CFL.ca
CFL.ca Staff
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced today that international tailback Will Ford has been released.
Ford spent the past two seasons with the Blue Bombers, but broke out during his second season in 2013. He concluded last season with 113 rushes for 594 yards and two touchdowns. His 70-yard run in an October game at Calgary was the second longest scamper by a running back last season.
That game was also Ford’s best at the running back position, carrying the ball 14 times for 156 yards. Ford also hauled in seven receptions for 41 yards, and one touchdown during the 2013 campaign.
Through two seasons, he has rushed for 727 yards, a 5.3 yard average, and five touchdowns.
But a hamstring injury during training camp opened the door for others to showcase their skills in Winnipeg’s backfield in 2014, most notably Nic Grigsby, who has been stellar so far for the Bombers.
In three games this season – all wins – Grigsby has carried the ball 41 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also hauled in eight receptions for 92 yards.
Ford was also a force on special teams last season, earning the Bombers nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Twice in 2013 Ford was named CFL Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 11 & 15) for his dynamic returning abilities.
During the Week 11 Banjo Bowl, Ford ran back a kickoff 98 yards for a major, then followed that up four weeks later by returning another kickoff 100 yards to the end zone in Calgary.
Ford’s two kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2013 made him just the second player in franchise history, and seventh in league history, to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season.
