Al Marcelin

Al Marcelin was a speedy cornerback and kick returner who played six years in the CFL (1970-75), all with the Ottawa Rough Riders. Marcelin broke into the CFL in a big way in 1970, recording 9 interceptions, second best in the East only to Hall of Famer Garney Henley of Hamilton.  It was also a very good year for Marcelin as a kick returner.  He had an excellent 31.4 yard kickoff return average and his 659 yards led the East that year.  Marcelin also collect both East and CFL All-Star selections in that rookie year.  Injuries curtailed Marcelin's output a bit in the next two seasons as he missed a total of 9 games, but he did still recorded 7 more interceptions total in those two years and led the East in kickoff return yardage again in 1971 despite missing four games. Also in 1971, Marcelin accomplished a fairly rare feat, returning a punt return 84 yards for a touchdown. That might not seem so unusual today, but that feat was accomplished in the no blocking on punt return era.  Back to full health, Marcelin played all 14 games in 1973 and all 16 games in 1974 as the schedule expanded and led the East in interceptions in both years with 8. Marcelin was named to the East and CFL All-Star teams in both of those seasons.  In his final CFL season, Marcelin snatched another 5 interceptions to bring his career total to 37.  1975 was also the first year for blocking on punts and Marcelin returned to punt return duty with 546 yards, fourth best in the East and added 611 yards on kickoff returns which was good for second best in the East.

 

 

GP, Interceptions and Fumble Returns
Year Team GP Int Yds Avg TDInt Long FR Yds Avg TD Long FF
1970 OTT 14 9 176 19.6 0 68 0 0 0 0 0
1971 OTT 10 5 110 22 1 62 0 0 0 0 0
1972 OTT 9 2 21 10.5 0 11 0 0 0 0 0
1973 OTT 14 8 81 10.3 0 31 0 0 0 0 0
1974 OTT 16 8 85 10.6 0 25 0 0 0 0 0
1975 OTT 16 5 52 10.4 0 23 2 4 2 0 3

 

KO and Punt Returns
Year Team KOR Yds Avg TD Long PR Yds Avg TD Long
1970 OTT 21 659 31.4 0 85 25 223 8.9 0 22
1971 OTT 16 384 24 0 38 11 250 22.7 1 84
1972 OTT 12 327 27.3 0 63 2 19 9.5 0 16
1973 OTT 20 436 21.8 0 38 0 0 0 0 0
1974 OTT 8 199 24.9 0 35 0 0 0 0 0
1975 OTT 27 611 22.6 0 51 48 546 11.4 0 95

 

Rushing and Receiving
Year Team TC Yds Avg TD Long Rec Yds Avg TD Long
1970 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
1971 OTT 2 11 5.5 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
1972 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1973 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1974 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1975 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

Fumbles+OFR
Year Team F FL OFR
1970 OTT 3 2 1
1971 OTT 2 2 0
1972 OTT 0 0 0
1973 OTT 1 1 0
1974 OTT 0 0 0
1975 OTT 1 1 0
1971 OPC Al Marcelin