Former CFL, Cornhuskers RB Diedrick dies at 44

MONTREAL — Dahrran Diedrick, the Canadian operating again who starred at Nebraska and received three Gray Cup titles in a 10-year Canadian Soccer League profession, died Saturday after combating most cancers. He was 44.

The Montreal Alouettes, the crew Diedrick helped win two Gray Cups, confirmed the loss of life by way of his household. Former quarterback Anthony Calvillo, presently the crew’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was a teammate of Diedrick’s for eight seasons in Montreal.

“I received two championships with Dahrran, and he was a vital piece of our crew,” Calvillo stated in a press release. “He was at all times in an excellent temper and obtained together with everybody in our dressing room. He leaves us far too younger.”

Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto, the 6-foot, 225-pound Diedrick was the primary Nebraska recruit from Canada to play for the Cornhuskers. In 2001, he began for Nebraska, dashing for a Huge 12-leading 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Diedrick helped Nebraska attain the nationwide championship recreation on the 2002 Rose Bowl, a 37-14 loss to Miami. He completed his school profession with 2,745 yards dashing on 502 carries with 26 touchdowns.

“It is actually unhappy,” former Nebraska coach Frank Solich stated. “Nice child. Big coronary heart in the whole lot he did. I loved being round him, I loved teaching him and I believe the gamers loved being round him. He was a warrior.

“The proper I-back to have a fullback in entrance of you. You might run I-formation all day lengthy with that mixture. He was a real I-formation tailback. He’d provide you with the whole lot he had.”

Edmonton chosen Diedrick within the third spherical of the 2002 CFL draft, however he opted to return to highschool earlier than signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent the next 12 months. He additionally had stints with Green Bay and Washingtontaking part in his lone NFL recreation in 2004 with Washington.

We’re saddened to be taught of the passing of former Alouettes operating again Dahrran Diedrick.

Our deepest condolences exit to Dahrran’s household, associates and former teammates: https://t.co/OQ2b3ruACb pic.twitter.com/PgMripgH9G

— Montreal Alouettes (@MTLAlouettes) June 24, 2023

“Our ideas and prayers are with the chums, household, and former coaches and teammates of Dahrran Diedrick throughout this tough time,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie tweeted. “One other life tragically lower quick by most cancers.”

He joined Edmonton in 2005, incomes his first Gray Cup that 12 months. Diedrick was then acquired by Montreal, the place he performed from 2006 to 2013, successful Gray Cups in 2009 and 2010. Following a stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2013, he returned to the Alouettes for his closing season in 2014.

Throughout the 2014 season Diedrick was recognized with hepatosplenic gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma, a uncommon however very aggressive type of the illness. He retired on the finish of the season and served as energy coach in 2017 with the Toronto Argonauts, incomes a fourth Gray Cup ring that season.

Diedrick ran for 872 yards on 179 carries over 130 CFL regular-season video games with six touchdowns.

“Dahrran was an excellent good friend of mine within the locker room and we stored in contact after our careers,” stated Eric Deslauriers, Montreal’s senior director of soccer operations. “I bear in mind a really bodily participant when he had the ball, nobody might take it away from him.”