Albert Awachie facts for kids
| No. 41 Saskatchewan Roughriders | |
Awachie with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
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| Born: | October 7, 1992 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Fullback |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| University | Toronto |
| CFL Draft | 2017 / Undrafted |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2017–2023 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 2024 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 2024–present | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career stats | |
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Albert Awachie (born October 7, 1992) is a Canadian professional football player. He plays as a fullback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Before turning pro, he played college football for the Toronto Varsity Blues.
Even though he doesn't often carry the ball, Albert is known for being a strong blocker. He's also a key player on special teams, admired for his hard work and bravery by coaches and teammates.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Albert Awachie was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on October 7, 1992. He is the youngest of five children. His parents, Raphael and Florence, moved to Canada from Nigeria. Their hard work taught Albert to be driven and dedicated.
When Albert was in first grade, he moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to live with his mother. He spent his summers back in Toronto with his father. Albert mostly played soccer when he was younger. However, his older brother Martin encouraged him to try football.
Albert played many different positions at Rocky Mountain High School. He even earned special awards as a defensive lineman. After finishing high school, he moved back to Toronto.
College Football Career
Albert played CIS football for the Toronto Varsity Blues from 2013 to 2016. He started as a wide receiver and also played some defensive back. He joined the team as a walk-on, meaning he wasn't offered a scholarship at first.
During his college career, Albert played in 22 games. He caught 14 passes for 145 yards. He also made 22 tackles while playing defense. In 2015, he had a serious knee injury. Doctors told him there was only a 50 percent chance he could play football again. After ten months of hard work and recovery, he returned for his final season. He was third on his team with 13 catches for 134 yards.
Professional Football Journey
Playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
After college, Albert was not chosen in the 2017 CFL draft. However, he signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 26, 2017. He played his first professional game on June 22, 2017, against the Montreal Alouettes.
For his first two years, Albert was a backup fullback. He played in 12 games but did not carry the ball. He moved between the main team and the practice squad. He also helped out on special teams when players were injured. In December 2018, the Roughriders traded their starting fullback, Spencer Moore. This gave Albert a chance to play more.
In the 2019 season, Albert took on a bigger role on special teams. He became a very reliable blocker for the team's offense. That year, the Roughriders ran for over 2,000 yards and scored 26 touchdowns, which was the best in the league. Albert made his first CFL catch in Week 2, a four-yard reception. He got his second catch in Week 16, an eight-yard pass, with his parents watching in Toronto.
On January 31, 2020, Albert signed a new two-year contract with the Roughriders. However, he did not play in 2020 because the 2020 CFL season was canceled. In 2021, Albert played in 12 games. He made five tackles on special teams. In the 2022 season, he played in a career-high 17 games. He caught four passes for 38 yards and made eight special teams tackles. He also forced one fumble. In his last season with the Roughriders, he played in 14 games. He had three catches for 24 yards and one special teams tackle. His contract ended on February 13, 2024, and he became a free agent.
Time with the Toronto Argonauts
On February 13, 2024, Albert signed with the Toronto Argonauts, his hometown team. He played in seven games for the Argonauts. He was released by the team in the middle of the season on August 6, 2024.
Returning to the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Soon after leaving the Argonauts, Albert re-signed with the Roughriders. This happened on August 7, 2024. He was added to the team's roster for their game the very next day.
Images for kids
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Awachie with the Toronto Argonauts in 2024
