Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Calgary Stampeders' Damien Alford, front left, is tackled by B.C. Lions' Robert Carter Jr. after making a reception during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
By The Canadian Press

Stampeders sign former No. 1 draft pick Damien Alford, DB Lance Boykin

Jul 22, 2026 | 9:44 AM

CALGARY — Damien Alford is returning to the Calgary Stampeders.

The CFL team announced Wednesday that they’ve signed the Canadian wide receiver and defensive back Lance Boykin.

Calgary (2-4) selected Alford first overall out of Syracuse in the 2025 CFL draft. He totalled 20 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns across 15 games last season.

The 25-year-old from Montreal then signed with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints on Jan. 7 but was waived on June 17.

“We have been tracking Damien since he was released in the NFL,” Stampeders general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson said in a release. “He is a special talent. He will make us even more explosive as an offence. We are excited to bring him back.”

Abducted Four-Year Old
Amber Alert for West Kelowna child cancelled
3h ago
Supply for Ag Uses
Vernon still considering using reclaimed water for agricultural purposes
19h ago
Home Invasion and Homicide
Police investigating murder in Salmon Arm
21h ago

Boykin, meanwhile, played one game for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 before the NFL club released him following its 2024 training camp.

The 25-year-old American, who played college ball at Old Dominion and Coastal Carolina, then suited up in 19 games for the United Football League’s Memphis Showboats and Birmingham Stallions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Other Matters

Crime Concerns
Kelowna crime severity declines, but safety concerns remain
Crime severity in the Kelowna area declined in 2025, according to new Statistics Canada data, but many residents say they still have concerns about public safety.The Kelowna Census Metropolitan Area, which includes Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country and Peachland, ranked ninth highest among Canada's 41 metropolitan ar...
2h ago
Read More
Found Safe
Missing man found safe after overnight search near Mission Creek
A coordinated search involving RCMP and Kelowna Search and Rescue crews ended with a missing man being found safe late Tuesday night.Search and Rescue said it received a call around 7 p.m. asking for assistance in locating the man in the Sutherland Hills area behind Mission Creek.More than a dozen team members responde...
2h ago
Read More
Abducted Four-Year Old
Amber Alert for West Kelowna child cancelled
Police cancelled the Amber Alert issued shortly after midnight Wednesday for a missing West Kelowna boy.At 12:03 p.m. July 22 the RCMP cancelled the alert.Police did not state if the boy had been located or his condition, and also did not state if the woman who allegedly abducted him had been arrested and charged.
3h ago
Read More
Supply for Ag Uses
Vernon still considering using reclaimed water for agricultural purposes
The City of Vernon is hoping to use reclaimed water to support local agriculture producers.The city and the Regional District of North Okanagan tasked staff with conducting a feasibility assessment on using reclaimed water to top up the Goose Lake Reservoir.The idea came in response to the declining water supply and in...
19h ago
Read More
Home Invasion and Homicide
Police investigating murder in Salmon Arm
RCMP have asked for the public's help investigating a home invasion turned homicide.Police believe three suspects, two men and a woman, broke into a home in the 100 block of 4th Street SE around 3 a.m. Friday, July 17.During the home invasion, the suspects got into an altercation with a resident who was shot and later ...
21h ago
Read More
Calls for Support
City of Kelowna hiring 300 workers for 2026 municipal election
The City of Kelowna is looking for about 300 people to help run the 2026 municipal election this October.Paid positions are available for advance voting days on Oct. 7, 10, 14, 15 and 16, as well as general voting day on Oct. 17.Election workers will help with tasks including registering voters, issuing ballots, suppor...
21h ago
Read More
Emergency Response
Emergency Operation Centres getting a provincial boost
Vernon and the North Okanagan is getting an infusion of cash to help with responding to emergencies.Through a provincial investment, Vernon's EOC will receive $30,000 for training, tabletop exercises and full-scale exercises to built and test capability.Another $30,000 will go to the Regional District of North Okanagan...
22h ago
Read More
Foundry Fundraiser
Swimmer falls short of Okanagan Lake record attempt, raises $10K for youth mental health
An attempt to set a new world record by swimming the full 106-kilometre length of Okanagan Lake fell short, but the fundraising aspect of the endeavour was still successful.Jessi Harewicz had planned to swim the entire length of the lake from Vernon to Penticton in support of Foundry projects in Vernon, West Kelowna an...
22h ago
Read More
Stage 2
Water restrictions tightening for Enderby properties
Enderby will increase its water restrictions ahead of the weekend.Starting Friday, July 24, all properties connected to Enderby's drinking water system will be under Stage 2 water restrictions.Stage 2 means people with odd-numbered addresses will only be able to water their lawns and gardens using sprinklers or irrigat...
Jul 21, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Abducted Four-Year Old
Amber Alert for West Kelowna child cancelled
3h ago
Supply for Ag Uses
Vernon still considering using reclaimed water for agricultural purposes
19h ago
Home Invasion and Homicide
Police investigating murder in Salmon Arm
21h ago
Emergency Response
Emergency Operation Centres getting a provincial boost
22h ago
Stage 2
Water restrictions tightening for Enderby properties
Jul 21, 2026