Roughriders sign returner Mario Alford to contract extension

REGINA - Mario Alford will remain a part of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The team has extended the seasoned receiver/returner's contract for another year, as officially announced on Thursday. Alford was due to hit the free agency market next month. Standing five foot nine and weighing 182 pounds, he brought back 88 punts for a total of 978 yards and scored three touchdowns in the previous season, equaling the Roughriders' single-season record for return points. In addition, he made 51 kickoff returns for 1,181 yards, securing the third position overall in all-purpose yards, with 2,266. In 2022, Alford earned the accolade of being the top special teams player in the CFL when he set a new single-season record for Saskatchewan for the maximum return touchdowns, with four to his name. Alford first joined the Roughriders on July 3, 2022, following a trade deal with the Montreal Alouettes. His CFL career originated with Toronto in 2018, but he was let out the subsequent season and ended up with the Als later that year. This news piece by The Canadian Press was primarily published on Jan. 4, 2024.