April 2, 2019

Fred Stamps signs one-day contract to retire an Eskimo

CFL.ca

EDMONTON — Four-time CFL All-Star receiver Fred Stamps has signed a one-day contract with Edmonton to officially retire from professional football as a member of the Green and Gold, the Eskimos announced on Tuesday.

“I will always appreciate and carry in my heart my amazing coaches, teammates, Eskimos’ staff and fans,” says Stamps. “Once an Eskimo, Always an Eskimo.”

Stamps returns to The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium for the home opener on June 14 for a pre-game autograph session with fans and a special retirement acknowledgement at halftime. Kickoff is 7 p.m. against the Montreal Alouettes.

In honour of this legend who wore #2, single game tickets for the home opener are on sale now – nearly a month ahead of the rest of the schedule – starting at just $22.22 (plus fees and taxes) in the lower bowl for 222 hours (until April 11 at 8 p.m.).

Stamps originally signed with Edmonton as a free agent in December 2006. In eight seasons (2007-14) with the Green and Gold, he recorded 7,932 yards on 496 catches with 49 touchdowns in 117 games. He twice recorded 200-yard games (July 17, 2010 and Oct. 5, 2012). Stamps led the league in receiving yards in 2009 and 2013.

The native of New Orleans sits third all-time in Eskimos career receptions, second in career receiving yards, tied for second for most receptions in a game (14), and tied for third for most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons with five (2009-13).

Twice named the Eskimos Most Outstanding Player (2009, 2010), Stamps earned CFL West Division All-Star honours five consecutive seasons (2009-13).

He was traded to the Montreal Alouettes in 2015 where he appeared in 16 games, recording 40 receptions for 479 yards and five touchdowns.

“When you think of all-time great Eskimos through the years, Fred Stamps is always included in that list,” said Eskimos General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations Brock Sunderland. “He was a dominating player that other teams were fearful of every time they played the Green and Gold. It’s only right that he signs back where he belongs to retire an Eskimo.”