During the 2019-2021 CFL off-season the Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive back Abdul Kanneh. Kanneh was signed by the Redblacks after spending time with both the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Toronto Argonauts from 2017 through the 2019 CFL season but is and always will be known for the success he had in the nation’s capital early on in his professional career. He played for the Redblacks during their first year of existence, being around for the 2-16 season but also grew with the team, going to the Grey Cup the next year and winning it in 2016 thanks to a massive Abdul Kanneh shoe string tackle on Calgary quarterback Andrew Buckley on a goal line scramble. When he became available once again for the Ottawa Redblacks, after going 3-15 in 2019 and losing a number of defensive backs already, it was a no brainer to bring in the Redblacks’ fan favourite once again.
In Kanneh’s first game back in red and black, the entire Ottawa Redblacks organization and fan base was reminded of the kind of player he is. Making seven tackles on the day against the Edmonton Elks and changing the game with two interceptions, including one pick six, Abdul Kanneh was looked at as the entire league’s player of the week, except that would be the last time we’d see from him until week 10 against the Toronto Argonauts. Kanneh missed a total 6 games after suffering an injury in practice, but has now been back for two games and is set to make his return to TD Place. It will be the first time since the 2016 CFL East Final against the Edmonton Football Team where Abdul Kanneh, in number 14 will suit up at TD Place with the Ottawa Redblacks and he will do so alongside good friend on the team and other fan favourite for R-Nation Sherrod Baltimore.
Baltimore has played three games on the season this year, just coming back against the Montreal Alouettes on Monday after getting hurt following the game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium, but all three of his games have been on the road, making his last home game just under two full calendar years ago on November 1st 2019 against the Alouettes. On Saturday at 4:00 he and Kanneh will both suit up at TD Place for the first time on the 2021 CFL season, and with three home games left on the season, they look to bring an electric vibe to all of R-Nation as the Redblacks do indeed look to close out on a strong note, with the opportunity of making the playoffs still up for grabs with 5 games left on the schedule.
Also back in the lineup on the defensive side of the ball is linebacker Jerod Fernandez. Fernandez won the Ottawa Redblacks’ 2019 rookie of the year award after making 53 tackles and forcing 2 fumbles in just 11 games. After making a number of signings at the linebacker position this past off-season the Redblacks had Fernandez on the CFL practice roster for the majority of the 2021 season, but with the injury to Avery Williams last week, Jerod Fernandez will be getting his first game action of the season and first action since the final game of the 2019 CFL season against the Alouettes on Saturday.
The Ottawa Redblacks will play their 10th game of the 2021 CFL season on Saturday and will look to start their 5 game winning streak to close out the season with Caleb Evans at quarterback, De’Lance Turner at running back and those mentioned back in the lineup. Watch the Redblacks and Alouettes at TD Place at 4:00 on Saturday or on TSN from home.
JZ MEDIA 