The Montreal Alouettes have released defensive back Tommie Campbell prior to his February 1 roster bonus.
Campbell was due $15,000 on February 1, $12,500 March 1 and $10,000 April 1. He was scheduled to make $70,000 in base salary, $18,000 in housing money with a $2,500 travel allowance plus available playtime and active roster bonuses for the 2020 season. For the 2019 campaign, Campbell earned approximately $150,000.
Just exchanged messages with Tommie Campbell: “All [the #Alouettes] had to do was talk to me and I probably would have played for the minimum. I don’t play this game for money. I do it because I love it and I love to compete. But now I’m angry and I’ve got that drive.”
— Joey Alfieri (@joeyalfieri) January 31, 2020
The Als had signed Campbell to a two-year contract extension in September 2018. He had played in 33 games making 104 tackles and four interceptions since joining Montreal in free agency during February 2018. Former head coach Mike Sherman scratched Campbell for one game due to not doing up his chin strap at practice, but that incident was put behind the player and team.
The standout former Calgary Stampeders cover man did not allow a touchdown during the entire 2017 regular season, yet he was left off the CFL all-star team. He was part of a secondary that was the toughest to pass against league-wide that same year. Campbell played in 35 games for the Stamps providing lockdown coverage at the boundary corner spot. He made 108 tackles and five interceptions over two seasons in Calgary.
Originally drafted by Tennessee in the 2011 NFL draft during the seventh round, 251st overall, Campbell recorded 37 tackles, recovered one fumble and forced another and he has a 65-yard punt return touchdown to his credit. His combination of size – six-foot-three, 203 pounds – and speed (4.31-second 40-yard dash) coming out of California University of Pennsylvania were rare.
The 32-year-old Campbell hits the open market as the Alouettes deal with managing the salary cap.