LeBlanc becomes 50th McGill player in CFL

Published on August 5, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release

MONTREAL ­- The Edmonton Eskimos (5-1) have activated former McGill all-star slotback Robert LeBlanc from the practice roster for tonight¹s CFL game against the B.C. Lions (5-0) at B.C. Place Stadium.

LeBlanc, a 21-year-old Vancouver native who graduated this year with a commerce degree, is scheduled to play in front of his family and friends tonight, When he dons jersey No. 3, he will become the fifth McGill player to dress for a CFL game this season, joining Saskatchewan linebacker Mike Mahoney, Ottawa Renegades offensive linemen Val St. Germain and Samir Chahine, plus Randy Chevrier, a defensive lineman and long snapper with the Calgary Stampeders.

LeBlanc also becomes the 50th McGill player to dress for a CFL game, joining a list which includes Jean-Philippe Darche, a former member of the Toronto Argonauts, who is about to enter his sixth season with the NFL¹s the Seattle Seahawks.

LeBlanc, the youngest player selected in the 2005 CFL draft, was a fifth-round pick by Edmonton, 40th overall. A two-time all-star in the Quebec University Football League, the 6-foot-3, 191-pound receiver finished second among the league¹s reception leaders last season, despite playing with a broken thumb. In eight regular-season contests, he snared 30 passes for 486 yards, a 16.5 average per catch, and four touchdowns. In 29 regular season games over his four years at McGill, LeBlanc caught 114 passes for 1,640 yards, a 13.7 average and eight TDs. In five playoff games, he added another 17 receptions for 211 yards and one TD.

In 2003, LeBlanc was the Quebec conference nominee for the Russ Jackson trophy, awarded annually to the player who best combines football with academics and community service. He is a four-time Academic All-Canadian and honouree on the Principal¹s student-athlete honour roll.

LeBlanc enrolled at McGill in 2001, made the Redmen as a 17-year-old out of Vancouver College and quickly landed a starting role. In 2002, he and his brother V.J., had the unique distinction of being the first set of brothers in McGill history to earn all-conference and Academic All-Canadian status in the same season.

Canadian Football League Stories from August 5, 2005

• LeBlanc becomes 50th McGill player in CFL - CFL
• Crysdale's streak comes to an end - Calgary Stampeders

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.