Two defensive backs have been released from the Calgary Stampeders, while two former players have been elected to the Canadian Football League (CFL) Hall of Fame.
The Stampeders announced on Tuesday that they have released defensive backs Brandon Smith and Jamar Wall. Smith, who has been with the team since 2008, is a two-time Grey Cup champion and has been named a CFL All-Star four times. Wall, who joined the Stampeders in 2012, has also won two Grey Cups and has been named a CFL All-Star twice.
In a statement, Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel thanked Smith and Wall for their contributions to the team and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Meanwhile, two former Stampeders players have been elected to the CFL Hall of Fame. Linebacker Alondra Johnson and offensive lineman Kelvin Anderson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in November.
Johnson, who played for the Stampeders from 1991 to 2003, is a three-time Grey Cup champion and a four-time CFL All-Star. He also holds the record for most tackles in CFL history with 1,006.
Anderson, who played for the Stampeders from 1996 to 2002, is a two-time Grey Cup champion and a five-time CFL All-Star. He is also the Stampeders’ all-time leading rusher with 8,292 yards.
In a statement, Hufnagel congratulated Johnson and Anderson on their well-deserved induction into the CFL Hall of Fame, saying that they were both integral parts of the Stampeders’ success during their time with the team.
The Stampeders will honor Johnson and Anderson during a home game in the upcoming season.
The release of Smith and Wall and the induction of Johnson and Anderson into the CFL Hall of Fame mark significant changes for the Calgary Stampeders. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, fans will be eager to see how these changes will impact the team’s performance on the field.
