Football – Brandon Sun

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly lifts the Grey Cup during a Grey Cup championship rally in Toronto on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday to win the cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Veteran quarterback Chad Kelly ready to return as Toronto Argonauts starter

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Apr. 2, 2026

Chad Kelly feels like he's ready to resume being the Toronto Argonauts' starting quarterback.

Kelly missed all of last season recovering from a leg injury suffered in the 2024 East Division final. Toronto will open training camp next month and the 32-year-old Buffalo, N.Y., native said he feels good physically.

"I feel like I can go," Kelly told reporters Thursday during a video conference. "To finally be healed up fully in January was a big, you know, step forward mentally that I needed to overcome.

"So, you know, I'm just trying to build the tank as much as I can, keep on working out with the guys and throwing to them as much as I can and just being ready mentally and physically to go through a long season. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon."

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Philpot twins, Rourke among CFL players chasing Olympic flag football dream

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Philpot twins, Rourke among CFL players chasing Olympic flag football dream

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

HAMILTON - The L.A. Summer Games offer twins Tyson and Jalen Philpot a chance to return to their football roots.

Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028, with Canada chasing a spot in the inaugural event. The receivers from Delta, B.C., are entering their fifth CFL seasons — Tyson with the Montreal Alouettes, Jalen with the Calgary Stampeders — but their first taste of football came in flag.

"I wouldn't be the player I am without flag football," Jalen Philpot said Wednesday. "It's where I was really exposed to real coaching and critiques.

"Tyson and I would definitely love to get back out there and play."

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Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

Twins Tyson and Jalen Philpot, receivers with the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders, are shown left to right in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout Kevin Sousa (Mandatory Credit)

Calgary Stampeders sign running back/returner Tyreik McAllister

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Calgary Stampeders sign running back/returner Tyreik McAllister

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026

Tyreik McAllister is back in the CFL.

The American running back/returner signed with the Calgary Stampeders on Tuesday.

The five-foot-10, 185-pound McAllister spent the 2023 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, appearing in 16 regular-season games. He registered 41 kickoff returns for 1,037 yards, 56 punt returns for 602 yards and seven missed-field-goal returns for 408 yards and a touchdown.

He also had 27 catches for 364 yards and two touchdowns while running 13 times for 52 yards. McAllister's 2,463 all-purpose yards led the CFL, as was his 25.3-yard average on kickoffs, and he was Hamilton's nominee for the league's top special-teams performer.

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Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) returns a kickoff against the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev. Raiders defeated the Browns 20-16. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)

Edmonton Elks bring back veteran coach Rick Campbell in analyst role

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Edmonton Elks bring back veteran coach Rick Campbell in analyst role

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026

EDMONTON - Rick Campbell is back with the Edmonton Elks.

The CFL team hired Campbell as a coaching analyst Tuesday.

Campbell began his CFL coaching career as defensive backs and special-teams co-ordinator with Edmonton (1999-04), as well as the defensive co-ordinator (2005-08) and won two Grey Cup titles with the organization.

Campbell's father, Hugh, guided Edmonton to five straight Grey Cup titles (1978-82) as head coach and later served as a GM, president and CEO before retiring in 2006.

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Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026

Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell, left, runs drills during practice ahead of the106th Grey Cup against the Calgary Stampeders in Edmonton on Friday, November 23, 2018. The THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ralph Holley’s return part of an active off-season for the Toronto Argonauts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Ralph Holley’s return part of an active off-season for the Toronto Argonauts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Mar. 30, 2026

TORONTO -

It's a move that's flown under the radar during a busy off-season, but Ralph Holley's return gives the Toronto Argonauts much more than a tenacious pass rusher.

The six-foot-one, 285-pound defensive tackle re-signed with Toronto in November following a stint with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. In 2024, Holley helped the Argos win the Grey Cup, finishing tied for the league lead in sacks in his first CFL season.

Holley and teammate Jake Ceresna were among five players to post eight sacks that season as Toronto registered a CFL-leading 48 overall. Folarin Orimolade, Derek Parish, and Canadian Robbie Smith all added six sacks for a front that had balance and could get to the quarterback on its own.

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Monday, Mar. 30, 2026

Toronto Argonauts' Ralph Holley stretches during football practice ahead of the 111th CFL Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Mark Washington returns to B.C. Lions coaching staff

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Mark Washington returns to B.C. Lions coaching staff

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 11:59 AM CDT

VANCOUVER - Mark Washington is back with the B.C. Lions.

The Lions named Washington as their linebacker coach Wednesday.

Washington began his CFL coaching career with B.C. in 2008, spending six seasons as defensive backs coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014. He remained in that job until becoming the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive co-ordinator/defensive backs coach in 2019. Washington was let go by the Ticats during the 2024 season.

Washington played defensive back for 11 CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (1997-02) and Lions (2003-07). He registered 483 tackles, 48 special-teams tackles, 17 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries, and one sack over 156 regular-season games.

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11:59 AM CDT

A B.C. Lions helmet is seen on a table during a practice in Vancouver, on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Montreal Alouettes bring top tackler Micah Awe back on one-year contract

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Montreal Alouettes bring top tackler Micah Awe back on one-year contract

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 7:31 PM CDT

MONTREAL - American linebacker Micah Awe has signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes and returns to the club for a second stint.

Awe led the CFL in defensive tackles with 114 in 2025 when he played for the B.C. Lions.

He also contributed three special teams tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions for the Lions last season.

The 32-year-old played 13 games with the Alouettes in 2022.

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Yesterday at 7:31 PM CDT

B.C. Lions' Micah Awe, left, runs an interception as Calgary Stampeders' Tevin Jones grabs for him during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

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Alouettes’ Philpot embraces pressure as CFL’s highest-paid Canadian receiver

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Alouettes’ Philpot embraces pressure as CFL’s highest-paid Canadian receiver

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 3:25 PM CDT

Tyson Philpot is comfortable as the CFL benchmark at his position.

Last December, the Montreal Alouettes signed Philpot to a two-year extension that made him the league's highest-paid Canadian receiver. The deal called for $275,000 in hard money for 2026 and $285,000 next year and included a $100,000 signing bonus.

The 25-year-old Delta, B.C., native, entering his fifth CFL season, expects to be the standard others are judged against.

"What comes with being the best is having people who're breathing down your neck and I think that's what makes you great," Philpot said recently. "That's what's always allowed me to rise to the highest occasion, taking that all in and running with it.

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Yesterday at 3:25 PM CDT

Montreal Alouettes' Tyson Philpot hoists the cup as the team arrives at Mirabel airport after winning the Grey Cup, in Mirabel, Que., Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Purdue offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro keeping open mind for CFL draft

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Purdue offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro keeping open mind for CFL draft

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 27, 2026

The heavy lifting is done but the job certainly isn't finished for Giordano Vaccaro.

The six-foot-two, 307-pound offensive lineman won't test at the CFL combine, which begins Friday in Edmonton, after participating in Purdue's pro day March 4. But the Winnipeg native is in Alberta for interviews with league scouts, coaches and front-office personnel.

"I don't think anything is really over," Vaccaro said. "I'm still training each and every day trying to be the best version of myself and preparing for a potential opportunity with a team.

"As for the interviews, I'm just going to go out there and be myself. I'm ready. I'm excited."

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Friday, Mar. 27, 2026

Canadian offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro poses in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Levi Blustein, CFL.ca (Mandatory Credit)

Roughriders’ Corey Mace captures CFL’s coach of the year award

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Roughriders’ Corey Mace captures CFL’s coach of the year award

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

EDMONTON - A 2025 season to remember just became even more memorable for Corey Mace.

The 40-year-old native of Port Moody, B.C., was named the CFL's coach of the year for the first time Wednesday.

The honour followed Mace earning his first Grey Cup title as a head coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders' 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes in November.

Montreal's Jason Maas was the award finalist. He won it in 2024, with Mace being the runner-up.

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Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace speaks during a end-of-season media availability in Regina, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Alouettes coach Jason Maas comfortable with Anthony Calvillo taking over play-calling

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Alouettes coach Jason Maas comfortable with Anthony Calvillo taking over play-calling

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

Jason Maas isn’t worried about fixing something that isn’t broken.

The Montreal Alouettes announced earlier this off-season that Anthony Calvillo, their offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach, would take over play-calling duties from Maas, the team’s head coach. But Maas said Wednesday that Calvillo began calling plays midway through last season, when Montreal reached the Grey Cup before losing 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"I felt comfortable with it, and to me, it culminated with a Grey Cup appearance, so obviously I felt like it went pretty well," Maas said. "AC had proven himself to me and done such a good job with handling the offence, the installs, and the putting together.

"The collaboration with the whole staff has just been amazing, so relinquishing the play-calling at the end was the easy part for me."

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Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

Montreal Alouettes offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo takes part in a media meet and greet in the Alouettes' locker room, in Montreal on Thursday, March 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Ottawa’s Akheem Mesidor still ‘same kid’ despite NFL hype, high school coach says

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Ottawa’s Akheem Mesidor still ‘same kid’ despite NFL hype, high school coach says

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2026

Football success, it seems, hasn't changed Ottawa's Akheem Mesidor.

Since heading to the U.S. in 2019, the defensive lineman has developed into a projected first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. But Jesse Chinchar, Mesidor's former high school coach, says he remains the same thoughtful player he coached more than six years ago.

"He's the same Akheem, kind of soft-spoken, but when he speaks, you can tell he's thought about what he's going to say," Chinchar said. "Just a really good energy about him, and he's got a smile that can light up a room.

"He's always been a professional mindset-type kid, so I'm not surprised with how things have worked out for him. We knew how special he was and that he had a chance to be this type of guy."

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Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2026

Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor works out during the school's NFL Pro Day, Monday March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)

Defensive lineman Pene looking for opportunity to play pro football in Canada

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Defensive lineman Pene looking for opportunity to play pro football in Canada

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 23, 2026

Wilfried Pene can't wait to be a football player again.

Pene, 25, of Tours, France, will attend the CFL's national combine this week in Edmonton. It comes roughly nine months after being released by the NFL's New England Patriots.

"I want to show that I'm still a football player," he said. "That I'm still fast, still strong and I'm athletic."

The six-foot-three, 285-pound Pene — whose full name is pronounced will-fred PEN'-aye — is eligible for the CFL global draft April 29. He played at Virginia Tech, both as a tight end and defensive lineman, registering 73 total tackles (nine for loss) with five sacks in 34 career games.

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Monday, Mar. 23, 2026

This is a 2025 photo of Wilfried Pene of the New England Patriots NFL football team. This image reflects the New England Patriots active roster as of Wednesday, June 4, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

MSU defensive back Cromwell looking forward to auditioning for pro football scouts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

MSU defensive back Cromwell looking forward to auditioning for pro football scouts

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

Devynn Cromwell's speed and athleticism will be on full display for the next week.

The six-foot 200-pound defensive back was scheduled to participate in Michigan State's pro day Thursday and will head to Edmonton for the CFL's national combine March 27-29.

It's a condensed schedule but the Toronto native is embracing the opportunity to audition before pro scouts on both sides of the border.

"I want to show scouts my athleticism, that's a big part," Cromwell said. "Showcasing my speed, explosiveness and agility.

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Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

Michigan State defensive back Devynn Cromwell (27) during an NCAA football game against Indiana on Oct. 18, 2025 in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)

Canadian DL Akheem Mesidor projected 15th overall in NFL mock draft

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canadian DL Akheem Mesidor projected 15th overall in NFL mock draft

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

Canadian Akheem Mesidor is moving up in Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock NFL draft projection.

Jeremiah still sees Ottawa's Mesidor as a solid first-round prospect, projecting the Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15 overall.

Jeremiah had Mesidor, 24, going 17th overall to the Detroit Lions in his first mock draft. In his second, he slotted Mesidor to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 20.

The NFL draft gets underway April 23 with the first round, followed by rounds two and three April 24 and the final four rounds April 25.

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Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is sacked by Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Stamps, Ticats, Riders named finalists for inaugural Goveia football operations award

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Stamps, Ticats, Riders named finalists for inaugural Goveia football operations award

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

TORONTO - The Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders were named finalists for the inaugural Ted Goveia football operations award, the CFL said Thursday.

The winner will be recognized as part of the league's coach of the year celebration on March 25 in Edmonton.

The award recognizes a team's football operations department for outstanding achievement in scouting, player identification, roster building and leadership.

It is voted on by the football operations departments of the nine CFL clubs, the league said.

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Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

April 8, 2026

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