The Ottawa Redblacks and defensive back Abdul Kanneh agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2023 season on Thursday. The 32-year-old from London, England, made 37 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 12 games for Ottawa in 2022.
This will be Kanneh’s third season in his second stint with Ottawa. The Cleveland Browns signed Kanneh as an undrafted free agent in 2013 before being released. In 2014, Kanneh signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. He played three seasons with 140 tackles, three sacks, 12 interceptions, and five forced fumbles in 43 games.
He was part of the Redblacks’ 2016 Grey Cup championship team and was selected as a two-time CFL East All-Star (2015-16), and a CFL All-Star in 2015.
In 2017, Kanneh signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He made 17 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in seven games. Then, the Ticats traded Kanneh to the Toronto Argonauts in 2018. He played two seasons in Toronto with 95 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 24 games.
In 2021, Kanneh returned to Ottawa for his second stint. In two seasons, he has 65 tackles, five interceptions, one touchdown, and one forced fumble in 20 games.
Collegiately, Kanneh played two seasons at New Mexico Highlands (2011-12) with 107 tackles, nine interceptions, four touchdowns, 32 pass breakups, one sack, 21 kick returns for 425 yards, one touchdown, and 13 punt returns for 215 yards in 22 games for the Cowboys.
Kanneh won numerous awards including the 2012 All-RMAC First Team defense, the 2012 NCAA Division II Daktronics All-Super Region Four First Team defense, the 2012 NCAA Division II BSN All-American First Team defense, and the 2012 NCAA Division II Daktronics All-American First Team defense. He attended the 2013 NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl Game.
