Jason Clermont
Encyclopedia
Jason Clermont is a professional Canadian football
slotback
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
of the Canadian Football League
(CFL). Clermont started his professional career with the BC Lions
after being selected in the 2002 CFL Draft. He played amateur football in his hometown of Regina, starting with the Regina Rams
junior football club, and continuing with the team after they became affiliated with the University of Regina
. While playing university football, Clermont was named an All-Star and All-Canadian, as well as the Most Valuable Player in the Canada West Conference. As a professional, Clermont's honours have included being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie in 2002, Most Outstanding Canadian in 2004 and 2007, as well as the Most Valuable Canadian at the 2004 Grey Cup
. Clermont captured a Grey Cup championship with the Lions in 2006
. He joined his hometown Roughriders at the start of the 2009 season after being released by the Lions.
at Robert Usher Collegiate in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan
. In 1995, Clermont quarterback
ed Usher to a city championship.
of the Canadian Junior Football League
(CJFL). Clermont was named the Prairie Football Conference's Outstanding Rookie Receiver in 1996 and was named to the conference's All-Star team in 1997 and 1998. He was named a CJFL All-Canadian in 1998. The Rams won the Canadian Bowl
as the nation's junior football champions in 1997 and 1998. In 1997, Clermont scored the winning touchdown
in double overtime
. As of 2010, Clermont still holds the CJFL record for most points scored in a game with 18 on October 25, 1997. In that game, he also set the record for most touchdowns in a game, with three, and most receiving touchdowns in a game with two.
to play Canadian Interuniversity Sport
(CIS) football in the Canada West conference. In 2000, Clermont and the Rams were the runners up in the Vanier Cup
championship. During his senior year with the Rams, Clermont was named a Canada West All-Star, and a CIS All-Canadian in addition to being named the Most Outstanding Player in the Canada West conference. He was also selected to participate in the annual East-West Shrine Game
at the end of the season. In 2007, Clermont was inducted in the Regina Rams Hall of Fame.
by the BC Lions
. During the Lions' 2002 season
Clermont played slotback
and played a key role in the team's offense with 46 receptions for 735 yards and six touchdowns. These numbers were good enough for Clermont to capture the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award
. Clermont had similar production in 2003
, finishing the season with 615 yards and seven touchdowns.
Clermont had his breakthrough season in 2004
, catching 83 passes for 1220 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named the CFL's Top Canadian in addition to securing a spot on the Western Division
All-Star Team. Clermont and the Lions made it to the 2004 Grey Cup, but were defeated by the Toronto Argonauts
. Despite the loss, Clermont captured the Dick Suderman Trophy as the Outstanding Canadian in the championship game.
With the Lions in 2005
, Clermont recorded his second 1000 yard season, and caught four touchdown passes. The 2006 season
was a disappointing one for Clermont, as he missed significant time after suffering torn knee ligaments in the first game of the season. He finished the season with 44 receptions and three touchdowns, while starting 11 games. Clermont was back in the lineup in time for the playoffs, and saw limited action as the Lions captured the 2006 Grey Cup with a 25–14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes
.
In 2007, Clermont caught 86 passes for 1158 yards and 7 TDs
. He won his second CFL Most Outstanding Canadian
award and he was named a CFL All-Star.
Clermont had a less productive season in 2008
, leading head coach Wally Buono
to deem him expendable. As such, on December 3, 2008, the Lions released Clermont and he became a free agent
.
on December 12, 2008, finally being afforded the opportunity to join his hometown team. Although fans expected much from Clermont for the 2009 season
, his production continued to decline as he only caught 23 passes for 317 yards and was a healthy scratch for two games. His first touchdown for the Roughriders was scored on November 14, 2010, at the end of the first semifinal game of the season, taking Saskatchewan to a 41-38 victory against the BC Lions in double overtime. Clermont was named the CFL's Outstanding Canadian for the first week of the playoffs after his performance in the Western semi-final.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
slotback
Slotback
Slotback is a position in Gridiron football . The slotback is similar to the wide receiver but also has many of the same traits as a running back, lines up closer to the offensive line and often farther back...
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL). Clermont started his professional career with the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
after being selected in the 2002 CFL Draft. He played amateur football in his hometown of Regina, starting with the Regina Rams
Regina Rams
The Regina Rams are the CIS football team that represents the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Rams nickname is used by the university's football team only; all other teams at the school are named Regina Cougars...
junior football club, and continuing with the team after they became affiliated with the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
. While playing university football, Clermont was named an All-Star and All-Canadian, as well as the Most Valuable Player in the Canada West Conference. As a professional, Clermont's honours have included being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie in 2002, Most Outstanding Canadian in 2004 and 2007, as well as the Most Valuable Canadian at the 2004 Grey Cup
92nd Grey Cup
The 92nd Grey Cup game took place on November 21, 2004, at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. The game decided the championship of the 2004 Canadian Football League season...
. Clermont captured a Grey Cup championship with the Lions in 2006
94th Grey Cup
The 94th Grey Cup game took place on November 19, 2006, at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba before 44,786 fans. Ticket prices ranged from $141 and $275.The game decided the championship of the 2006 Canadian Football League season...
. He joined his hometown Roughriders at the start of the 2009 season after being released by the Lions.
High school
Clermont started playing football when he was seven years old, after seeing a minor football team practicing behind his home. He played high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at Robert Usher Collegiate in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
. In 1995, Clermont quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
ed Usher to a city championship.
Junior
After finishing his high school career, Clermont played for the Regina RamsRegina Rams
The Regina Rams are the CIS football team that represents the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Rams nickname is used by the university's football team only; all other teams at the school are named Regina Cougars...
of the Canadian Junior Football League
Canadian Junior Football League
The Canadian Junior Football League is a national amateur Canadian football league consisting of 19 teams playing in six provinces across Canada. The teams compete annually for the Canadian Bowl...
(CJFL). Clermont was named the Prairie Football Conference's Outstanding Rookie Receiver in 1996 and was named to the conference's All-Star team in 1997 and 1998. He was named a CJFL All-Canadian in 1998. The Rams won the Canadian Bowl
Canadian Bowl
The Canadian Bowl is the championship of the Canadian Junior Football League. The three league champions participate in the playdowns for the championship. One champion receives a bye to the game, while the other two play off in the Jostens Cup. The bye rotates among the three...
as the nation's junior football champions in 1997 and 1998. In 1997, Clermont scored the winning touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
in double overtime
Overtime
Overtime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours. Normal hours may be determined in several ways:*by custom ,*by practices of a given trade or profession,*by legislation,...
. As of 2010, Clermont still holds the CJFL record for most points scored in a game with 18 on October 25, 1997. In that game, he also set the record for most touchdowns in a game, with three, and most receiving touchdowns in a game with two.
University
After the 1998 season, the Rams left the CJFL in favour of affiliation with the University of ReginaUniversity of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
to play Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
(CIS) football in the Canada West conference. In 2000, Clermont and the Rams were the runners up in the Vanier Cup
Vanier Cup
The Vanier Cup is the name of the championship of Canadian Interuniversity Sport football and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is currently played between the winners of the Uteck Bowl and the Mitchell Bowl...
championship. During his senior year with the Rams, Clermont was named a Canada West All-Star, and a CIS All-Canadian in addition to being named the Most Outstanding Player in the Canada West conference. He was also selected to participate in the annual East-West Shrine Game
East-West Shrine Game
The East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
at the end of the season. In 2007, Clermont was inducted in the Regina Rams Hall of Fame.
BC Lions
After his university career, Clermont was drafted in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2002 CFL Draft2002 CFL Draft
The 2002 CFL Draft took place on April 25, 2002. From a list of 442 eligible CIS football players from Canadian universities and Canadian players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, 54 players were chosen, up from the previous 48 since the 2002 CFL season marked the addition of the...
by the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
. During the Lions' 2002 season
2002 BC Lions season
The 2002 BC Lions finished in 3rd place in the West Division with a 10–8 record. They appeared in the West-Semi Final.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:- Season Standings:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-2002 CFL All-Stars:...
Clermont played slotback
Slotback
Slotback is a position in Gridiron football . The slotback is similar to the wide receiver but also has many of the same traits as a running back, lines up closer to the offensive line and often farther back...
and played a key role in the team's offense with 46 receptions for 735 yards and six touchdowns. These numbers were good enough for Clermont to capture the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award
CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award
The Most Outstanding Rookie Award is annually rewarded to the player deemed to be the best player in his first year in the Canadian Football League. This is the fifth-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it...
. Clermont had similar production in 2003
2003 BC Lions season
The 2003 BC Lions finished in 4th place in the West Division with a 11–7 record, but they made the playoffs because of the "cross-over" rule. They appeared in the East-Semi Final...
, finishing the season with 615 yards and seven touchdowns.
Clermont had his breakthrough season in 2004
2004 BC Lions season
The 2004 BC Lions finished in 1st place in the West Division with a 13–5 record. They won the West Final and appeared in the 92nd Grey Cup.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-Awards and records:...
, catching 83 passes for 1220 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named the CFL's Top Canadian in addition to securing a spot on the Western Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
All-Star Team. Clermont and the Lions made it to the 2004 Grey Cup, but were defeated by the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
. Despite the loss, Clermont captured the Dick Suderman Trophy as the Outstanding Canadian in the championship game.
With the Lions in 2005
2005 BC Lions season
The 2005 BC Lions finished in 1st place in the West Division with a 12–6 record. They appeared in the West Final.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-Awards and records:...
, Clermont recorded his second 1000 yard season, and caught four touchdown passes. The 2006 season
2006 BC Lions season
The 2006 BC Lions finished in 1st place in the West Division with a 13–5 record and won the 94th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:-Rushing:-Receiving:-Awards and records:...
was a disappointing one for Clermont, as he missed significant time after suffering torn knee ligaments in the first game of the season. He finished the season with 44 receptions and three touchdowns, while starting 11 games. Clermont was back in the lineup in time for the playoffs, and saw limited action as the Lions captured the 2006 Grey Cup with a 25–14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
.
In 2007, Clermont caught 86 passes for 1158 yards and 7 TDs
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. He won his second CFL Most Outstanding Canadian
CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award
The Most Outstanding Canadian Award is annually rewarded to the best Canadian player in the Canadian Football League. This is the second-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it is hosted. The two nominees...
award and he was named a CFL All-Star.
Clermont had a less productive season in 2008
2008 BC Lions season
The 2008 BC Lions finished the season in third place in the Western Division with a 11–7 record. The Lions appeared in the CFL Western Final.- CFL Draft:...
, leading head coach Wally Buono
Wally Buono
Pasquale "Wally" Buono is the head coach, general manager and alternate governor of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, and one of the most successful coaches in league history. He is in his 19th year of coaching, previously as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders and currently with the...
to deem him expendable. As such, on December 3, 2008, the Lions released Clermont and he became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Clermont signed a contract with the Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
on December 12, 2008, finally being afforded the opportunity to join his hometown team. Although fans expected much from Clermont for the 2009 season
2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
The 2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders season was the 52nd season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders attempted to win their 4th Grey Cup championship but lost to the Alouettes in the Grey Cup final....
, his production continued to decline as he only caught 23 passes for 317 yards and was a healthy scratch for two games. His first touchdown for the Roughriders was scored on November 14, 2010, at the end of the first semifinal game of the season, taking Saskatchewan to a 41-38 victory against the BC Lions in double overtime. Clermont was named the CFL's Outstanding Canadian for the first week of the playoffs after his performance in the Western semi-final.
Career statistics
| Receiving | Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Games | No. | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | Games | No. | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | ||
| 2002 2002 CFL season The 2002 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 49th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 45th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2002:... |
BC 2002 BC Lions season The 2002 BC Lions finished in 3rd place in the West Division with a 10–8 record. They appeared in the West-Semi Final.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:- Season Standings:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-2002 CFL All-Stars:... |
18 | 46 | 735 | 16.0 | 41 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| 2003 2003 CFL season The 2003 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 50th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 46th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2003:... |
BC 2003 BC Lions season The 2003 BC Lions finished in 4th place in the West Division with a 11–7 record, but they made the playoffs because of the "cross-over" rule. They appeared in the East-Semi Final... |
15 | 41 | 615 | 15.0 | 39 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2004 2004 CFL season The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:... |
BC 2004 BC Lions season The 2004 BC Lions finished in 1st place in the West Division with a 13–5 record. They won the West Final and appeared in the 92nd Grey Cup.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-Awards and records:... |
18 | 83 | 1,220 | 14.7 | 80 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 131 | 16.4 | 36 | 1 | ||
| 2005 2005 CFL season The 2005 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2005:... |
BC 2005 BC Lions season The 2005 BC Lions finished in 1st place in the West Division with a 12–6 record. They appeared in the West Final.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:- Passing:-Rushing:-Receiving:-Awards and records:... |
18 | 78 | 1,042 | 13.4 | 69 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2006 2006 CFL season -2006 Rogers CFL Awards:* CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Geroy Simon , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions... |
BC 2006 BC Lions season The 2006 BC Lions finished in 1st place in the West Division with a 13–5 record and won the 94th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.- CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:-Rushing:-Receiving:-Awards and records:... |
11 | 44 | 507 | 11.5 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 98 | 10.9 | 22 | 0 | ||
| 2007 2007 CFL season The 2007 CFL season was the 54th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 50th season of the league, and many special events were held to commemorate the event. Regular-season play began on June 28, 2007 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario and concluded on... |
BC | 18 | 86 | 1,158 | 13.5 | 93 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 22 | 0 | ||
| 2008 2008 CFL season The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL... |
BC 2008 BC Lions season The 2008 BC Lions finished the season in third place in the Western Division with a 11–7 record. The Lions appeared in the CFL Western Final.- CFL Draft:... |
15 | 50 | 640 | 12.8 | 36 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 64 | 10.7 | 18 | 0 | ||
| 2009 2009 CFL season The 2009 CFL season was the 56th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 52nd season of the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes won the 97th Grey Cup on November 29 with a last second 28–27 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders... |
SSK 2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders season The 2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders season was the 52nd season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders attempted to win their 4th Grey Cup championship but lost to the Alouettes in the Grey Cup final.... |
16 | 23 | 317 | 13.8 | 65 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 46 | 15.3 | 30 | 0 | ||
| 2010 2010 CFL season The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28... |
SSK 2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season The 2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season was the 53rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders attempted to win their 4th Grey Cup championship, but they lost to the Montreal Alouettes... |
18 | 27 | 300 | 11.1 | 35 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 115 | 14.4 | 32 | 1 | ||
| 2011 2011 CFL season The 2011 CFL season was the 58th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 54th season of the league. The complete schedule was released on February 18 and featured the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes opening the season against the visiting BC Lions on... |
SSK 2011 Saskatchewan Roughriders season The 2011 Saskatchewan Roughriders season is the 54th season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders finished 4th place in the West division with a 5–13 record and were eliminated from the playoffs after a loss to the BC Lions on October 16, 2011... |
18 | 23 | 232 | 10.1 | 25 | 1 | ||||||||
| CFL totals | 165 | 501 | 6,756 | 13.5 | 93 | 38 | 15 | 42 | 570 | 13.6 | 36 | 2 | |||