A couple of weeks ago the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks parted ways with long time general manager Marcel Desjardins. They then proceeded to extend the contracts of kickoff return specialist DeVonte Dedmon, punter Richie Leone and placekicker Lewis Ward to kick start their 2021/2022 CFL off-season.
After staying silent over the recent weeks, the Redblacks front office made their way back into the press, re-signing three Canadian players on Tuesday. The team announced the contract extensions of running back Brendan Gillanders, defensive back Justin Howell and Nigel Romick. These names aren’t, and haven’t been big names on the stat sheets for the Ottawa Redblacks during their time in the nation’s capital but have been very large assets to the team when they are on the football field. All three have major roles on special teams and serve important roles as Canadians when they get into game action on offence and defence.
This season, Ottawa-raised running back and University of Ottawa product Brendan Gillanders has 30 yards of offence on just 5 touches, adding to his 600+ yards that he’s gained since entering the CFL in 2014. He was signed by Ottawa in 2016 and has played in his hometown since.
Nigel Romick recorded his first career sack this 2021 CFL season against the Montreal Alouettes on Thanksgiving and has made 91 special teams tackles over the 7 seasons he’s played with the Ottawa Redblacks. He is one of just 3 original Ottawa Redblacks on the roster alongside Antoine Pruneau and Nolan MacMillan.
Justin Howell, a Carleton University product has been with the Redblacks since the 2018 CFL season and has made 66 tackles, and a sack over the 39 games played leading into the final game of the 2021 CFL season.
JZ MEDIA 