Jamel Richardson did not come from a big name school like USC or Ohio State, but the Victor Valley College product turned out to be among the best receivers to play in the CFL. Richardson initially signed with Saskatchewan in 2003 and played with the Riders until 2006. Injuries limited Richardson to playing just 30 games in those four years, but the NFL Dallas Cowboy saw enough promise in the tall receiver to sign him as afree agent in 2007.

Richardson returned to the CFL in 2008 with the Montreal Alouettes where his career really took off. Richardson wracked up five straight 1000+ seasons with the Als from 2008 to 2012 and twice he had over 100 receptions in a season. Richardson won a pair of Grey Cup rings with victories over his old team (Saskatchewan) in 2009 and 2010.

Alouettes ink Jamel Richardson to a new 3-year deal
Montreal, March 22, 2013
The Alouettes announced on Friday the signing of import slotback Jamel Richardson to a new three-year deal with the club. 

Richardson (6'3", 215 lbs.) reached the 1,000-yard receiving plateau for a fifth consecutive season with the Alouettes in 2012 after hauling in a team-high 63 passes and finishing the year as the team's second-leading receiver with 1,016 yards and five touchdowns in only 15 games.

The two-time CFL All-Star also tied his former teammate Kerry Watkins for third place on the Als' all-time career receiving touchdowns list when he caught No. 48 on October 14 against the Argonauts in Toronto on a spectacular 75-yard play. Richardson is now only 17 TDs shy of the club record held by Ben Cahoon.

"Jamel has obviously flourished in an Alouettes uniform. He has become one of the most identifiable players we have," admitted Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp. "When we play teams, he is a force to be reckoned with. Though he had an off-year last season (due to injuries), we expect Jamel to continue his climb as one of the best in the CFL."

The 31-year-old had his biggest game of 2012 in Week 17, amassing a season-high 161 yards on eight receptions against the Saskatchewan Roughriders en route to earning CFL offensive player of the week honours.

Richardson has led the team in receiving yards three out of the past five seasons and has reeled in 454 passes for 6,401 yards in his five seasons with Montreal. The Syracuse, NY native also set a league record for 100-yard games in a single season with 12 and tied the team record for most receptions in a season with 112 in 2011. That historic season also saw him rack up a league-high 1,777 receiving yards, good for second all-time in Alouettes history.

Richardson suffered a knee injury partway through the 2013 season and was released by Montreal prior to the 2014 season. The Toronto Argonauts signed Richardson, but he failed the medical and did not play the entire 2014 season. Saskatchewan signed Richardson in Decembe, 2014.

Richardson Lives Up To Reputation - July 8, 2011

Richardson's Record Hollow as Als Miss Chance - October 31, 2011

Richardson signs deal with Rider