Roughriders sign returner Mario Alford to contract extension

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have extended their super returner.

Mario Alford has signed a contract extension with the CFL club. The 31-year-old product of Greenville, Ga., was slated to become a free agent in February.

Alford, who joined the Riders after a trade with the Montreal Alouettes in Week 5 of the 2022 season, returned four kicks for touchdowns and is the West Division’s nominee for most outstanding special-teams player.

He became the fifth player in league history to record a returner hat trick — a punt, missed field goal and kickoff return for touchdowns — during a season. His four touchdowns were also the most by a Saskatchewan kick returner in a season ever.

In total, Alford recorded 43 punt returns for 524 yards (for a 12.2-yard average) and a touchdown, 37 kickoff returns for 937 yards (a 25.3-yard average) and two touchdowns, and three missed field-goal returns for 129 yards (a 43-yard average) and another major.