Nebraska and CFL running back Darlan Diedrick dies of cancer at age 44 MONTREAL (AP) MONTREAL (AP) – Canadian running back Darlan Diedrick plays for Nebraska.
He won three games for the Grays during his 10-year career in the Canadian Football League.
The title winner passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer.
He was 44 years old.
Diedrick’s two-time Gray Cup champion team, the Montreal Alouettes, confirmed his death through his family.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who is currently the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was teammates with Diedricks for eight seasons in Montreal.
“I won two championships with Dahlan.
He was a very important part of our team,” Calvillo said in a statement.
“He was always in a good mood and got along with everyone in the dressing room.
He left us all too young.
” Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto, Diedrick lived in Nebraska.
He was the first Canadian scholarship player to play in the United States.
In 2001, he started for the Cornhuskers and rushed for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns in the Big 12.
Diedrick helped Nebraska reach the national championship game in the 2002 Rose Bowl, losing 37-14 to Miami.
He finished his collegiate career with 502 carries, 2,745 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns.
“It’s really sad,” former University of Nebraska coach Frank Solich said.
“He’s a good kid, he had a big heart in everything he did.
I enjoyed being with him, I enjoyed coaching him, and I think the players enjoyed being with him as well.
he was a warrior “His I-Back is perfect for putting a fullback in front of you.
With this combination, you can run in the I-formation all day long.
He was just an I-formation tailback.
Edmonton selected Diedrick in the third round of the 2002 CFL Draft, but he chose to return to school before signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent the following year.
He also had stints with Green Bay and Washington, appearing in his only NFL game with Washington in 2004.
He came to Edmonton in his 2005 and won his first Gray Cup that year.
Diedrick was then acquired by Montreal, where he played from 2006 to 2013, winning Gray Cups in 2009 and 2010.
He played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2013 before returning to the Alouettes for his final season in 2014.
During the 2014 season, Diedrick was diagnosed with hepatosplenic gamma delta T-cell lymphoma.
This is a rare but highly aggressive disease.
He retired at the end of the season and served as the strength coach for the Toronto Argonauts in 2017, winning his fourth Gray Cup ring that season.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Darlan Diedrick’s friends, family, and former coaches and teammates during this difficult time,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie tweeted.
“Cancer tragically shortened my life by another point.
” Diedrick rushed for 872 yards and six touchdowns on 179 carries in 130 CFL regular season games.
“Dahlan was a very good friend in the locker room and we stayed in touch after his career,” said Eric Deslauriers, Montreal’s senior director of soccer operations.
“I remember when a very physical player had the ball, no one could take it from him.
“
