The B.C. Lions released defensive back Duke Dawson on Tuesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Duke Dawson is five foot ten and weighs 198 pounds. The 28-year-old from Cross City, Florida, was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (56th pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was injured in 2018 when the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII and was later traded to the Denver Broncos.
He played two seasons in Denver making 27 tackles (17 solo, 10 assists), two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in four games. After Denver, Dawson signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2021 but he injured his groin and was later released.
Then, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Dawson as a free agent on October 12, 2022, and was placed on the practice squad. Dawson made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and one pass breakup in one preseason game for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. After Pittsburgh, Dawson signed with the B.C. Lions on February 20, 2024.
Collegiately, Dawson played four seasons at Florida (2014-17) making 82 tackles (56 solo, 26 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions for 127 yards, three touchdowns, and two forced fumbles in 48 games for the Gators. He was named First Team All-SEC in 2017.
