Jamal Robertson leads Toronto Argonauts past Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL season opener

Jamal Robertson

By Tim Glon

| Toronto Argonauts web site | Jamal Robertson bio |

HAMILTON, Ontario — Former Ohio Northern All-American Jamal Robertson rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown, leading the Toronto Argonauts to a 30-17 victory at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2009 Canadian Football League season opener Thursday evening at Igor Wynn Stadium.

Robertson also caught three passes for 53 yards, giving him 177 all-purpose yards in the contest.

He is in his second season as a starting running back with the Argonauts. His backup on the 39-man roster is Jarrett Payton of Miami (Fla.), who is the son of the late NFL Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.

Robertson is Ohio Northern's all-time career leader in rushing yards (4,169), touchdowns (56) and points scored (338) from 1997-2000.

He helped guide ONU to its first two NCAA III Playoff appearances in 1999 and 2000. The 1999 squad set a school record with an 11-2 record, including playoff victories at No. 7-ranked Hanover (Ind.) 56-14 and at No. 4-ranked Wittenberg 58-24.

The Dayton native also set an ONU single-game record with 401 all-purpose yards, including 307 rushing yards, in a 68-27 victory over Marietta in the 2000 regular season finale.

He is one of three former Ohio Northern All-Americans currently under contract with professional teams.

Linebacker Jason Trusnik is in his third season the New York Jets of the NFL and kicker J.R. Cipra is in his first season with the Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football League.

Robertson spent five seasons in the National Football League from 2002-06, playing for the San Francisco 49ers, the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons.

He signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in May of 2008 and was traded to Toronto on June 5, 2008.

In 2002, he played with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, where he was named the league's Offensive MVP.

Robertson spent the 2001 season as a member of the practice squad of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.