Dimitri Tsoumpas OOM-pus(born September 26, 1985) is a former

gridiron football Gridiron football ( ),"Gridiron football"
''Encyclopædia Britannica'' ...

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

who last played for the

Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium a ...

of the

Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League (CFL; , LCF) is a Professional gridiron football, professional Canadian football league in Canada. It comprises nine teams divided into two divisions, with four teams in the East Division (CFL), East Division and f ...

(CFL). He was drafted by the Stampeders second overall in the 2008 CFL Draft. He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

for Weber State.

College career

After playing for three straight city championship teams at

Strathcona Composite High School Strathcona High School, colloquially referred to as Scona and SCHS, is a public high school located in Edmonton, Alberta. The school was referred to as Strathcona Composite High School until 2014. A $6.1 million modernization project was complet ...

he signed on to play at

Weber State University Weber State University (pronounced ) is a public university in Ogden, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy and earned its current name in 1991. As of fall 2023, the student population reached 30,536 students, cons ...

. As a true freshman, Tsoumpas was a part of the starting lineup until he was injured. As a junior in 2006 he was named Honorable Mention All- Big Sky. During his senior season, Tsoumpas helped Weber State allow the fewest sacks in the conference, he also helped Trevyn Smith lead the Big Sky in rushing yards for the second year in a row. He was named Second-team All-Big Sky.

Professional career

Calgary Stampeders

At the 2008

CFL Draft The CFL draft (also known as the CFL Canadian draft, CFL college draft, or the Canadian college draft) is an annual sports draft in which the teams of the Canadian Football League (CFL) select eligible Canadian Football League#Players and compens ...

Evaluation Camp, Tsoumpas benched 30 times to be one the leaders in that category at the camp. He was considered a possible top pick in the draft, however it was heavily rumored he could try to make an

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...

team. A few days before the draft, the

Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at Commonwealth Stadium. The E ...

were reportedly considering Tsoumpas, Keith Shologan and

Samuel Giguere Samuel is a figure who, in the narratives of the Hebrew Bible, plays a key role in the transition from the biblical judges to the United Kingdom of Israel under Saul, and again in the monarchy's transition from Saul to David. He is venerated a ...

. However Shologan and Giguere signed contracts with NFL teams. After a draft day trade with the

, the

acquired the second overall pick in the 2008 CFL Draft and used it to draft Tsoumpas. He was named the starting right

, while fellow rookie

Jesse Newman Jesse Newman (born September 23, 1982) is a former Canadian football guard for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted in the first round with the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 CFL Draft by the Ca ...

was the starting left guard. He debuted for Calgary, in week one against the

BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Lions compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and play their home games at BC Place. The Lions playe ...

. Tsoumpas started all 18 games including all playoff games which included the

96th Grey Cup The 96th Grey Cup was held in Montreal, Quebec at Olympic Stadium on November 23, 2008. The East Division champion Montreal Alouettes hosted the West Division champion Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders won the game 22–14, with quarterback Hen ...

. He helped Calgary's

running back A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive American football plays#Offensive terminology, handoffs from the quarterback to Rush (American football)#Offense ...

s average 134.6 yards per game with 6.4 yards per carry. He was also key in helping the Stampeders allow the fewest sacks in the CFL.

Joffrey Reynolds Joffrey Roy Reynolds (born November 26, 1979) is a former professional Canadian football running back. He played eight years for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League where he was the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 9, ...

the CFL's leading rusher gained 1,310 yards with the help of Tsoumpas. Following the season he was Calgary's nominee for the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award. Tsoumpas was expected to remain a starter in 2009. After sustaining a concussion during the

2013 CFL season The 2013 CFL season was the 60th season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it was the 56th season of the Canadian Football League. The pre-season began on June 12, 2013 and the regular season began on June 27, 2013. Regina, Saskatch ...

, Tsoumpas announced his retirement on January 29, 2014.

Miami Dolphins

Tsoumpas agreed to terms with the

Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...

of the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

on January 8, 2010. Tsoumpas was waived on July 30 and returned to the

References

External links

Calgary Stampeders bioWeber State Wildcats bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsoumpas, Dimitri 1985 births Living people American football offensive guards Calgary Stampeders players Canadian football offensive linemen Players of American football from Alberta Miami Dolphins players Players of Canadian football from Alberta Canadian football people from Edmonton Weber State Wildcats football players