Former Stampeders punter Burke Dales passes away at age 46

Calgary Stampeders (Wikimedia Commons)

According to the Canadian Press on Sunday, former Calgary Stampeders punter Burke Dales of Collingwood, Ontario passed away at the age of 46. Dales spent nine seasons in the Canadian Football League. He was with the Stampeders for seven seasons from 2005 to 2011, two seasons with Edmonton from 2012 to 2013, and one season with the Montreal Alouettes in 2013.

Dales had 824 punts over nine seasons, for 37653 yards. He averaged 45.7 yards per punt, and once had an 86-yard punt during his rookie season, in a 32-11 Stampeders loss to the Montreal Alouettes on October 1, 2005. It was the longest punt during the 2005 Canadian Football League season according to CBC Sports.

During his CFL career, Dales had one catch for 11 receiving yards while with the Calgary Stampeders in 2006, and one rush for 12 rushing yards with Edmonton in 2012. He was also part of the Stampeders team that won the 2008 Grey Cup. Calgary defeated the Montreal Alouettes 22-14 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec.

Dales played his College Football with the Concordia Stingers of Canadian Interuniversity Sport. He was a CFL All-Star while with the Stampeders in 2010 and 2011. The cause of death has so far not been released.

In other CFL news, the Edmonton Elks have signed quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. He has prior experience with the Toronto Argonauts.

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