CFL Toronto Argonauts

Canadian-born NFL veteran signs on with Argonauts

May 18, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Mississauga – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that White Rock, BC born Riall Johnson has inked a contract with the team. The 260 pound Johnson played three seasons with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals before signing as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.

Greg Mohns, Argonauts Director, Player Personnel, was enthusiastic about the signing: "We are extremely excited about Riall Johnson becoming a member of the Argonauts. He's a natural pass rusher with excellent quickness off the edge. He can dominate a game with his pass rush skills. To be able to get a player of Riall's calibre, who qualifies as a non-import, it immediately enhances and impacts our Canadian content."

Johnson, who was born in White Rock, BC, attended Stanford University and was recognized as a PAC-10 star. He led the PAC-10 in quarterback sacks as a junior and a senior. The dominant end finished his senior season with 15 sacks, tied with North Carolina's Julius Peppers for first in the USA. Johnson was later drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent three seasons with Cincinnati before being released.

Riall Johnson

Defensive End

6'3'', 260 lbs.

Stanford

Born: April 20, 1978

White Rock, B.C.

Non-Import

Acquired: Signed as a free agent by the Toronto Argonauts on May 18, 2005.

2004: Signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals (NFL) on April 1...Released by Arizona as a final cut on August 31...Rights acquired by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2004 CFL Supplemental Draft when the Argonauts forfeited their third round pick in the 2005 CFL Canadian Draft. The Argonauts third round pick in the 2005 CFL Canadian Draft was originally acquired from Winnipeg in exchange for QB Kevin Glenn.

2003: Had 14 tackles in 13 games with the Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)...Started at Linebacker in the season finale verses Cleveland and registered a season-high six tackles ...Came off the bench against Baltimore (Dec. 7) and collected four tackles from scrimmage...Had 2 tackles in each of the remaining 4 games of the season...Missed 3 games with a calf strain.

2002: Played in 12 games for Cincinnati, registering 4 tackles...Played 5 games for the Amsterdam Admirals (NFLE)...Practiced with the Barcelona Dragons (NFLE), but did not dress for any games.

2001: Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) in the sixth round (168th Overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft...Played in seven games as a rookie with Cincinnati and registered 3 tackles...Waived by Cincinnati on October 27...Re-Signed with Cincinnati on October 29...Recovered a crucial onside kick against Pittsburgh (Dec 30) with 3:46 remaining to help set up the tying score.

College 2000: Led PAC-10 in sacks for second straight year becoming first Canadian to ever accomplish that feat...Named PAC-10 Player of the Week for play vs Texas...Finished first in the nation in QB sacks (15), tied with North Carolina's Julius Peppers 1999: Named Second-Team All-Pac-10 after recording 42 tackles and 13 QB sacks...Tied for Pac-10 Conference Lead in sacks...Sixth in conference in tackles-for-loss with 17...played in Rose Bowl...1998: Named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week...among the league-leaders in tackles-for-loss with 12 and quarterback sacks with 6...Had 38 total tackles and one recovered fumble...Started the first 10 games...1997: Accounted for 11 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one quarterback sack and one fumble recovery in limited action with the Cardinals...1996: Redshirt freshman.

Personal: Currently resides in Lynwood, Washington after moving from White Rock, BC...Majored in Sociology at Stanford...Brother of Current Stanford Cardinal Teyo Johnson...Younger brother of Ahmani, who played football at Oregon State...Nephew of former Baltimore Oriole Glen McRae...attended Mariner High School (in Washington) and considered a USA top prospect upon graduation.

The 2004 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, having celebrated their 130th anniversary in 2003. The Toronto Argonauts have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit. To purchase 2005 season tickets and mini-paks or to get more information about ticket packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. For individual game tickets, please call (416) 872-5000. Full roster details are available at www.argonauts.ca.

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