Marcus Ball

Marcus Ball (born July 21, 1987) is a professional Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. Ball went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft but signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Ball attended Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he was voted Class 5A defensive player of the year. He played college football at Florida State, Pearl River Community College, and Memphis.[1] Ball has also been a member of the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, and Calgary Stampeders.

Marcus Ball
Ball before a Toronto Argonauts game in 2018.
Free agent
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1987-07-21) July 21, 1987
Norfolk, Virginia
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:Stephenson
(Stone Mountain, Georgia)
College:Memphis
Undrafted:2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2016
Total tackles:20
Pass deflections:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at CFL.ca

Professional career

Toronto Argonauts

After going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft Ball signed with Toronto Argonauts (CFL) on September 10, 2012.[2][3] the In two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Ball had 142 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and 4 interceptions (with 2 touchdown returns).[1] He was a key contributor to the defensive unit that helped the Argos to win the 100th Grey Cup at home in Toronto. On February 17, 2014, Ball was released by the Argonauts to pursue NFL opportunities.[4]

New Orleans Saints

Ball signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on April 2, 2014,[5] but was released on May 4, 2015.

Carolina Panthers

On May 21, 2015, Ball signed with the Carolina Panthers.[6] On September 5, 2015, he was released by the Panthers.[7] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 29.[8] During the 2015 season Ball was accused of threatening New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. while holding a baseball bat on the field prior to the game on December 20, 2015.[9] On February 7, 2016, Ball's Panthers played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[10] On February 9, 2016. Ball signed a futures contract with the Carolina Panthers.[11] On September 3, 2016, Ball was waived by the Panthers as part of final roster cuts.[12] The next day he was signed to the Panthers' practice squad.[13] On September 23, Ball was elevated to the active roster to replace injured teammate Dean Marlowe.[14] He was released on September 27, 2016.[15] He re-signed to the practice squad on September 29. He was released on October 12, 2016.[16]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On October 12, 2016, Ball was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.[17] On October 24, Ball was waived by the Jaguars.[18]

San Francisco 49ers

On November 22, 2016, Ball was signed to the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.[19] He was promoted to the active roster on November 29, 2016.[20] On May 2, 2017, Ball was waived by the 49ers.[21]

Toronto Argonauts (II)

On May 25, 2017, it was announced that Ball had signed with the Toronto Argonauts (CFL) at the start of the CFL training camp season.[22] Ball was named a CFL East All-Star for his efforts during the 2017 cFL season, contributing with 57 defensive tackles, seven special teams tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. The following season Ball played in 10 games for the Argos and amassed 44 defensive tackles. He missed the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.[23] At age 32 He was not resigned following the 2018 CFL season and became a free agent in February 2019.

Calgary Stampeders

On October 1, 2019, Ball signed with the Calgary Stampeders roughly two-thirds of the way through the 2019 CFL season.[24] However, about two weeks later it was revealed that Ball had suffered a torn ACL and would miss the remainder of the season.[25]

References
  1. Ramon Antonio Vargas, "Free agent safety Marcus Ball chasing NFL dream with Saints" Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, The Advocate, August 15, 2014.
  2. 2012 Transactions Archived 2013-01-15 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Jeff Krever, "Linebacker Marcus Ball a dream fit for Argos" Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine, CFL.ca, September 27, 2012.
  4. Boatmen release LB Marcus Ball
  5. Saints agree with safety Marcus Ball
  6. Alper, Josh (May 21, 2015). "Panthers sign safety Marcus Ball". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  7. Henson, Max (September 5, 2015). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  8. "MARCUS BALL". foxsports.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  9. "New Video Shows Confrontation Between Odell Beckham Jr. And Bat-Carrying Panthers Player". Deadspin. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  10. "Super Bowl 50 – Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers – February 7th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  11. "Panthers sign eight practice squad members to future contracts". www.panthers.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  12. Henson, Max (September 3, 2016). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com.
  13. Henson, Max (September 4, 2016). "Panthers establish practice squad". Panthers.com.
  14. Henson, Max. "Injury Report: Short, Turner questionable". Panthers.com.
  15. "Panthers sign DT Kyle Love, S Michael Griffin". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  16. "Panthers make practice squad move". Panthers.com. October 12, 2016.
  17. "Jaguars Sign DB Marcus Ball To Practice Squad".
  18. Bouda, Nate (October 24, 2016). "Jaguars Waive DB Marcus Ball From Practice Squad, Sign DB Doran Grant". NFL Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  19. "49ers Place S Eric Reid on Injured Reserve, Announce Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 22, 2016.
  20. "49ers Place LB Shayne Skov on Injured Reserve, Promote S Marcus Bell to Active Roster". 49ers.com. November 29, 2016.
  21. "49ers Announce Several Roster Moves". 49ers.com. May 2, 2017.
  22. "Argos agree to terms with DB Ball – Article – TSN". TSN. 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  23. TSN ca Staff (2018-09-07). "Argos to place LB Ball on 6-game IL - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  24. TSN ca Staff (2019-10-01). "Calgary Stampeders sign LB Ball to deal - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  25. TSN ca Staff (2019-10-14). "Recent Calgary Stampeders signee Marcus Ball has torn ACL - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
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