Moustafa Ali Explained

Position1:Defensive back
Birth Date:30 December 1965
Birth Place:Alexandria, Egypt
Cis:Carleton
High School:Confederation HS
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lbs:200
Cfldraftedyear:1989
Cfldraftedround:2
Cfldraftedpick:16
Cfldraftedteam:Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Playing Years1:
Playing Team1:Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Playing Team2:Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Playing Team3:Calgary Stampeders
Playing Team4:Winnipeg Blue Bombers*
Playing Team5:Ottawa Rough Riders
Career Footnotes:*Offseason and/or practice squad only.

Moustafa Ali (Arabic: مصطفى على; born December 30, 1965) is an Egyptian-born former Canadian football defensive back who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). After being selected in the second round of the 1989 CFL Draft, he played in 25 regular season games and recorded 21 tackles and two interceptions from 1989 to 1990. In the early 1990s, Ali participated on the practice squads of multiple teams.

Professional career

Ali was selected in the second round of the 1989 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the 16th overall pick.[1] The Blue Bombers used Ali primarily as a safety due to weaknesses in their secondary coverage.[2] Ali missed time due to an injury in October 1989.[3] During his rookie season, Ali made 21 tackles and caught two interceptions over 17 games.

In 1990, the Blue Bombers released Ali as part of their final cuts before the regular season and signed him to their practice squad.[4] [5] The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Ali in July 1990, but he was never activated to play with the Tiger-Cats. Ali went on to play eight games with the Calgary Stampeders during the 1990 season between stints on the Stampeders' practice roster.[6] [7] He spent time on the practice squads of the Blue Bombers in 1991 and the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1993.[8] [9] Ali received a tryout for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1994 but didn't make the team.[10]

Later life

Ali worked as a financial planner of the Investors Group after finishing his career in the CFL. After retiring from professional football, Ali played rugby union for the Ottawa Beavers of the Ontario Rugby Union (1997–1999) and the Ottawa Harlequins of the Rugby Canada Super League (2000).[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Maher. Tod. Gill. Bob. The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. 2013. Maher Sports Media. 978-0983513667. 143.
  2. News: Nagler. Jack. Fedunkiw. Marianne. SkyDome has Argos off balance. Globe and Mail. June 29, 1989.
  3. News: Shoalts. David. Trick play pays off for Ticats in victory over Blue Bombers. Globe and Mail. October 16, 1989.
  4. News: Deals. USA Today. July 9, 1990. 11C.
  5. News: Matsumoto. Rick. New-look Riders still winless with top draw Eskies in town. Toronto Star. July 26, 1990. B4.
  6. News: Deals. USA Today. September 7, 1990. 11C.
  7. News: Deals. USA Today. September 14, 1990. 13C.
  8. News: People Transactions. The Gazette. July 23, 1991. D10.
  9. News: Transactions People. The Gazette. September 9, 1993. F4.
  10. News: Scanlan. Wayne. 'Here's to your dream': Iffys, Maybes take shot at making Rough Riders. The Ottawa Citizen. May 8, 1994. D1.
  11. News: Yohemas-Hayes. Leanne. Two Ottawa rugby teams advance. The Ottawa Citizen. October 19, 1997. C4.
  12. News: Cleary. Martin. Casselman Stars' future in limbo. The Ottawa Citizen. June 18, 2000. B4.