January 18th: REDBLACKS re-sign Defensive MOP Lorenzo Mauldin IV

This one came as a mild surprise. Mauldin had said that he planned to evaluate all options going into free agency. Presumably that included waiting until the "legal tampering" period before free agency hit to see what other CFL clubs might offer.

Evidently the REDBLACKS offer was too good to pass up, even if it's for just one year. Most of the club's re-signings have been for two seasons.

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have re-signed the CFL's reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player, inking defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV to a one-year deal, the team announced today.

“What’s good Ottawa! It was such a pleasure playing for the REDBLACKS in 2022 and I happen to love you all so much that I wanted to do it again in 2023!," said Mauldin. "My family and I are excited to keeping calling Ottawa home next season. Thanks for the love, RNation!"

Mauldin, 30, took the league by storm in his first season with the REDBLACKS, after arriving from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats via free agency. The Sacramento, California native set a REDBLACKS single season record, with a CFL-leading 17 sacks in 2022, also recording 43 tackles, and a pair of forced fumbles, appearing in all 18 games. 

 “Lorenzo Mauldin is a player who gives everything he can every time he hits the field and is someone you don’t want to be playing against,” said REDBLACKS General Manager Shawn Burke. “He was last year’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player for a reason and we’re excited to see him take the next step in his career as a REDBLACK.”

Named to the 2022 CFL All-Star team, Mauldin became just the second player in Ottawa franchise history to earn Most Outstanding Defensive Player honours, and first since Greg Marshall in 1983.

After a stint in the NFL, Mauldin joined the Ti-Cats in 2019. He appeared in 17 games across the 2019, and 2021 seasons, recording 25 total tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble.

January 13th, 2023: Brendan Gillanders Announces Retirement

OTTAWA - Ottawa REDBLACKS running back Brendan Gillanders has announced his retirement from professional football, after eight Canadian Football League seasons.

"When I started playing football here in Ottawa at the age of 10, I never dreamt I would one day play in two Grey Cups, and help bring one home to family, friends and our amazing fanbase. My family and I are sincerely thankful to the REDBLACKS organization, and all of the wonderful people working at OSEG, and the OSEG Foundation," said Gillanders. "As hard as it is to walk away from playing professional football, it is much harder to leave the amazing people in our locker room and facility. Finally, as the newest member of RNation, I could not be any more excited to watch Coach Dyce lead the REDBLACKS into the 2023 season, as they work towards another Grey Cup."

Born in Orleans, Gillanders played his collegiate football at the University of Ottawa, before signing with the Toronto Argonauts on December 18, 2013. He spent two seasons in Toronto, before inking a contract with his hometown REDBLACKS on February 9, 2016. Gillanders helped Ottawa to their first Grey Cup victory in 2016, and another appearance in 2018, as a fixture on Bob Dyce's special teams units.

"I honestly believe if something had ever happened to me, Brendan Gillanders could have played and coached our special teams unit at the same time," said Head Coach Bob Dyce. "I’m not sure I’ve had a player prepare with the professionalism and detail that Brendan did in my seven years in Ottawa. Gilly set the standard high for himself and his teammates and we will miss him immensely. We wish him and his family all the best as they embark on this next step."

All told, Gillanders wraps up his CFL career having appeared in 114 regular season games, rushing for 302 yards on 66 carries, and racking up 344 yards on 39 receptions. On special teams, he recorded 63 tackles, and a forced fumble. 

Off the field, Gillanders has been a mainstay in the Ottawa community, regularly teaming up with the OSEG Foundation and participating in events throughout the city. His work in the community and his passion for the game led to Gillanders being named the REDBLACKS nominee for the Jake Gaudaur Veteran's Award in 2022.

Nov. 1st, 1969: Ottawa Sooners 33, Windsor AKO Fratmen 00

The game summary below appeared in the November 3rd, 1969, Ottawa Citizen. Its wonky layout made it awkward to fit on the Sooners' own page.   

Turns out they had plenty of trouble with the west, they lost 28-07 to Saskatoon two weeks later in the national championship game.

January 3rd, 2023: "DeVonte Dedmon returns to REDBLACKS for two more years"

Thought this might be the first of a number of signings but things dried up after this one. No big deal, if you're going to announce one re-signing all week, this is a good one.

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS are bringing back receiver and return specialist DeVonte Dedmon for two more years, the club announced Tuesday. 

"There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. This is home," said Dedmon. "I’m excited to be back with my teammates and to have the opportunity to learn from this great coaching staff. I believe in this group. This is my family."

Dedmon, 26, broke out with Ottawa during the 2021 season, following a standout rookie campaign in 2019. He totaled 2,841 return yards, and with three touchdowns, became the fastest player in CFL history to record five return touchdowns in his career. For his efforts, Dedmon was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player, along with earning CFL All-Star honours. He rejoined the REDBLACKS during the 2022 season after pursuing an NFL opportunity with the Miami Dolphins. 

In 22 career CFL games, Dedmon has returned 83 punts for 1,250 yards and three touchdowns, along with 73 kick returns for 1,947 yards and two touchdowns. Offensively, Dedmon has caught 23 of 26 passes for 219 yards, 148 of those coming after the catch. 

I wonder now if the slower pace means the team is comfortable lettings most of the remaining 20-something free agents walk, or at least test free agency next month. There are still a couple of free-agents-to-be I'd like to see return (Lorenzo Mauldin IV is an obvious one) but a team that goes winless at home and has 10 wins over three seasons needs some change.

January 1st, 1937: "Fr. Wm. J. Stanton Dies In Crash Near Chatham"

Father William Stanton, long-time coach of several sports at the University of Ottawa in the early 1900s, died in a car accident on new year's day of 1937.

The snippets below are from the evening edition of the January 2nd, 1937, Ottawa Citizen. The Citizen combined reports from the Associated Press, Canadian Press and other sources, which caused the article to be a little disjointed and repetitive. I've chopped out the parts that are more relevant to his football contributions. 

Not mentioned above is that Father Stanton coached the Ottawa Combines team of 1913, a fusion of Ottawa city team (the Rough Riders) and the university of Ottawa club.