Park. Reservations for season tickets are still being taken by telephone at 613-232-6767, ext. 1 or by visiting www.ottawaredblacks.com.
