October 18, 2004
INFORMATION: John McElwain or Bruce Battle, (661) 362-3494 or 3432
College Produces First NFL Player Since Football Reinstated in 1998
The College of the Canyons football program lay dormant for 17 years before it was brought back to life under current head coach Chuck Lyon in 1998. It took about a third of that time to produce its first NFL player.
Former Cougar wide receiver Jamall Broussard, who signed as an undrafted free-agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in the pre-season and was assigned to their practice squad, was signed by the Carolina Panthers on October 13 and played in the Panthers 30-8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October 17.
Broussard was brought in primarily for returning kicks for the Panthers, who lost their two top returners wide receivers Steve Smith and Rod Smart to injuries this season. In Sunday's game, Broussard retuned three kicks for 54 yards, including a long of 21.
"We just felt (Broussard) had a chance to give us some explosion, so we signed him," Panther head coach John Fox told the Charlotte Observer last Wednesday.
Broussard led the Cougars in receiving yards in 2001, amassing 423 yards and five touchdowns on 26 receptions. Broussard transferred to San Jose State in 2002, where he played for two seasons, totaling 1,396 yards and six touchdowns on 117 receptions over two seasons.
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