The family of late CFL fullback Dahrran Diedrick has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money in memory of their deceased loved one.
In memory of former Nebraska Cornhusker, NFL, and CFL running back Dahrran Diedrick, Dahrran’s family and friends would like to start a fund to assist with establishing a foundation in Dahrran’s name.
The foundation’s mission is to aid in the development of low-income and at-risk youth in the United States and Canada. Dahrran was raised by a single mother who understood what a difference the support of a community can do for youth through sports and academics.
Throughout Dahrran’s career, he gave back to the city of Toronto and other communities he played in. This was evident later in Dahrran’s post-playing career by giving his time and talents through mentoring and coaching with the younger football clubs across the Greater Toronto area.
The Scarborough native played 10 seasons in the CFL, eight of which came as a member of the Montreal Alouettes. He won three Grey Cups over the course of his career, including back-to-back titles with the Als in 2009 and 2010.
The six-foot, 225-pound ball carrier was the first Canadian scholarship recruit to play for the University of Nebraska. He finished his collegiate career with 502 carries for 2,745 yards and 26 touchdowns, including a junior season in 2001 in which he led the Big 12 with 1,299 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Diedrick was drafted in the third round of the 2002 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Football Team but returned to school before signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent the following year. He also had stints with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders, playing a single NFL game in 2004.
After a brief stint with Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, the Canadian workhorse finally arrived in the CFL in 2005, winning a Grey Cup with Edmonton in his first year. He was acquired by the Alouettes in 2006 and soon became a fixture with the franchise. In 130 career CFL games, Diedrick carried the ball 179 times for 872 yards and six touchdowns while adding 13 receptions for 81 yards.
The veteran fullback was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2013 but returned to Montreal the following year. He retired in 2014 after being diagnosed with hepatosplenic gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma but later served as strength and conditioning coach of the Toronto Argonauts in 2017 when he won another Grey Cup.
Diedrick passed away of cancer on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the age of 44.
