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MUSKEGON, MI – All Kalil Pimpleton needs is one play to showcase his elite speed and agility on the football field.
The former Muskegon Big Red and Central Michigan University standout earned training camp invites from the Detroit Lions and New York Giants during the 2022 season but ultimately didn’t make either team’s 53-man final roster.
The 5-foot-7 electrifying playmaker continued to work on his craft, however, and landed a training camp spot with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League earlier this spring.
Pimpleton made his CFL debut on Sunday and immediately made an impact, as he hauled in a pass from quarterback Dru Brown on a quick slant, turned upfield and showcased his impressive breakaway speed for a 70-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter of Ottawa’s thrilling 37-34 road win over the Edmonton Elks.
The Muskegon native finished with four receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown. The 2021 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year also added a 14-yard kickoff return for Ottawa in his first regular season game in the CFL.
The Redblacks lost starting wideout Bralon Addison to an Achilles tendon strain last week, which opened up a roster spot for Pimpleton, who had already impressed the Ottawa coaching staff during his time at training camp.
The Redblacks weren’t able to keep the speedy playmaker on their initial roster due to the CFL’s roster restraints on American-born players but kept Pimpleton on their practice squad before promoting him to the active roster earlier this week.
Pimpleton gave the Redblacks (3-2) a much-needed offensive spark after a 25-16 loss to Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 5, as Ottawa finished Sunday’s contest with 520 yards of total offense, including 480 yards passing and two touchdowns from Brown.
Brown added another highlight-reel passing play early in the fourth quarter when he connected with wideout Justin Hardy for a 68-yard touchdown pass that gave the Redblacks a 28-19 lead over Edmonton.
Hardy finished with five receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown, while Dominique Rhymes added seven receptions for 131 yards and Ryquell Armstead added 40 yards rushing on 14 carries and caught four passes for 31 yards.
Edmonton battled back in the final frame of Sunday’s contest, as they scored on back-to-back possessions to tie the game at 34-34 with eight seconds remaining in regulation. The Elks kicked the ball out of bounds on the ensuing kickoff attempt, however, which gave the Redblacks the ball at midfield.
Brown connected with Pimpleton for a 29-yard reception to put Ottawa in field goal range and kicker Lewis Ward booted a 37-yard field goal to clinch the walk-off road win for the Redblacks.
Ottawa (3-2) will host Edmonton (0-5) for a rematch on July 19, followed by another home contest against the Calgary Stampeders (2-3) on July 26.
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RELATED: Muskegon native Kalil Pimpleton realizes NFL dream with Detroit Lions
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