On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and wide receiver/kick returner Mario Alford agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2023 season.
The 30-year-old from Greenville, Georgia, was acquired from the Montreal Alouettes in Week 5 of the 2022 season. He had 44 punt returns for 530 yards, one touchdown, and 38 kick returns for 990 yards, and two touchdowns in 13 games in his first season in Saskatchewan.
Alford began his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2018 with seven catches for 57 yards, one carry for ten yards, five punt returns for seven yards, and eight kick returns for 170 yards in six games.
Then, Alford signed with the Montreal Alouettes in 2019. He had one catch for 14 yards, 26 punt returns for 486 yards, three touchdowns, and 24 kick returns for 477 yards in nine games.
Collegiately, Alford played two seasons at Georgia Military College (2011-12) with 87 carries for 767 yards, ten touchdowns, and ten catches for 122 yards, and one touchdown. Afterward, Alford transferred to West Virginia (2013-14) with 92 catches for 1,497 yards, 13 touchdowns, 37 kick returns for 972 yards, two touchdowns, and three punt returns for -13 yards.
After his collegiate career ended, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him in the seventh round (238th pick) in the 2015 NFL Draft and played one game for them. He also spent time with the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. Alford played three games for the Browns with eight punt returns for 68 yards and eight kick returns for 258 yards.
