| No. 36 [1] | |
| Date of birth | July 27, 1960 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | LB |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Canada university | Alberta (1979–1981) |
| High school | Bonnie Doon Composite (Bonnie Doon, Edmonton) |
| CFL draft | 1982 / round: 0 / pick: Territorial exemption |
| Drafted by | Edmonton Eskimos |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1982–1983 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 1984 | Montreal Concordes* |
| 1984 | Calgary Stampeders |
| *Offseason and/or practice roster member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Nereo Bolzon (born July 27, 1960) is a Canadian former professional football linebacker who played one season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was a territorial exemption of the Eskimos in the 1982 CFL draft. He played college football at the University of Alberta.
Nereo Bolzon was born on July 27, 1960, in Edmonton. [1] [2] He played high school football at Bonnie Doon Composite High School in Bonnie Doon, Edmonton. [3]
Bolzon played college football for the Alberta Golden Bears of the University of Alberta from 1979 to 1981 and was a starting linebacker. [1] [3] He helped Alberta win the Western Intercollegiate Football League (WIFL) title all three years he was with the team, including a victory in the 16th Vanier Cup in 1980. [3] Bolzon earned first-team All-WIFL honors in 1981. [3]
Bolzon was a territorial exemption of the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1982 CFL draft. [4] He officially signed with the team on May 5, 1982. [3] During training camp, he competed with Bill Manchuk for the Eskimos' backup linebacker position. [5] [6] However, they both ended up making the team. [6] The Edmonton Journal noted that "the muscular 21-year-old Bolzon — a crushing tackler whose bodybuilder's physique is a reasonable facsimile of veteran Tom Towns' — seems destined for a future starting spot." [6] He played in seven games for the Eskimos during the 1982 season, mostly on special teams, and returned one kickoff for 16 yards. [1] [7] He was placed on the injured list on September 1, 1982. [8] Bolzon remained on the injured list as the Eskimos won the 70th Grey Cup against the Toronto Argonauts on November 28, 1982. [9] [10] After the retirement of Manchuk, Bolzon was poised to be the Eskimos top backup linebacker but ended up missing the entire 1983 season after undergoing knee surgery during the preseason. [7] [11]
On June 13, 1984, Bolzon was traded to the Montreal Concordes for future considerations, contingent on if he made the regular season roster. [12] However, on June 26 before the start of the season, it was reported that Bolzon had been released. [13] [14]
Bolzon was signed to a 21-day trial by the Calgary Stampeders on July 9, 1984. [15] [16] He did not play in any games for the team. [1]