Jeff Almon

Last updated

Jeff Almon
Born: (1978-05-20) May 20, 1978 (age 43)
Career information
Position(s) FB
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
University Calgary
High school St. Thomas Aquinas
CFL draft 2002 / Round: 4 / Pick: 36
Drafted by Calgary Stampeders
Career history
As player
2002 Calgary Stampeders*
2003 BC Lions
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Jeff Almon (born May 20, 1978) is a former professional Canadian football fullback who played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He played college football for the Calgary Dinos from 1997 to 2002. While at the University of Calgary, Almon studied kinesiology. The Calgary Stampeders selected Almon in the fourth round of the 2002 CFL Draft, but he didn't make the team. After playing his final year of college eligibility, Almon was signed by the Lions. During the 2003 season, Almon played one game for the Lions.

Contents

Early career

Almon played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School. He initially played as a defensive end, but converted to the tight end position where he played for most of his high school career. [1] [2] As a senior in 1996, he was nominated to be the Burlington Spectator Athlete of the Week for his contributions to the football team. [3] The St. Thomas Aquinas team went on to win the county championship that year. [2] Almon also played ice hockey and competed in shot put with the track and field team in high school. [4] [5]

From 1997 to 2002, Almon played college football for the Calgary Dinos of the University of Calgary. For his first two seasons and the first half of 1999, Almon played as a slotback for the Dinos. Halfway through the 1999 season, the Dinos coaching staff converted Almon to the position of fullback, which he went on to play for the rest of his career. [2] Running back coach Chris Lewis cited Almon's blocking, speed, and ability as a receiver as ideal for the non-traditional backfield the Dinos wished to run, and Lewis stated that they intended to use Almon in a more versatile role than a "traditional fullback". [2] Almon started in this role for the rest of his time with the Dinos. [6] As a senior in 2001 and after returning in 2002, Almon was selected as a co-captain of the Dinos. [6] [7]

Professional career

In April 2002, Almon was invited to the evaluation camp for top prospects for the CFL draft. His skill at blocking, ability on special teams, and experience as a receiver were all cited by the press as factors that may attract interest from teams in the draft. [1] On the return flight from the evaluation camp, Almon was seated near Calgary Stampeders assistant coach Mike Benevides, who later stated he made a favourable impression. [8] The Calgary Stampeders selected Almon in the fourth round of the 2002 CFL Draft with the 36th overall pick. [8] Almon attended training camp with the Stampeders and impressed head coach Wally Buono, who stated, "He's represented his school very well and been a credit to himself." [9] Almon didn't make the final roster, however, and the Stampeders sent him back to the Calgary Dinos to play out his final year of college eligibility. [10] [11]

Almon was signed by the BC Lions and attended their training camp in 2003. He was cut before the start of the regular season. [12] He was later activated due to injuries and played in a single regular season game for the Lions. [13] [14]

Personal life

Almon studied kinesiology at the University of Calgary and intended to start a career as a chiropractor. [8] After retiring from the CFL, Almon attended Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2008. He later founded the MVMTLAB Sports Performance Clinic. [15]

Almon's brother, Dave Almon, played college football for the Calgary Dinos as a defensive back. [8]

Related Research Articles

Dave Dickenson Canadian Football League head coach

David Dickenson is a Canadian football head coach with the Calgary Stampeders and former professional player with the Stampeders and the BC Lions where he won the 2006 Grey Cup and was named the game's MVP. Dickenson also played quarterback collegiately at the University of Montana, where he led the Montana Grizzlies to the 1995 NCAA I-AA college football championship.

Wally Buono

Pasquale "Wally" Buono is the vice president of football operations, alternate governor and the former head coach of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and one of the most successful head coaches in league history. He has spent 22 years as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders and the Lions, which is tied for the most seasons coached all-time. On September 19, 2009, Buono became the CFL's all-time winningest coach when his Lions beat the Toronto Argonauts 23–17, giving him 232 regular-season victories, passing Don Matthews. He retired in 2011 with a CFL record 254 regular-season wins as head coach, to focus on duties as general manager for the Lions. In 2016, Buono came out of retirement to coach the Lions again through the 2018 season. In the final home game of the 2018 season, Buono was honored with the Bob Ackles Award as he was retiring from football with the most wins as a coach.

Bret Anderson

Bret Anderson is a former Canadian football placekicker and slotback who played his entire career for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

Lyle Green Canadian gridiron football player (born 1976)

Lyle Green is a former gridiron football fullback. He was a member of the BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders.

Jabari Arthur is a Canadian football coach who serves as the offensive coordinator for the Calgary Dinos of U Sports football. He is a former professional wide receiver who played for eight years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion after winning with the Calgary Stampeders in 2008 and 2014. He is also a Vanier Cup champion with the Dinos following the team's victory in the 2019 game.

DeVone Claybrooks American gridiron football player and coach (born 1977)

Natravis DeVone Claybrooks is the former head coach of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for seven different teams. He also was a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders in the CFL. He has also been the defensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders. On December 11, 2018, he was announced as head coach of the BC Lions, replacing the retired Wally Buono. Claybrooks played college football at East Carolina.

Taurean Allen is a former professional Canadian football defensive back who played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Stampeders selected Allen in the second round of the 2010 CFL Draft. He played college football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. In 2010, Allen played in six regular season games for the Stampeders, recording seven tackles. He did not play in the 2011 season due to injury and was released shortly thereafter.

Jerome Messam is a former professional Canadian football running back. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the BC Lions. After being traded to the Edmonton Eskimos, he became the seventh Canadian running back since 1955 and the first since 2000 to rush for over 1,000 yards while also winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award. Messam played college football for Graceland University.

Matt Walter

Matthew John Walter is a retired professional Canadian football running back. Walter spent 4 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, he was most recently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted 34th overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2011 CFL Draft and was originally signed by the team on May 26, 2011. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos and played for the Stampeders from 2011 to 2015.

Anthony Lawrence Parker is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders and played with that organization for seven years, winning a Grey Cup championship in 2014. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos.

Kent Warnock is a defensive line coach for the Calgary Dinos of U Sports football and he is a former professional Canadian football defensive lineman who played for eight seasons for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions. He was drafted first overall in the 1986 CFL Draft by the Stampeders and won a Grey Cup championship with the team in 1992. He went to Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary, Alberta and played CIAU football for the Dinos where he won Vanier Cup championships in 1983 and 1985.

Charlie Power (Canadian football) Professional Canadian football running back

Charlie Power is a professional Canadian football running back and fullback for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Adam Konar Canadian football player

Adam Konar is a Canadian football linebacker for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally drafted 25th overall in the 2015 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Eskimos and played for four seasons with the team. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos.

Troy Alexander is a former Canadian football defensive tackle who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the BC Lions, and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. From 1995 to 1998, he played in 48 regular season games and recorded 68 tackles and 12 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and deflected one pass.

Ted Alford is a former professional gridiron football wide receiver. After playing college football at Langston University, he played for seven teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL), including the Edmonton Eskimos, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts, and Calgary Stampeders. In his rookie season with the BC Lions, Alford became a consistent starter and was nominated for the Most Outstanding Rookie award. He spent the next several years moving from team to team, playing in only 8 CFL games from 1997 through 2000.

Andrew Buckley is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for two seasons before announcing his retirement prior to the 2018 CFL season. He was drafted in the seventh round, 63rd overall, by the Stampeders in the 2015 CFL Draft. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos where he won two consecutive Hec Crighton Trophy awards in 2014 and 2015.

Sean McEwen Professional Canadian football offensive lineman

Sean McEwen is a professional Canadian football offensive lineman for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos.

Richard Sindani is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a Grey Cup champion after winning the 106th Grey Cup with the Stampeders. He played college football for the Regina Rams and Calgary Dinos and also played in the Canadian Junior Football League with the Calgary Colts.

Jake Paul Harty is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a Grey Cup champion after winning with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016 and he is a Vanier Cup champion as a coach after the Calgary Dinos won the 55th Vanier Cup in 2019.

Deronn "Bo" Palmer is a Canadian former gridiron football running back who played one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He played college football for Simon Fraser and was drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 CFL Draft by the Tiger-Cats. He later was on the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders, and won the 102nd Grey Cup in 2014.

References

  1. 1 2 Petrie, Michael (April 6, 2002). "Invitation surprises Dino: Almon picked for CFL draft evaluation camp". Calgary Herald. p. F3.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kimberley, Todd (August 21, 2000). "Running ball gives Almon joy: U of C back to join rush more often". Calgary Herald. p. D3.
  3. ↑ "Spec athletes of week achieve goals on teams with peaks and valleys". Hamilton Spectator. October 9, 1996. p. N12.
  4. ↑ "Lord Elgin Lancers rule rink; St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders run out of time". Hamilton Spectator. January 14, 1995. p. T4.
  5. ↑ "Track Results". Hamilton Spectator. May 17, 1997. p. N15.
  6. 1 2 Myers, Sean (August 31, 2001). "Optimism abounds as season arrives: U of C faces Alberta today". Calgary Herald. p. F4.
  7. ↑ Collins, Fred (August 29, 2002). "Quarterback learns plenty during season on shelf: Blumell returns from serious thumb injury". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Myers, Sean (April 26, 2002). "Getting drafted gives Almon joy: Stamps grab Dinos fullback". Calgary Herald. p. F5.
  9. ↑ Petrie, Michael (June 18, 2002). "Almon a quick study". Calgary Herald. p. F4.
  10. ↑ "Stampeders Camp". Calgary Herald. June 23, 2002. p. B5.
  11. ↑ Stephen, Mark (June 30, 2002). "Ex-Stamps Spaith, Liske saluted in style". Calgary Herald. p. B4.
  12. ↑ Ullrich, Lowell (June 8, 2003). "Buono claws two picks out of Argos for Allen". The Vancouver Province. p. A68.
  13. ↑ Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 144. ISBN   978-0-9835136-6-7.
  14. ↑ Ullrich, Lowell (June 10, 2003). "Numbers game: Some afraid, very afraid of The Ratio". The Vancouver Province. p. A44.
  15. ↑ "Our Team". MVMTLAB Sports Performance Clinic.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.