Veteran NFL, CFL defensive lineman Freddie Bishop signs with Riders

Photo courtesy: New York Jets

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Freddie Bishop III.

The six-foot-three, 255-pound Bishop has an extensive pro football resume including stints in the CFL, NFL and Alliance of American Football.

The 30-year-old spent the 2019 season with the Toronto Argonauts, playing in 18 games and making 40 tackles and six sacks for the Boatmen. Prior to signing in The Six, he played five games for the Memphis Express of the AAF making four tackles and one tackle for a loss. 

The Michigan native played nine regular games for the New York Jets between 2016-2017, making 17 tackles and one pass deflection. Bishop played four pre-season games with the Detroit Lions in 2018, recording 12 tackles. The 2014 Grey Cup Champion spent three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and made 55 tackles, 14 sacks and one forced fumble in 29 games played. 

In the NCAA, Bishop played 48 games for Western Michigan University and made 172 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles. Bishop was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference and the team’s most outstanding defensive player in 2012.