Chris Edwards (Canadian football)

Chris Edwards
Edwards with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021
Born: (1992-12-23) December 23, 1992 (age 31)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)Defensive back
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight217 lb (98 kg)
CollegeIdaho
Butte
Grand Rapids
High schoolSouthfield High
Career history
As player
2016Oakland Raiders*
2017–2018Edmonton Eskimos
2019BC Lions
2020San Francisco 49ers
2021–2022Toronto Argonauts
2023Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star2021
CFL East All-Star2021
Career stats

Christopher Edwards (born December 23, 1992) is an American former professional football defensive back who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

College career

Edwards first played college football for the Grand Rapids Raiders in 2011 where the team finished with an 11–0 record.[1] After Grand Rapids cancelled their football program, he transferred to Butte College in 2012 where the team finished 12–0.[1] He then transferred again to play for the Idaho Vandals where he completed his junior and senior years in 2014 and 2015, respectively.[1][2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1+1⁄8 in
(1.86 m) 		218 lb
(99 kg) 		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.54 s 1.53 s 2.59 s 4.32 s 6.86 s 37.5 in
(0.95 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
All values from Pro Day[3]

Oakland Raiders

After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, Edwards signed with the Oakland Raiders on May 16, 2016.[2][4] However, he was released at the end of training camp on August 29, 2016.[2]

Edmonton Eskimos

Edwards with the BC Lions in 2019

After sitting out the 2016 season, Edwards signed with the Edmonton Eskimos on January 30, 2017.[5] He made his regular season debut on June 24, 2021 against the BC Lions. He played in 17 games where he had 14 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, and one interception.[4] He returned his lone interception for a 73-yard touchdown after picking off the Montreal Alouettes' Drew Willy on October 9, 2017 in the Thanksgiving Day Classic.[6]

In his second season with the Eskimos, Edwards played in all 18 regular season games where he had 46 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.[4] He became a free agent on February 12, 2019.[7]

BC Lions

On the first day of CFL free agency, on February 12, 2019, Edwards signed with the BC Lions to a one-year contract.[8] He played in 18 regular season games with the Lions and recorded 50 defensive tackles, one interception, and two forced fumbles. He also recorded his first career sack on July 6, 2019, when he tackled McLeod Bethel-Thompson of the Toronto Argonauts.[4] In the offseason, he was granted an early release on January 7, 2020, to pursue National Football League interests.[9]

San Francisco 49ers

Edwards with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023

On January 9, 2020, Edwards signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[10] He was promoted to the active roster for the November 29, 2020 game against the Los Angeles Rams.[11] He was released during the following off-season on May 4, 2021.[12]

Toronto Argonauts

On June 2, 2021, it was announced that Edwards had signed with the Toronto Argonauts.[11] In his fourth year in the league, Edwards played in all 14 regular season games for the Argos, contributing with 37 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, three sacks, three interceptions, and two touchdowns. He was named a CFL All-Star for the first time in his career.[13] Edwards was suspended by the Canadian Football League for six games in the 2022 season following a fan altercation after the Argos were eliminated from the playoffs by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[14] In early July 2022 the CFL and CFLPA announced that Edwards' suspension had been reduced from six games to three games.[15]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On February 17, 2023, Edwards signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[16]

On February 12, 2024, he announced that he had retired from professional football.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chris Edwards". Idaho Vandals. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "2020 Media Guide" (PDF). San Francisco 49ers. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Scout Chris Edwards College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Chris Edwards". Toronto Argonauts. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Edmonton Eskimos vs Montreal Alouettes". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  7. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "International DB Chris Edwards Signs With Lions". BC Lions. February 12, 2019.
  9. ^ "Lions Release Chris Edwards To Pursue NFL Opportunities". BC Lions. January 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "49ers sign CFL DB Chris Edwards to reserve/futures contract". 49erswebzone.com. January 9, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Argos sign DB Chris Edwards". Toronto Argonauts. June 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "49ers Waive Three Players". San Francisco 49ers. May 4, 2021. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  13. ^ "Stars Aligned: 2021 CFL All-Stars announced". CFL.ca. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  14. ^ TSN ca Staff (December 22, 2021). "Argos' Bethel-Thompson fined; Edwards handed six-game ban - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  15. ^ TSN ca Staff (July 5, 2022). "CFL confirms reduced suspension for Argos' Edwards - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  16. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Hodge, John (February 12, 2024). "Controversial defender Chris Edwards retires from CFL". 3DownNation. Retrieved February 14, 2024.