Nereo Bolzon
Former Canadian football player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nereo Bolzon (born July 27, 1960) is a Canadian former professional football linebacker who played one season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was a territorial exemption of the Eskimos in the 1982 CFL draft. He played college football at the University of Alberta.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| No. 36[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 27, 1960 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Bonnie Doon Composite (Bonnie Doon, Edmonton) |
| University | Alberta (1979–1981) |
| CFL draft | 1982 |
| Career history | |
| 1982–1983 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 1984 | Montreal Concordes* |
| 1984 | Calgary Stampeders |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Early life
Nereo Bolzon was born on July 27, 1960, in Edmonton.[1][2] He played high school football at Bonnie Doon Composite High School in Bonnie Doon, Edmonton.[3]
Bolzon played college football for the Alberta Golden Bears of the University of Alberta from 1979 to 1981 and was a starting linebacker.[1][3] He helped Alberta win the Western Intercollegiate Football League (WIFL) title all three years he was with the team, including a victory in the 16th Vanier Cup in 1980.[3] Bolzon earned first-team All-WIFL honors in 1981.[3]
Professional career
Bolzon was a territorial exemption of the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1982 CFL draft.[4] He officially signed with the team on May 5, 1982.[3] During training camp, he competed with Bill Manchuk for the Eskimos' backup linebacker position.[5][6] However, they both ended up making the team.[6] The Edmonton Journal noted that "the muscular 21-year-old Bolzon — a crushing tackler whose bodybuilder's physique is a reasonable facsimile of veteran Tom Towns' — seems destined for a future starting spot."[6] He played in seven games for the Eskimos during the 1982 season, mostly on special teams, and returned one kickoff for 16 yards.[1][7] He was placed on the injured list on September 1, 1982.[8] Bolzon remained on the injured list as the Eskimos won the 70th Grey Cup against the Toronto Argonauts on November 28, 1982.[9][10] After the retirement of Manchuk, Bolzon was poised to be the Eskimos top backup linebacker but ended up missing the entire 1983 season after undergoing knee surgery during the preseason.[7][11]
On June 13, 1984, Bolzon was traded to the Montreal Concordes for future considerations, contingent on if he made the regular season roster.[12] However, on June 26 before the start of the season, it was reported that Bolzon had been released.[13][14]
Bolzon was signed to a 21-day trial by the Calgary Stampeders on July 9, 1984.[15][16] He did not play in any games for the team.[1]