Stampeders lose defensive lineman; release receiver Elijah Thurmon
CALGARY (CFL.ca wire) — The Calgary Stampeders announced on Wednesday that veteran defensive lineman Sheldon Napastuk has retired and receiver Elijah Thurmon has been released.
“Sheldon has had a tremendous career showing great durability at a very physical position on the field,” said Stampeders vice president of football operations and head coach Tom Higgins. “He has played a very big role in turning the franchise around, finishing in second place and hosting the Western Semi-Final the past two seasons. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and know his success will follow him away from the football field.”
Napastuk played in 126 regular season CFL games including 70 in a Stampeder uniform and two West Semi-Finals. He was originally drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the third round (25th overall) of the 1996 CFL Canadian Draft. Napastuk attended the 1997 Eskimos training camp and was released by the Eskimos just prior to the start of the regular season.
In 1998, Napastuk attended Hamilton Tiger-Cats training camp and saw action as an offensive lineman. He would be released prior to the start of the regular season and signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a free agent in August, 1999. He was a Roughrider until February 16, 2003 and shortly after signed with the Stampeders on February 25, 2003 as a free agent.
Thurmon joined the Stampeders on March 27, 2006 as a free agent. This past season he recorded 57 receptions for 728 yards and five touchdowns. Before joining the Stampeders, Thurmon spent two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He also spent time on the practice roster for the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles after attending Howard University.
