Remembering the legacy of Dahrran Diedrick

The death of Dahrran Dean Diedrick on Saturday, June 24th, has been greatly felt by his family, friends and loved ones and those who knew him personally. The former Canadian Football League running back died at the age of 44 years old after a protracted battle with cancer.

Dahrran was born in Jamaica and grew up in Toronto where he attended Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute. In his legendary career in the CFL, he won three Grey Cup championships: two with the Montreal Alouettes in 2009 and 2010 and one with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2005.

Dahrran received a football scholarship after completion of high school and attended the University of Nebraska. He was the first Canadian athlete to ever receive a scholarship from that university. He studied criminal justice and completed a Bachelor’s degree in the criminal justice program in December 2001. During his time there, he played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and he successfully took them to the Rose Bowl where they lost in the NCAA championship final to the Miami Hurricanes in 1999. His outstanding collegiate record was solidified with him completing 2,745 yards rushed on 502 carries with 26 touchdowns all while academically achieving a 3.165 cumulative GPA.

Dahrran was selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the third round of the 2002 CFL draft, but he opted to return to school instead. He subsequently signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent the following year. He later played with the Green Bay Packers and for one year with the Washington Commanders in 2004. He eventually joined the Edmonton Eskimos in 2005 where he was a part of their Grey Cup team. He was subsequently traded to the Montreal Alouettes where he played for seven seasons winning back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. In 2013,he moved to the Hamilton TigerCats where he completed his professional football career in 2014.

In September 2017, he overcame what to many seemed impossible; Dahrran was diagnosed with hepatosplenic gamma delta T-cell lymphoma which is an aggressive form of cancer. He went on to work with the Toronto Argonauts as a strength coach in 2017 and helped them to a Grey Cup victory.

Anthony Calvillo, a former teammate of Diedrick with him during his eight seasons with the Alouettes, released a statement. “I won two championships with Dahrran, and he was a very important piece of our team. He was always in a good mood and got along with everyone in our dressing room. He leaves us far too young, and I send my best thoughts to his loved ones.”

Eric Deslauriers, senior director of football operations who played with him in Montreal has fond memories. He recalls, “Dahrran was a very good friend of mine in the locker room, and we kept in touch after our careers. I remember him as a very physical player when he had the ball: no one could take it away from him. My thoughts are with his loved ones and his family. My heart is very heavy right now.”

I spoke with Dahrran’s mother, Karen Moulton on Thursday, July 13th, and offered her my condolences regarding the passing of her son, an only child. She shared the great work that he did in the community working with youths, coaching them in football. He coached the Pickering Dolphins and would oftentimes volunteer his time to support them in sewing programs across different schools in the Greater Toronto Area. She mentioned that he leaves three children behind, and she told me that there are plans underway to start a foundation to help at-risk kids from low-income backgrounds.