Top 25 Montreal Sports Moments Of 2014: 20-16
By Jared Book
Oct 19, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle David Foucault (63) blocks Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
16. David Foucault + Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Make Jump From CIS to NFL
Football in Quebec has grown incrementally since the Montreal Alouettes made their return to the Canadian Football League in 1996. Much like the Toronto Raptors growing basketball in Toronto and Canada, more football players are coming out of Quebec than ever before.
When there were rumblings that Laurent Duvernay-Tardif would be drafted to an NFL team, there was some buzz but there have been Canadians who have made the jump from CIS to the NFL, and it will happen again. He ended up drafted in the sixth round by the Kansas City Chiefs and made the 53-man roster.
When David Foucault went to mini camp with the Carolina Panthers, people thought maybe he would get a spot on the practice roster. When he also made the 53-man roster, it was unprecedented for Quebec football.
Never before have two players gone from the CIS to the NFL in the same year, and they went from facing off at Molson Stadium to a pre-season game between the Chiefs and Panthers.
Foucault, was said to be a project when the Alouettes drafted him in the first round, but in his rookie year in the NFL due to injuries on the Panthers offensive line he started a game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. He ended up playing 127 snaps for the Panthers this season before getting injured.
We’ll have more Montreal football in this countdown both at the professional and college levels but this year will be remembered for the unprecedented jump made by two offensive lineman.
-Jared Book