ERIE, Pa. - Former Gannon football standout Ronald Keels (Tonawanda, N.Y./Cardinal O’Hara) has signed a professional contract with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders and will initially begin his career as a member of the practice squad.
Keels is one of six players listed on the practice squad. Calgary’s current roster and practice squad can be accessed at
http://www.stampeders.com/team/player_roster.
Calgary has opened the 2010 regular season with a 30-16 home victory against Toronto (July 1) and 23-22 road win at Hamilton (July 10). The Stampeders were 2-0 during the preseason, posting victories over Edmonton (23-21) and Saskatchewan (41-17). The organization has won six Grey Cup championships, including its latest in 2008.
Keels was a four-year letterwinner (2004-07) at Gannon. The multifaceted player originally came to Gannon as a defensive back, where he played during his first two seasons. He then switched to the offensive side of the ball and played wide receiver during his final two campaigns. In addition, he concluded his collegiate career as one of the best kickoff and punt returners in school history.
The Tonawanda, N.Y., native is Gannon’s all-time leader in kickoff return yardage (1,480) and kickoffs returned (77). Keels also ranks ninth all-time in all-purpose yards (2,224). His 88-yard kickoff return against Northern Michigan in 2006 remains the longest kickoff return in school history. He produced a 63-yard punt return against Northern Michigan one year earlier, representing the fourth longest in school history.
Defensively, Keels recorded 85 tackles and 18 passes defended during his time at Gannon. The all-purpose player also had 36 rushing yards, 561 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns and 42 points. Keels returned 12 punts for 105 yards and one touchdown, averaging 8.8 yards per return. He averaged 19.2 yards per kickoff return.
Fans can follow Keels and the Calgary Stampeders online at
http://www.stampeders.com. Meanwhile, the Gannon football team opens its season Thursday, September 2 against Lake Erie at Gannon University Field. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Head coach Jim Kiernan’s squad finished the 2009 season with four consecutive victories, recording its first winning season since 2003 by knocking off 19th-ranked Bloomsburg in the season finale. The Golden Knights concluded the campaign with a 6-5 record.