Wikipedia

Mario Alford

Mario Alford (born February 25, 1992) is an American professional football wide receiver and Return specialist for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2014.[1][2][3]

Mario Alford
refer to caption
Alford with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
No. 2 – Saskatchewan Roughriders
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1992-02-25) February 25, 1992 (age 32)
Greenville, Georgia, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:177 lb (80 kg)
Career information
High school:Greenville
College:
NFL draft:2015 / round: 7 / pick: 238
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:American
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:1
Receiving yards:15
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career CFL statistics
Receptions:8
Receiving yards:71
Return yards:2,834
Return touchdowns:7
Stats at CFL.ca

Professional career

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Cincinnati Bengals

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Alford was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round, 238th overall, in the 2015 NFL draft.[4] He played in one game his rookie year with the Bengals registering one catch for 15 yards. On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Bengals.[5]

 
Alford with the Cleveland Browns during the 2017 preseason

New York Jets

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On November 16, 2016, Alford was signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets.[6] He was released by the team on December 6, 2016.[7]

Cleveland Browns

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Alford was signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad on December 13, 2016.[8] He was promoted to the active roster on December 17, 2016.[9]

On September 1, 2017, Alford was waived by the Browns during roster cutdowns.[10]

Chicago Bears

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On September 12, 2017, Alford was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad. [11]

Toronto Argonauts

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On June 3, 2018, Alford signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In his lone season in Toronto, Alford appeared in six games and caught seven passes for 57 yards, returned eight kick-offs for 170 yards, had five punt returns for seven yards, and rushed the ball once for 10 yards.[12] He was released on May 25, 2019.

Montreal Alouettes

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On September 24, 2019, it was announced that Alford had signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.[13] He was signed for the 2021 season on December 15, 2020.[14] Over parts of three seasons, Alford played in nine games with the Alouettes where he had 24 kickoff returns for 477 yards, 26 punt returns for 486 yards and three touchdowns, and two missed field goal returns for 45 yards.[12]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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On July 3, 2022, Alford was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft.[15] He played in 13 regular season games for the team where he had 38 kickoff returns for 990 yards and two touchdowns, 44 punt returns for 530 yards and one touchdown, and three missed field goal returns for 129 yards and one touchdown.[12] For his strong season, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2022.[16]

On November 15, 2022, the Roughriders announced that Alford had signed a contract extension with the team.[17] In 2023, he had 2,266 combined yards (978 punt return, 1,181 kickoff return, 107 missed field goal return). Alford added three touchdowns on punt returns, including two on July 15 against the Calgary Stampeders.

On January 4, 2024, the Roughriders announced that Alford had signed a one-year contract extension with the team.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Duane Rankin, Montgomery Advertiser (August 28, 2014). "WVU WR Mario Alford very familiar with SEC football". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  2. ^ "WV MetroNews – No longer pressing to be the next Tavon, Alford proves dynamic at new spot". WV MetroNews. March 7, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "WV MetroNews – Upbeat Alford 'going to ball out' during senior season". WV MetroNews. August 3, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  4. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  5. ^ Toback, Rebecca (September 3, 2016). "Bengals Roster 2016: Cincinnati's 53-man roster is set". CincyJungle.com. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  6. ^ Lange, Randy (November 16, 2016). "Jets Sign WR Mario Alford to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  7. ^ Allen, Eric (December 6, 2016). "Jets Waive C.J. Spiller and Jeremy Ross". NewYorkJets.com.
  8. ^ "Browns promote DL Gabe Wright to active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017.
  9. ^ "Browns promote WR Mario Alford to active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 17, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017.
  10. ^ "Browns reduce roster to 65". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
  11. ^ Mayer, Larry (September 12, 2017). "Freeman joins White on injured reserve". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c "Mario Alford". Canadian Football League. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "Alouettes transactions". Montreal Alouettes. September 24, 2019.
  14. ^ "Als extend pending FAs David Menard & Mario Alford". CFL.ca. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  15. ^ TSN ca Staff (July 3, 2022). "Roughriders acquire WR/KR Alford in trade with Alouettes - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  16. ^ "Back to back: Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros wins most outstanding player". Canadian Football League. November 17, 2022.
  17. ^ "Riders sign Mario Alford to contract extension". CFL.ca. November 15, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "Run it Back: Alford, Riders agree to one-year extension". CFL.ca. January 4, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
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