Ottawa Redblacks

{{Short description|Canadian professional football team}} {{Use Canadian English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2013}} {{Infobox American football team | name = Ottawa Redblacks | current = 2026 Ottawa Redblacks season | uniform = CFL OTT Jersey.png | uniformsize = 240px | helmet = | logo = Ottawa Redblacks logo.svg | logosize = 204px | founded = 2014 | suspended = | folded = | location = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | field = TD Place | league = Canadian Football League | division = East Division | colours = Red, black, white<ref name="RedblacksProfile">{{cite book|chapter=Ottawa Redblacks Team Information & History|chapter-url=https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Guide-Book.pdf#page=18|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|title=2024 CFL Guide & Record Book|url=https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Guide-Book.pdf|date=June 10, 2024|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Back in Black, Introducing the 2024 REDBLACKS Home Jerseys|url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2024/06/04/introducing-the-2024-redblacks-home-jerseys/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=OttawaRedBlacks.com|date=June 4, 2024|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=New Look: REDBLACKS reveal revamped uniforms for 2024|url=https://www.cfl.ca/new-look-who-dis-redblacks-reveal-new-uniforms/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=CFL.ca|date=June 4, 2024|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><br />{{colour box|#AC1F2D}} {{colour box|#000000}} {{colour box|#FFFFFF}} | nickname = | coach = Ryan Dinwiddie | manager = Ryan Dinwiddie | owner = Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group | league_champ_type = Grey Cup win(s) | no_league_champs= 1 | league_champs = (2016) | mascot = Big Joe/{{lang|fr|cat=no|Grand Jos}} | website = {{official url}} }}

The '''Ottawa Redblacks''' (officially stylized as '''REDBLACKS''')<ref>{{cite news|title=Ottawa officially announces REDBLACKS as team name|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2013/06/07/ottawa-announces-team-name-and-logo/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=CFL.ca|date=June 8, 2013|access-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref> (French: '''{{lang|fr|Rouge et Noir d'Ottawa}}''')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lcf.ca/article/ottawa-devoile-le-nom-de-son-equipe-et-son-logo |title=Le Rouge et Noir voit officiellement le jour à Ottawa |work=Site officiel de la Ligue canadienne de football |publisher=LCF.ca |date=8 June 2013 |access-date=2014-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024084620/http://www.lcf.ca/article/ottawa-devoile-le-nom-de-son-equipe-et-son-logo |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> are a professional Canadian football team based in Ottawa. The team plays in the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Starting play in 2014, the Redblacks are the third CFL team to play in the city of Ottawa. The Ottawa Rough Riders, formed in 1876, were a founding member of the CFL in 1958 and played until 1996. A new Ottawa franchise was formed as the Renegades in 2002 and lasted until the end of the 2005 season.<ref name="ctv" /> The Redblacks won the 2016 Grey Cup Championship, which ended a 40-year Grey Cup championship drought for the city of Ottawa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/football/cfl/the-redblacks-end-40-years-of-frustration-in-ottawa-with-grey-cup-win-over-stamps-in-ot|title = The Redblacks end 40 years of frustration in Ottawa with Grey Cup win over Stamps in OT}}</ref>

==History==

Following the 1996 season, years of ownership and management issues resulted in the Ottawa Rough Riders franchise folding after a storied 120 years. A CFL franchise in Ottawa was absent for the next five years until 2002, when football returned with new ownership and a new team name, the Ottawa Renegades. Ownership and management controversies soon overtook the new franchise<ref name="Ottawa Sun">{{cite web| url = https://ottawasun.com/2012/10/13/lonie-glieberman-looks-back-at-his-time-running-ottawas-cfl-team| title = Lonie Glieberman looks back at his time running Ottawa's CFL team {{!}} Ottawa Sun}}</ref> and the Renegades abruptly ceased operations prior to the 2006 CFL season. The league liquidated the Renegades roster in a dispersal draft and placed the Ottawa CFL franchise up for sale, with the intention of eventually returning to the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/renegades-won-t-play-in-2006-1.622367|title=Renegades won't play in 2006|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=2017-01-14}}</ref>

=== Legislative and construction hurdles to new franchise === On March 25, 2008, Jeff Hunt, the owner of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's, spearheaded a group that was awarded a franchise. The team planned to begin play in 2010, but cracks in the concrete structure in the south stands of Frank Clair Stadium led to the demolition of those stands and delayed the start of team operations. The league then set a new date of 2013 for the team's debut, but lawsuits forced the delay of reconstruction of the stadium to be pushed back even further.<ref name=delays/> The team and league then announced plans to play at a remodelled Frank Clair Stadium—now called TD Place Stadium—by 2014 if construction remained on schedule.<ref name="CFL return">{{Cite news |title=CFL will return to Ottawa |url=http://www.torontosun.com/sports/football/2010/06/29/14551341.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |newspaper=Toronto Sun}}</ref><ref name="Lansdowne passes">{{Cite web |last=Shanfelt |first=Eric |date=2024-05-22 |title=City eyes CFL return |url=http://www.obj.ca/Local/2010-06-29/article-1426235/Lansdowne-passes-by-15-9-margin;-city-eyes-CFL-return/1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702060450/http://www.obj.ca/Local/2010-06-29/article-1426235/Lansdowne-passes-by-15-9-margin;-city-eyes-CFL-return/1 |archive-date=2010-07-02 |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/article/cfl-in-ottawa-on-track-for-the-2014-season |title=CFL in Ottawa on track for the 2014 season |work=Official Site of the Canadian Football League |publisher=CFL.ca |date=10 October 2012 |access-date=2014-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202938/http://www.cfl.ca/article/cfl-in-ottawa-on-track-for-the-2014-season |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2008, the franchise was conditionally awarded the right to host the 2014 Grey Cup game,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=256724&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_main |title=Ottawa conditionally awarded 2014 Grey Cup |access-date=November 21, 2008 |date=November 21, 2008 |publisher=The Sports Network |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019142249/http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=256724&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_main |url-status=dead }}</ref> but the owners preferred to postpone the game for a few years to give the franchise a better chance to play in the championship game.<ref name="CFL return"/> In any event, after lawsuits and delays, the stadium renovations were not completed until 2014.<ref name=delays>{{cite news |work=CTV.ca |title=Lansdowne won't be ready for CFL football until 2014 |date=August 12, 2011 |url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/lansdowne-won-t-be-ready-for-cfl-football-until-2014-1.682750 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022135404/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/lansdowne-won-t-be-ready-for-cfl-football-until-2014-1.682750 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> Hosting the Grey Cup is a condition included in the agreement of franchise ownership.<ref name=garrioch64>{{cite news|last=Garrioch|first= Bruce |date=June 4, 2012|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/06/04/no-grey-cup-for-ottawa-in-2014|newspaper=The Ottawa Sun |title=No Grey Cup for Ottawa in 2014}}. ''Ottawa Sun''. Retrieved June 26, 2012.</ref> A {{CAD|7-million}} franchise fee was reported to have been paid to the CFL.<ref name="ctv">{{cite news|url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/group-pays-millions-to-bring-cfl-back-to-ottawa-1.284858 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014181823/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/group-pays-millions-to-bring-cfl-back-to-ottawa-1.284858 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |title=Group pays millions to bring CFL back to Ottawa |date=March 25, 2008 |publisher=CTV News Ottawa |access-date=November 24, 2008 |quote=A group of investors has agreed to pay the Canadian Football League a $7 million fee to bring a new CFL franchise to Ottawa }}</ref>

Concurrently, Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk had announced plans to bid for a Major League Soccer franchise to play in Ottawa, intending to build a new soccer-specific stadium near the Senators' Scotiabank Place (now Canadian Tire Centre) in support of that plan. Questions arose about the stadium's suitability for football in place of the aging Frank Clair Stadium. However, the CFL and MLS groups could not come to any agreement on coordinating their plans. Furthermore, municipal officials questioned whether the city could support both CFL and MLS franchises.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon |first=Sean |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080917.SOCCER17/TPStory/Sports |title=globeandmail.com: Sports |publisher=Globe and Mail |date=September 17, 2008 |access-date=November 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919224257/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080917.SOCCER17/TPStory/Sports |archive-date=September 19, 2008 }}</ref>

left|thumb|The north-side stands of TD Place at Lansdowne Park In April 2009, the staff of the city of Ottawa presented a report to the city council on the merits of the soccer stadium and Lansdowne Park proposals. The city held public hearings based on the report, which questioned the necessity of the spending but gave a slight edge to the Lansdowne proposal. Councillors attempted to learn whether the SSE group would support sharing their stadium with a planned CFL franchise, but the SSE group rejected such a possibility. Consequently, on April 22, 2009, the city council chose the Lansdowne proposal over the SSE proposal as its choice for an outdoor stadium. Negotiations were conducted over the next several months, leading to an August 26 presentation to the council so that it could decide the fate of football in Ottawa in the foreseeable future.{{Citation needed|date = December 2015}}

On November 12 and 13, the council held a public debate to discuss what should be done with the area at Lansdowne Park. Guest speakers included CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and former Rough Riders Jock Climie and Mark Kosmos, who presented their case as to why the Lansdowne Live group was an important contributor to the city of Ottawa.<ref>{{cite news|last=Garrioch |first=Bruce |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Football/CFL/News/2009/11/11/11716031-sun.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208232808/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Football/CFL/News/2009/11/11/11716031-sun.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |title=Lansdowne proposal Ottawa's last shot |publisher=Slam Sports |date=November 11, 2009 |access-date=November 16, 2009}}</ref> The following Monday, November 16, it was reported that the council had voted 15–9 in favour of plans to redevelop Lansdowne Park to house a CFL team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Naylor |first=Dave |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/cfls-return-to-ottawa-moves-one-step-closer/article1365927/ |title=CFL's return to Ottawa moves one step closer |publisher=Globe and Mail |date=November 17, 2009 |access-date=November 16, 2009}}</ref> The ownership group was given until June 2010 to sort out the details of the redevelopment, with construction set to begin in the spring of 2011.{{Citation needed|date = December 2015}}

On June 28, 2010, after a twelve-hour meeting, the city council approved the plan to redevelop Lansdowne Park by the same 15–9 vote, all but securing a franchise in the nation's capital.<ref name="CFL return"/><ref name="Lansdowne passes"/> With construction on the stadium scheduled to begin in 2011, the earliest the team would have been able to play was 2013 under the original timeline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nov 27, 2010, page 37 - Edmonton Journal at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/475908251/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> However, a failed legal challenge and an Ontario Municipal Board hearing on the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project delayed the start of construction until 2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar 15, 2011, page 21 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/468255672/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> with completion targeted for the summer of 2015, although there were indications that the stadium could be opened for football as early as 2014.<ref name=delays/> Without a viable stadium, the debut of the team was necessarily pushed back accordingly.<ref name=garrioch64/>

On October 10, 2012, the new franchise cleared its final political hurdle with a 21–3 vote by the city council in favour of Lansdowne.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/article/1269013--ottawa-city-council-vote-clears-way-for-return-of-cfl-team-to-lansdowne-park |title=Ottawa city council vote clears way for return of CFL team to Lansdowne Park | Toronto Star |work=Thestar.com |date=2012-10-10 |access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> Construction on the north and south side stands was set to begin in October 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dec 12, 2015, page 29 - The Ottawa Citizen at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/468551389/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Start of football operations (2013) === On January 30, 2013, Marcel Desjardins was named the first general manager in Redblacks history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canmoreleader.com/2013/01/19/ottawa-cfl-team-set-to-offer-gm-job-to-desjardins|title=Ottawa team to offer GM job to Desjardins | Sports|author=nurun.com|date=2013-01-19|publisher=Canmore Leader|access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> Desjardins named former Montreal Alouettes scouting director and New York Jets pro scout Brock Sunderland as his assistant GM in late May 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/brock-sunderland-named-assistant-gm-of-new-ottawa-cfl-franchise/article12220551/|title=Brock Sunderland named assistant GM of new Ottawa CFL franchise|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> On December 6, 2013, Desjardins hired Rick Campbell as the team's first head coach. Campbell is the son of former Edmonton Eskimos coaching legend Hugh Campbell, who coached the team to five consecutive Grey Cups from 1978 to 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/article/cfls-new-ottawa-redblacks-hire-rick-campbell-as-their-first-ever-head-coach/|title=CFL's new Ottawa REDBLACKS hire Rick Campbell as their first-ever head coach | CTV News|date=2013-12-06|website=Ctvnews.ca|access-date=2017-02-28}}</ref>

One year before the new Ottawa club hit the field for the 2014 CFL season, it was allowed to draft four NCAA junior redshirts (players who would participate in the 2013 NCAA football season) as part of the 2013 CFL draft. The draft took place on May 6, 2013, when Ottawa had the last pick in the first four rounds of the draft (9th, 18th, 27th and 36th overall selections). The team selected Nolan MacMillan from Iowa, Connor Williams from Utah State, Kalonji Kashama from Eastern Michigan and Tyler Digby from Robert Morris.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/Ottawa+picks+four+draft/8345594/story.html|title=Ottawa picks four in draft|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512005352/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Ottawa+picks+four+draft/8345594/story.html|archive-date=May 12, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The 2013 CFL Expansion Draft was a three-round CFL draft held on December 16, 2013, in which players from existing CFL teams were assigned to the new Ottawa team. The structure of the draft was announced on January 19, 2011, which involved one round for selecting import players and two rounds for selecting non-import players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/article/expansion-draft-plan-approved|title=Expansion Draft plan approved | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League|publisher=CFL.ca|access-date=2013-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222358/http://www.cfl.ca/article/expansion-draft-plan-approved|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Ottawa selected three players from each of the eight existing teams for a total of 24 players. The team was allowed to select eight import players and 16 non-import players with quarterbacks, kickers and punters eligible within their respective import/non-import categories. Ottawa was permitted to select a maximum of two quarterbacks and one kicker/punter, but not to select any two of these three players from the same team. CFL commissioner Mark Cohon was authorized to resolve any dispute related to player eligibility for the Expansion Draft process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2013/12/04/a-closer-look-at-the-expansion-draft-rules-and-process/|title=A closer look at the Expansion Draft rules and process|website=CFL.ca|access-date=2016-02-21|date=2013-12-04}}</ref> The selections were announced live on the CFL's official website on December 16, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/93869/autostart/true|title=Expansion Draft: Round 1 Selections|date=2013-12-16|work=Official Site of the Canadian Football League|publisher=CFL.ca|access-date=2014-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216201947/http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/93869/autostart/true|archive-date=December 16, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

=== First season (2014) === thumb|right|350px|The progress of construction at TD Place Stadium, September 27, 2013

On July 3, 2014, the Ottawa Redblacks played their first regular-season game, a road match against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions in the opening quarter, but ultimately losing 36–28.<ref>{{cite news|last=The Canadian Press |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/nic-grigsby-blue-bombers-spoil-redblacks-debut-1.2695859 |title=Nic Grigsby, Blue Bombers spoil Redblacks' debut |publisher=CBC Sports |date=July 3, 2014 |access-date=July 4, 2014}}</ref> On July 18, 2014, the Redblacks earned their first regular-season win at their home opener by a score of 18–17 over the Toronto Argonauts.<ref name=firsthomeopener>{{cite news|last=The Canadian Press |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/brett-maher-boots-redblacks-to-historic-win-in-home-opener-1.2711689 |title=Brett Maher boots Redblacks to historic win in home opener |publisher=CBC Sports |date=July 19, 2014 |access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> The Redblacks, like most expansion teams, struggled during the whole season, and finished last in both the East Division and the league with a 2–16 record.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/standings/2014/reg |title=2014 Regular Season Standings |work=Official Site of the Canadian Football League |publisher=CFL.ca |access-date=2015-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108105922/http://www.cfl.ca/standings/2014/reg |archive-date=November 8, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Young contenders (2015–2018) === In their second season, the Redblacks brought in significant talent to improve the offence. The result was a greatly improved team that won eight of its last 10 regular-season games, finishing with a record of 12–6 to finish atop the East Division and clinch a first-round bye.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-ottawa-cfl-recap-friday-1.3275922 |title=Redblacks hold off Blue Bombers, clinch playoff berth – CBC Sports – Football – CFL |website=Cbc.ca |access-date=2017-02-28}}</ref> It was the first regular-season division title for an Ottawa-based team since 1978. On November 22, 2015, the Redblacks defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 35–28 in the East Final to advance to the 103rd Grey Cup. In doing so, they became the first Ottawa CFL team to reach the Grey Cup since the 1981 Rough Riders. They also became the second-youngest team to reach a Grey Cup final, bettered only by the 1994 Baltimore CFLers. In their first-ever Grey Cup appearance, the Redblacks lost 26–20 to the Edmonton Eskimos.<ref>{{cite news|last=The Canadian Press |url= http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/eskimos-redblacks-grey-cup-1.3342813 |title=Eskimos defeat Redblacks to win Grey Cup |publisher=CBC Sports |date=November 29, 2015 |access-date=December 2, 2015}}</ref>

The Redblacks struggled during the following season, finishing with an 8–9–1 record. However, the East Division was so weak that season, the Redblacks won their second consecutive division title—and with it, a bye into the East Final. Because of the CFL's crossover playoff format, Ottawa faced the Western Division's Edmonton Eskimos, winning 35–23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/game-rule-crossover/|title=How the Crossover Works|access-date=2016-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2016/11/20/redblacks-blow-past-eskimos-in-east-final.html|title=Redblacks blow past Eskimos in East final: Backup running back leads Ottawa to second straight Grey Cup appearance.|last=Ralph|first=Dan|date=2016-11-20|publisher=The Canadian Press|access-date=2016-11-27}}</ref> In the Grey Cup, the Redblacks won the franchise's first championship—and the first for an Ottawa-based team in 40 years—by defeating the heavily favored Calgary Stampeders 39–33 in only the third Grey Cup game in history to go into overtime.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/grey-cup-stampeders-redblacks-1.3870182|title=Redblacks pull off huge upset to win 104th Grey Cup in OT|last=Ralph|first=Dan|date=2016-11-27|publisher=The Canadian Press|access-date=2016-11-27}}</ref>

The Redblacks went into the 2017 season with high hopes as defending champions. Despite losing Henry Burris to retirement and key contributors such as Kienan LaFrance and Ernest Jackson to free agency, the Redblacks finished the season with another 8–9–1 record, which was good enough for second place in the East Division, behind the Toronto Argonauts. The Redblacks struggled with injuries and inconsistent play throughout the course of the season. Their quest for a second consecutive Grey Cup fell short as the team lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, which crossed over to play the Redblacks in the East Division semifinal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/2452/|title=2017-11-12 Game Tracker - Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Ottawa Redblacks (2452)|website=CFL.ca|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref> The Redblacks returned to form in 2018, winning their third divisional title in four years. After defeating the Tiger-Cats in the East Final, they advanced to the 106th Grey Cup game, where they were defeated by the Calgary Stampeders, which were making their third consecutive Grey Cup appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/2551/|title=2018-11-25 Game Tracker - Ottawa Redblacks vs. Calgary Stampeders (2551)|website=CFL.ca|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>

=== Campbell and Desjardins' departure (2019–2021) ===

The 2019 season was one to forget for the Redblacks. The team lost their main offensive stars, Trevor Harris and Greg Ellingson, in free agency as both players signed with the Edmonton Eskimos. The team's offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo resigned in mid-April to take a job with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL and was replaced two weeks later by former Renegades head coach Joe Paopao, who served as the team's running backs coach and offensive playcaller. Their quarterbacking position was in flux for most of the season as Jonathon Jennings, Dominique Davis, and Will Arndt all spent time under centre.

Midway through the season, with the offense sputtering, Campbell turned over the role of offensive play-calling to Paopao, changing his role with the team from running backs coach to quarterbacks coach in the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://3downnation.com/2019/08/20/redblacks-hand-play-calling-duties-to-joe-paopao/|title=Redblacks hand play-calling duties to Joe Paopao |work= 3DownNation|date=August 20, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref> After a 2–0 start, the team lost four in a row and capped off the season by losing 11 consecutive games, finishing the year at 3–15, good enough for fourth in the East, and ninth place overall in the CFL. Following the season, Campbell and the Redblacks mutually agreed to part ways.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Redblacks part ways with head coach Rick Campbell |date=2019-11-04 |website=The Globe and Mail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128080808/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/article-ottawa-redblacks-part-ways-with-head-coach-rick-campbell/ |archive-date=2022-11-28 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/article-ottawa-redblacks-part-ways-with-head-coach-rick-campbell/}}</ref>

On December 7, 2019, the Redblacks hired former Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice as the second head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Redblacks name LaPolice new head coach on three-year deal|date=December 7, 2019 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/ottawa-redblacks-name-paul-lapolice-new-head-coach-1.1409823}}</ref> Following a record of 3–15 in 2019 and the team being eliminated from playoff contention in 2021 with a record of 2–9, the Redblacks fired general manager Marcel Desjardins on October 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/ottawa-redblacks-fire-general-manager-marcel-desjardins/|title=Ottawa Redblacks fire general manager Marcel Desjardins|date=October 25, 2021|publisher=ctv.ca}}</ref>

==Team name== Initially, Hunt hoped to revive the Rough Riders name. Almost as soon as they won the franchise, Hunt and his group made contact with previous Rough Riders owner Horn Chen regarding the name, and they were well aware of Chen's asking price for the Rough Riders logo and wordmarks.<ref>[http://www.ottawa67s.com/main.asp?page_name=display_news.asp?news=225 Ottawa's New CFL Franchise]. Ottawa 67's franchise information sheet. March 25, 2008. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011030146/http://www.ottawa67s.com/main.asp?page_name=display_news.asp%3Fnews%3D225 |date=October 11, 2009 }}</ref> The Rough Riders name was still popular among former players and football fans in Ottawa.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/ottawa-legend-russ-jackson-turned-off-by-latest-name-suggestion-1.1358816| title = Ottawa legend Russ Jackson turned off by latest name suggestion {{!}} CBC Sports}}</ref> The Rough Riders played for 120 years, during which time they played for the Grey Cup 15 times, winning nine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=page&id=40|title=History of the Ottawa Renegades|publisher=Canadian Football League|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007064019/http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=page&id=40|archive-date=October 7, 2006}}</ref> However, in July 2010, the ownership group announced that while they had acquired the Rough Riders intellectual properties—including their trademarks—from Chen, the Rough Riders name likely would not be returning because of objections from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Saskatchewan+expected+allow+Ottawa+name/3308768/story.html|title=Saskatchewan not expected to allow Ottawa to use old name|last=Desaulniers|first=Darren|date=July 22, 2010|publisher=The Ottawa Citizen|access-date=July 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823040146/http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Saskatchewan+expected+allow+Ottawa+name/3308768/story.html|archive-date=August 23, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On December 6, 2012, the CFL opened six days of voting for the new name on [https://www.nameourteams.com www.nameourteams.com]. The team was speculated to be called the Rush, but this was later debunked.<ref>{{cite web|author=nurun.com |url=http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2012/12/21/ottawa-cfl-team-wont-be-called-rush |title=Team won't be called Rush | Sports | Brantford Expositor |publisher=Brantfordexpositor.ca |date=2012-12-21 |access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> The Rush name was nonetheless included in a list of five potential names (along with Nationals, Voyageurs, Redblacks, and Raftsmen) in a focus group led by the team's owners in January 2013.<ref>Baines, Tim (January 23, 2013). "So to sum it up ... Ottawa CFL group considering Nationals, Raftsmen, Redblacks, Rush and Voyageurs." ''Ottawa Sun''. Retrieved January 23, 2013.</ref>

On May 30, 2013, the website SportsLogos.net reported that the ownership group had filed copyright protection for the nickname "Redblacks" (and its French equivalent, {{lang|fr|Rouge et Noir}}) with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.<ref>{{cite web|last=Creamer|first=Chris|url=http://news.sportslogos.net/2013/05/30/ottawa-cfl-team-will-be-the-redblacks-logos-here/|title=Ottawa CFL Team Will Be RedBlacks|publisher=sportslogos.net|access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> On June 8, 2013, the team confirmed it would be known as the Ottawa Redblacks. On the same day, the team also revealed its logo—an italicized version of the block "R" that had appeared on the Rough Riders' helmets from 1975 to 1991 (with artistic ink traps) surrounded by a red outline inside a black saw blade.<ref>{{cite web|last=Baines |first=Tim |url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/06/08/ottawa-redblacks-name-logo-unveiled-at-cfl-launch-event-in-capital |title=Ottawa Redblacks name, logo unveiled at CFL launch event in capital | Football | Sports |publisher=Ottawa Sun |date= 2013-06-08|access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> The home uniforms were predominantly black, with white numerals and red-and-white trim. The road uniforms were white, with red numerals and red-and-black trim.<ref>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Barre|title=WHAT A LOOK! REDBLACKS CREATE BUZZ WITH NEW UNIFORMS|url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2014/05/06/what-a-look-redblacks-create-buzz-with-new-uniforms/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=OttawaRedblacks.com|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=February 21, 2021|language=en|quote=The uniform mixes the classic look of Ottawa football in red, black and white with bold new styling, which includes jerseys with numbering based on the team’s saw-blade logo, paying tribute to the history of the lumber industry in Ottawa-Gatineau.}}</ref>

For record-keeping, the CFL now recognizes all three Ottawa-based clubs that played in the CFL or the league's predecessors—the Rough Riders (known as the Ottawa Football Club from 1876 to 1898 and the Ottawa Senators from 1926 to 1930), the Renegades, and the Redblacks—as "a single entity" dating to 1876, with "two intervals of nonparticipation (1997–2001 & 2006–2013)."<ref name="2025 Guide">{{cite web |title=CFL Guide & Record Book – 2025 Edition |url=https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025-CFL-Guide-Final.pdf |access-date=November 13, 2025 |publisher=Canadian Football League |pages=14 |quote=Ottawa FCs historical records considered continuous from 1907 (with two breaks).}}</ref>

== Rivals == Based on their nearby geography the traditional Ottawa rivalry is with the Montreal Alouettes, whom they often play in the Labour Day Classic, and Montreal is part of the divisional rivalry with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts. Although separated by distance and division, the Calgary Stampeders have emerged as a main rival of the Redblacks franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rivalry heats up |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/rivalry-heats-up-with-return-match-between-calgary-stampeders-and-grey-cup-champions |access-date=2024-05-10}}</ref>

== Honoured players == === Retired numbers === On July 18, 2014, at halftime of the first home game in franchise history, the Redblacks announced they would be retiring all 10 jersey numbers previously retired by the Ottawa Rough Riders.<ref name="Retired Numbers">{{cite web |url=http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/retired-numbers |title=Retired Numbers |publisher=Ottawa Redblacks |access-date=July 19, 2014 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027023220/https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/retired-numbers |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club has stated that they will not retire numbers in the future due to a limitation of number availability among certain positions.<ref name="WoH Kaye Vaughan">{{cite web |url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2019/09/10/kaye-vaughan-td-place-stadium-wall-honour/ |title=Kaye Vaughan-TD Place Stadium Wall of Honour |website=ottawaredblacks.com |publisher=Ottawa Redblacks |date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=September 12, 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable floatleft" style="text-align:center" |- | colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|'''Ottawa Redblacks retired numbers'''<ref name="Retired Numbers"/> |- ! style="width:40px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|No. ! style="width:150px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Player ! style="width:40px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Position ! style="width:150px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Tenure ! style="width:150px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Championships |- | '''11''' || Ron Stewart || RB || 1958–1970 || 1960, 1968, 1969 |- | '''12''' || Russ Jackson || QB || 1958–1969 || 1960, 1968, 1969 |- | '''26''' || Whit Tucker || WR || 1962–1970 || 1968, 1969 |- | '''40''' || Bruno Bitkowski || C/DE || 1951–1962 || 1951, 1960 |- | '''60''' || Jim Coode || OT || 1974–1980 || 1976 |- | '''62''' || Moe Racine || OT/K || 1958–1974 || 1960, 1968, 1969, 1973 |- | '''70''' || Bobby Simpson || FW/E/DB || 1950–1962 || 1951, 1960 |- | '''71''' || Gerry Organ || K/P/WR || 1971–1983 || 1973, 1976 |- | '''72''' || Tony Golab || FW/HB || 1939–1941<br />1945–1950 || 1940 |- | '''77''' || Tony Gabriel || TE || 1975–1981 || 1976 |}

=== Wall of Honour === All 10 retired numbers are featured on the club's Wall of Honour in the stadium.<ref name="WoH Kaye Vaughan"/> Additionally, Henry Burris was added to the Wall on September 9, 2017, at halftime in a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.<ref name="Burris">{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/local-sports/fans-show-love-for-burris-in-halftime-ceremony |title=Fans show love for retired QB Henry Burris in halftime ceremony |website=ottawacitizen.com |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=September 9, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2019}}</ref> On September 10, 2019, the CFL Ottawa Alumni Association Board of Directors announced they had assigned a committee to select former Ottawa players to be added to the Wall of Honour with a goal of adding more in future years.<ref name="WoH Kaye Vaughan"/> In that same announcement, the club revealed that Kaye Vaughan would be the 12th member added to the Wall of Honour.<ref name="WoH Kaye Vaughan"/>

{| class="wikitable floatleft" style="text-align:center" |- | colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|'''Ottawa Redblacks Wall of Honour additions'''<ref name="Retired Numbers"/> |- ! style="width:40px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|No. ! style="width:150px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Player ! style="width:40px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Position ! style="width:150px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Tenure ! style="width:150px; {{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks}};"|Championships |- | '''1''' || Henry Burris || QB || 2014–2016 || 2016 |- | '''55''' || Kaye Vaughan || OT/OG/DT || 1953–1964 || 1960 |}

==Roster== {{Ottawa RedBlacks roster}}

==Staff== {{Ottawa RedBlacks staff}}

== Awards ==

* '''Grey Cup''' ** '''Champions (1):''' 2016 * '''East Division''' ** '''Champions (3):''' 2015, 2016, 2018

==Season-by-season results== {{Main|List of Ottawa Redblacks seasons}}

==Mascot== {{Main|Big Joe (mascot)}} The Redblacks' mascot is a lumberjack whose original name, "Big Joe Mufferaw", was revealed by the team on March 28, 2014. The name, which came from online suggestions, was an acknowledgement to the Big Joe Mufferaw folk legend popularized in several works of fiction (most notably by Ottawa native Bernie Bedore) and in songs by Stompin' Tom Connors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/ottawa-redblacks-announce-mascot-will-be-named-big-joe-mufferaw/article17722207/ |title=Ottawa RedBlacks announce mascot will be named Big Joe Mufferaw |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2014-03-28 |access-date=2014-04-16}}</ref> After the Redblacks received some criticism for the Mufferaw name, the team announced on March 31 that the mascot would go by the name "Big Joe" (or "Grand Jos" in French).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/ottawa-redblacks-change-controversial-name-of-lumberjack-mascot/article17750832/ |title=Ottawa RedBlacks change name of lumberjack mascot after critical feedback |publisher=The Globe and Mail|agency=The Canadian Press |date= 31 March 2014|access-date=2014-04-16}}</ref>

==Cheerleaders== The Ottawa Redblacks Cheer and Dance Team made its debut at the Redblacks' first home game at TD Place Stadium on July 17, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/schedule/year/2014/65 |title=2014 Grey Cup Preview with Mike Sutherland |publisher=Ottawa REDBLACKS |date=2015-11-17 |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021011540/http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/schedule/year/2014/65 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The team is composed of men and women between the ages of 18 and 35, with two spirit teams of 25 cheerleaders and 25 dancers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oseg.ca/ottawa-redblacks-cheerleader-try-outs|title=Ottawa REDBLACKS Cheerleader Try-outs ‹ OSEG|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129081448/http://www.oseg.ca/ottawa-redblacks-cheerleader-try-outs/|archive-date=November 29, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The coed cheerleading team consists of athletes from various all-star, varsity, performance, and competitive cheerleading backgrounds. During games, the cheerleading team executes stunt routines and acrobatics on the field and the sidelines. The dance team is composed of females from a variety of dance disciplines. The team also performs on the field during game stoppages and participates in pregame activities. The program directors are Lisa Aucoin and Kenny Feeley,<ref name="ottawaredblacks.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/redblacks-cheer-team-coaching-staff|title=Ottawa REDBLACKS|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501021554/http://ottawaredblacks.com/redblacks-cheer-team-coaching-staff|archive-date=May 1, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the dance team's head coach is Melany Morrison.<ref name="ottawaredblacks.com" />

On game days, members of the cheer and dance teams participate in “gameday cheering/dancing, halftime performances, pregame shows, [and] gameday promotions”.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/ottawa-redblacks-cheerleading-dance-team|title=Ottawa REDBLACKS|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501044324/http://ottawaredblacks.com/ottawa-redblacks-cheerleading-dance-team|archive-date=May 1, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Members are involved in various community events, charity functions and corporate appearances in the Ottawa region.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

The team offers a junior program for cheerleaders and dancers between the ages of six and 16.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/junior-cheerleaders|title=Junior Cheerleaders – Ottawa REDBLACKS|work=Ottawa REDBLACKS|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812003427/http://ottawaredblacks.com/junior-cheerleaders|archive-date=August 12, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The four-week program includes instruction and coaching by members of the team.<ref name="ReferenceB" />

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/}} *{{commonscatinline}}

{{Ottawa Redblacks}} {{Navboxes|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Ottawa Redblacks|border=2}};|list1= {{Ottawa Redblacks seasons}} {{104th Grey Cup}} {{CFL}} {{Ontario Sports}} }}

Category:Ottawa Redblacks Category:Canadian Football League teams Redblacks Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 2013 Category:2013 establishments in Ontario