26 Canadians named to 2013 IFAF World Team

Football Canada is proud to announce the addition of 26 Canadians to the World Team which will take on Team USA in the fourth edition of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) International Bowl. The game takes place February 5 in Austin, Texas.

IFAF World Team alumni include projected 2013 first round NFL draft picks Jesse Williams (Alabama) and Bjoern Werner (Florida State), 2012 1st overall CFL Canadian draft selection Ben Heenan (Saskatchewan Roughriders), as well as current CIS standouts Lindon Gaydosh (Calgary), Matt Sewell (McMaster) and Jérémi Roch (Sherbrooke).

Last February the World Team defeated Team USA 35-29 – the first time that Team USA has been defeated in international (IFAF) competition.

Of the twenty-five Canadians selected to the World Team, 14 helped bring home gold with a 23-17 victory over Team USA at the 2012 IFAF U-19 World Championship while 9 participated in the 2012 International Bowl as either a member of the IFAF World or Development Team.

Among the Canadian contingent are Shaquille Johnson, Jacob LeBlanc and Kevin McGee.

A product of Brampton minor, Johnson was named CIS Rookie of the Year after leading the league (RSEQ) in both receptions (61) and receiving yardage (792), achieving the fourth-highest single-season catch total in Quebec university history. His 61 receptions are a new CIS record for a rookie, eclipsing the previous mark of 57, set in 2002 by current Hamilton Tiger-Cat Andy Fantuz (Western).

Jacob LeBlanc and Kevin McGee suit up for the IFAF World Team to face a familiar foe after representing Canada at the 2012 IFAF U19 World Championship.

McGee earned tournament MVP honors after recording a pair of interceptions in the championship game. He led the tournament with 4 passes defended in addition to 12 tackles, earning him a tournament all-star selection.

After being named AUS Rookie of the Year in 2011, LeBlanc was named to the IFAF World Team last year but was unable to participate due to injury. As an 18-year-old freshman LeBlanc started for the Mounties, recording 30-and-a-half tackles, 9 of which were for a loss, and finished fourth in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference with 5 sacks.

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For additional details including complete rosters please visit, http://internationalbowl.com/.

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