Veteran CFL receiver Naaman Roosevelt among 15 players released by Montreal Alouettes

MONTREAL — Veteran American receiver Naaman Roosevelt was among 15 players released Monday by the Montreal Alouettes.

Roosevelt, 33, had 77 catches for 946 yards and a TD in 2019 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The six-foot, 199-pound Roosevelt spent five seasons in Regina before signing as a free agent with Montreal in 2020.

He signed a contract extension with the Alouettes on Dec. 18, 2020 after the CFL didn’t stage a 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roosevelt has 301 career catches for 4,134 yards and 20 TDs in 67 regular-season games. Before coming to the CFL, the former University of Buffalo star spent time in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills (2010-12, 2014), Cleveland Browns (2013) and Detroit Lions (2014).

Courtney Stephen rejoins Hamilton Tiger-Cats

HAMILTON — Courtney Stephen is back with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The six-foot-one, 199-pound Brampton, Ont., native retired last month after eight CFL seasons as a defensive back, including seven spent with the Ticats. On Monday, Stephen was appointed the club’s director of community partnerships.

He’ll begin his new post next month. Stephen will oversee Hamilton’s community outreach efforts by developing strategies and executing programs designed to promote healthy, active and empowered youth.

“We’re extremely excited to have Courtney join our staff as our community partnerships lead as we strive to continue to make a difference in the Greater Hamilton Area,” Matt Afinec, Hamilton’s president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “Courtney understands our community mandate having been a huge part of it when he was a player.

“He most recently helped launch our Future Business Leaders Seminar program and we look forward to expanding on that and similar programs moving forward.”

Stephen appeared in 113 career regular-season games with Hamilton (2013-18, 20) and Calgary (2019). He registered 219 tackles, 54 special-teams tackles, two sacks, 12 interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

“Since the first day I arrived in Hamilton, the fans and people in the community welcomed me with open arms,” Stephen said in statement. “Hamilton will always hold a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to begin where I left off as a player and continue helping the Tiger-Cats give back to a community that gives so much to us.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2021.

The Canadian Press