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Nereo Bolzon
View on WikipediaNereo Bolzon (born July 27, 1960) is a Canadian former professional football linebacker who played one season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was a territorial exemption of the Eskimos in the 1982 CFL draft. He played college football at the University of Alberta.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Nereo Bolzon was born on July 27, 1960, in Edmonton.[1][2] He played high school football at Bonnie Doon Composite High School in Bonnie Doon, Edmonton.[3]
Bolzon played college football for the Alberta Golden Bears of the University of Alberta from 1979 to 1981 and was a starting linebacker.[1][3] He helped Alberta win the Western Intercollegiate Football League (WIFL) title all three years he was with the team, including a victory in the 16th Vanier Cup in 1980.[3] Bolzon earned first-team All-WIFL honors in 1981.[3]
Professional career
[edit]Bolzon was a territorial exemption of the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1982 CFL draft.[4] He officially signed with the team on May 5, 1982.[3] During training camp, he competed with Bill Manchuk for the Eskimos' backup linebacker position.[5][6] However, they both ended up making the team.[6] The Edmonton Journal noted that "the muscular 21-year-old Bolzon — a crushing tackler whose bodybuilder's physique is a reasonable facsimile of veteran Tom Towns' — seems destined for a future starting spot."[6] He played in seven games for the Eskimos during the 1982 season, mostly on special teams, and returned one kickoff for 16 yards.[1][7] He was placed on the injured list on September 1, 1982.[8] Bolzon remained on the injured list as the Eskimos won the 70th Grey Cup against the Toronto Argonauts on November 28, 1982.[9][10] After the retirement of Manchuk, Bolzon was poised to be the Eskimos top backup linebacker but ended up missing the entire 1983 season after undergoing knee surgery during the preseason.[7][11]
On June 13, 1984, Bolzon was traded to the Montreal Concordes for future considerations, contingent on if he made the regular season roster.[12] However, on June 26 before the start of the season, it was reported that Bolzon had been released.[13][14]
Bolzon was signed to a 21-day trial by the Calgary Stampeders on July 9, 1984.[15][16] He did not play in any games for the team.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "NEREO BOLZON". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Nereo Bolzon". Stats Crew. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Cole, Cam (May 5, 1982). "Bolzon, Getty among four Eskimo signings". Edmonton Journal. pp. G2. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "1982 CFL Draft Archives". CFL.ca. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Cowley, Norm (June 9, 1982). "Rookie challenges Manchuk". Edmonton Journal. pp. E3. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Newcomers". Edmonton Journal. July 16, 1982. pp. E9. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ a b Cole, Cam (June 1, 1983). "Bolzon waits in the wings for place in the limelight". Edmonton Journal. pp. D1. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Knack, Marty (September 2, 1982). "Eskimos let Cole slip away". Edmonton Journal. pp. F1. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Cole, Cam (November 24, 1982). "Lid slams on Esks' game plan". Edmonton Journal. pp. G1. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "1982 Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Cole, Cam (September 29, 1983). "Esk 'non-import' suddenly auditioning as a linebacker". Edmonton Journal. pp. F1. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Bacon, Dick (June 14, 1984). "Concordes deal for linebacker chop receiver". The Gazette. pp. G5. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Sports Transactions". Niagara Falls Review. June 26, 1984. p. 13. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "1984 Montreal Concordes (CFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Maki, Allan (July 7, 1984). "Pressure builds for the Riders". Calgary Herald. pp. C2. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Maki, Allan (July 9, 1984). "Rider players quick to join great debate". Calgary Herald. pp. C3. Retrieved 6 May 2025.