Joe Montford

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Joe Montford (b. July 30, 1970 in Beaufort, North Carolina), is a Canadian and American football defensive end. Montford was released by the Edmonton Eskimos prior to the 2006 season after playing one year with the team. He has also played with the Shreveport Pirates (4 games in his first year in the CFL), the Toronto Argonauts, the Charlotte Rage of the Arena Football League and, most famously, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

From 1989 to 1993, Montford attended South Carolina State University, leading the school in tackles in 1993.

Considered by many commentators as one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the Canadian Football League, Montford was a four-time CFL sack leader, three time winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award, five-time East Division All-Star, and five-time CFL All-Star.

Montford enjoyed his best seasons as a Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the key player in the team's defensive front seven. Montford was the Tiger-Cats' all-time leader in tackles until former teammate and linebacker Rob Hitchcock broke the record while Montford was with the Eskimos. In 1999, Montford came within half a sack of Hall-of-Famer James Parker's single season record of 26.5, but missed out on defensive player of the year honours to teammate Calvin Tiggle as Hamilton, with Most Outstanding Player Danny McManus also on the team, took the 87th Grey Cup 32-21.

Montford signed a high-priced deal with Toronto for the 2002 CFL season, but he failed to bring his old self to Toronto and struggled on a mediocre Argonauts team. This led to the team trading Montford back to Hamilton for speedy receiver Michael Palmer on March 13, 2003. Montford played 2003 and 2004 back with Hamilton, as the team slid down the East Division standings.

After the 2004 season, Montford was traded to Edmonton for offensive lineman Dan Comiskey (who the Eskimos later re-acquired in the Troy Davis trade). Montford played the 2005 season with Edmonton, and helped the team take the 93rd Grey Cup. In the championship game, it was Montford who chased Montréal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo out of the pocket on third-and-thirty-one and forced him to attempt a quick kick punt on the last play of overtime.

On Wednesday, April 27, 2006, Montford was released from the Eskimos[1].

On Monday, July 3, 2006, Montford was resigned by the Eskimos[2].