OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks released receiver/kick-returner DeVonte Dedmon on Wednesday to pursue NFL opportunities.
Dedmon was named the CFL’s top special-teams player last season and a league all-star as a returner. He led the CFL in return touchdowns (three), punt return yards (737) and average (15.4), kickoff return yardage (1,223) and kickoff return average (25.0).
Dedmon signed with Ottawa in May 2019 and make an immediate impact. In five regular-season appearances, he had 22 punt returns for 339 yards and a TD and 16 kickoff returns for 542 yards and a TD.
He scored his first pro TD against Montreal on Aug. 2, 2019, returning a kick 111 yards. In the same game, Dedmon added a 95-yard punt return touchdown, setting a club record with 377 total return yards.
Dedmon also registered 15 catches for 161 yards in 16 career games with Ottawa as well as rushing 10 times for 68 yards and a TD.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2022.
The Canadian Press
