Music: {allcanada} ESKIMOS RELEASE NINE-YEAR VETERAN FB BERTRAND

Friday, March 1, 2013

{allcanada} ESKIMOS RELEASE NINE-YEAR VETERAN FB BERTRAND

EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Eskimos released veteran fullback Mathieu Bertrand on Friday.

Bertrand, 35, a native of Chambly, Que., spent nine seasons with Edmonton, playing mostly on special teams. The former Laval quarterback rushed for 119 yards on 51 carries and scored seven TDs while adding 116 catches for 912 yards and three TDs.

Bertrand was selected in fifth round, 44th overall, by Edmonton in the 2003 CFL draft but returned to Laval after being released during training camp, He re-signed with the Eskimos in January 2004.

The six-foot-three, 245-pound Bertrand was Edmonton's top rookie in 2004 and named a CFLPA all-star in 2008 and '09. Last season, he received the David Boone Award in honour of his community service.

"Mathieu is an outstanding player who had a stellar career with the team," Eskimos coach Kavis Reed said in a statement. "He personifies what we mean when we say the 'Eskimo Way.'

"We wish him the very best in future."