The Boys Are Back...Are You?

The Boys are Back...Are You?

Here is your REDBLACKS Re-Sign Recap! Your Ottawa REDBLACKS are gearing up for a bigger and better 2022 season! Last week the team announced their lock up of punter Richie Leone for the 2022 season, their re-signing of dynamic returner/receiver DeVonte Dedmon to a one-year contract extension, and announced their secure of record-setting kicker Lewis Ward.

In just nine games this year, Dedmon has returned 41 punts for 637 yards and two touchdowns while also returning 41 kick-offs for 1,011 yards. Offensively, Dedmon turned 12 offensive targets into 10 catches for 98 yards, in addition to rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Leone, a six-year CFL veteran, has steadily established himself as one of the leagues best punters. With two games left in the season, Leone leads the CFL in total punt yards (4,267 yards) and sits second in average punt distance (46.9). Leone joined the REDBLACKS for the 2018 season following two years with the BC Lions and time with the Arizona Cardinals organization.

After emerging as a starter in his five-season career with the University of Ottawa GeeGees, Ward signed with the REDBLACKS in January of 2018. Not only did he break the single-game field goals record in his rookie season (seven), but Ward also set the professional football record for consecutive field goals made, with 69, and became the first kicker to ever win the Most Outstanding Rookie award in 2018, finishing the season with an all-time best field goal accuracy record of 98.1%.

The Kingston, Ontario product has converted on 90% of his field goal attempts thus far in 2021, making good on 27 of 30. Through 12 games, Ward has produced a total of 93 points for the REDBLACKS.

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