OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS have made a trade on 2014 CFL Draft day, acquiring all-star veteran offensive lineman and centre Jon Gott from the Calgary Stampeders in exchange for Ottawa’s first overall selection in the 2014 CFL Draft and the rights to centre Marwan Hage.
“Trading for Jon Gott was by far a better option for us than making the first overall selection” said REDBLACKS general
manager Marcel Desjardins. “Our coaching staff is familiar with Jon as a player and as a person, so we know he’ll be a strong performer and a good teammate. Jon has proven himself to be a reliable, responsible and durable CFL player and we’re happy to have him in the REDBLACKS organization.”
The REDBLACKS would receive a conditional draft pick from Calgary should the Stampeders trade Hage’s rights to another team.
The 28-year-old Gott is a five-year CFL veteran who saw action in 16 games in 2013, including 14 starts at left guard and one at centre. He also started the West final against Saskatchewan and was named a divisional all-star for the first time in his career.
In 2012, Gott played in 17 regular-season games and started at centre in 15 of those contests. He also started in all three playoff games for the Stampeders that season: the West semi-final, the West final and the Grey Cup.
The native of Edmonton attended Boise State and emerged as the go-to right guard in 2008 for the Broncos and was part of an offensive line that allowed just six sacks in eight Western Athletic Conference games.
By: Barre Campbell
