The 10 years of Ottawa REDBLACKS history have produced many highlights, celebrations, and memorable moments. For the fans, the players on the field have become idols, important figures in the community, and in some cases, close friends.
In celebration of the REDBLACKS’ All-Decade game on August 24th, members of the media were given the opportunity to vote on who they believed earned a spot on the All-Decade Team, and now, you’ll find out who made the list. This time, it’s receivers.
Greg Ellingson
Greg Ellingson was only a REDBLACK for four seasons between 2015 and 2018, but he certainly made his short stay memorable. In each season in Ottawa, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark, compiling 4,866 yards in total, and scoring 30 receiving touchdowns.
His REDBLACKS tenure still stands tall in the franchise’s history books. He has the second most career receiving yards and receptions in team history, and tops the board in single-season receiving yards, with 1,459. He also holds the third-best mark in the category.
The numbers write a glowing review for Ellingson themselves, but the moments speak so much louder for the Tampa, Florida native. He created an Ottawa legacy, catching the ball and scoring a touchdown in what became “The Miracle on Bank Street,” and helping the city to their first Grey Cup championship in 40 years.
Brad Sinopoli
The second half of the friendship known as “The Buds,” Brad Sinopoli was an obvious choice for the REDBLACKS’ All-Decade squad. A quarterback with the University of Ottawa, the Peterborough native joined the team in 2015, and provided a sure set of hands until his retirement ahead of the 2021 season.
Where Ellingson’s name appears in the record books, you’re almost certainly going to see Sinopoli’s appear right there with it. The franchise leader in receiving yards (5,137) also has the most receptions in club history, the most single-season receptions (he’s also tied for third, and owns the fifth spot, as well), and is tied for the most single-game receptions with 11.
With the REDBLACKS, Sinopoli was named an East All-Star three times, winning the Lew Hayman Trophy in 2015, 2017, and 2018, and made the CFL All-Star team in 2018, but the jewel in his crown is the Dick Suderman Trophy he won in 2016, helping Ottawa to the Grey Cup, hauling in a touchdown.
Chris Williams
Chris Williams was only with the REDBLACKS for two seasons, but they were special. Both years yielded more than 1,200 yards receiving for the Fort Worth, Texas native, compiling 15 touchdowns through the air, helping the REDBLACKS to the Grey Cup twice, and capturing his lone ring in 2016, though he was forced to miss the game with an injury.
His 2,460 yards are good for third all-time in REDBLACKS’ franchise history, and he appeared on the East All-Star roster in both 2015 and 2016. Williams averaged 82 yards per game in his 30-game REDBLACKS tenure.
Diontae Spencer
Much like Williams, Diontae Spencer’s REDBLACKS career only lasted two seasons, but it was something to behold. Both as a receiver and kick returner, Spencer electrified TD Place time and time again, including setting a CFL record for all-purpose yards in a single game on October 27th, 2017, scooping up 496 yards on the night.
In 2017, Spencer came close to surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving mark, but ultimately fell just short, despite his CFL All-Star nomination as a kick returner. In 2018, however, he eclipsed it for the first time in his CFL career, once again being named an East All-Star as a returner.
Since 2018, Spencer hasn’t suited up in the CFL, playing for a trio of NFL teams. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but saw playing time between 2019 and 2021 with the Denver Broncos. Spencer was most recently with the New York Jets.
Ernest Jackson
Last, but certainly not least, Ernest Jackson spent two incredible seasons in the nation’s capital, and owns perhaps the most iconic moment in franchise history. In overtime of the 104th Grey Cup, Henry Burris dropped back, and fired a laser over the middle of the field, right to Jackson. He bobbled it once, and popped it back up in the air a second time, before finally reeling it in for a touchdown on his third attempt.
Normally a surehanded receiver, Jackson had a tendency to suck up everything thrown his way, becoming a reliable safety blanket for Burris, going for 1,036 yards in 2015, and 1,225 yards in 2016. He sits in third place in REDBLACKS’ all-time receptions, and was named a CFL All-Star in 2016.
Jackson scored 15 touchdown in his REDBLACKS career.
