By 3Down Staff – June 24, 2023
Long-time CFL fullback Dahrran Diedrick passed away overnight at Toronto General Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was just 44.
The Scarborough native played 10 seasons in the CFL, eight of which came as a member of the Montreal Alouettes. He won three Grey Cups over the course of his career, including back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
The six-foot, 225-pound back was the first Canadian scholarship recruit to play for the University of Nebraska, setting new heights for Canadian backs south of the border. He finished his collegiate career with 502 carries for 2,745 yards and 26 touchdowns, including a junior season in 2001 in which he led the Big 12 with 1,299 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Diedrick was drafted in the third round of the 2002 CFL Draft by Edmonton but returned to school, before signing with the San Diego Charger as an undrafted free agent the following year. He also had stints with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders, playing a single NFL game in 2004.
After a brief stint with Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, the Canadian workhorse finally arrived in the CFL in 2005, winning a Grey Cup with Edmonton his first year. He was acquired by the Alouettes in 2006 and soon became a fixture with the franchise. In 130 career CFL games, Diedrick carried 179 times for 872 yards and six touchdowns while adding 13 receptions for 81 yards and 47 total tackles.
The veteran fullback was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2013, but returned to Montreal the following year. He retired in 2014 after being diagnosed with hepatosplenic gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma, but later served as strength and conditioning coach of the Toronto Argonauts in 2017, winning another Grey Cup.
VIA: https://3downnation.com/2023/06/24/long-time-alouettes-fullback-former-nebraska-star-dahrran-diedrick-passes-away-at-44/
Photo courtesy: Peter McCabe/CFL
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