Stampeders sign new defender Benny Sapp for Stampede Bowl against Toronto Argonauts

The Calgary Stampeders are starting defensive halfback Benny Sapp in Thursday's Stampede Bowl against the Toronto Argonauts, marking his debut in a Stampeders uniform after signing him to bolster a 1-2 squad.

Sapp, a 26-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will replace longtime starter Jaydon Grant, who suffered an ankle injury in last Saturday's 41-33 win over the B.C. Lions in Kelowna. Head coach Dave Dickenson said the coaching staff felt Sapp gave them the best chance on defense.

"Where Benny's got the leg up is his experience in the CFL, and he's played in the NFL," Dickenson told reporters. "It was a really close competition, but we felt like Benny gives us the best chance. One thing I know about him, he competes extremely hard. He's a tackler, he's physical, and he can also help us on special teams."

Sapp won the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan last year and said he's ready to replicate that success in Calgary. "I won the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan last year, and this was a similar situation," Sapp said. "Saskatchewan called me in August, and then they jumped me in, and I played every position out there, and I did my thing. So now I'm just trying to bring that same energy for Calgary — and I'm ready to go."

The Argonauts arrive at McMahon Stadium with a 2-1 record after upsetting defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan 40-34 in Regina last Friday. Quarterback Chad Kelly leads the CFL with nine passing touchdowns and has 1,190 passing yards on the season. Only Montreal's Davis Alexander has more yards with 1,478.

Thursday's Stampede Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m. at McMahon Stadium, broadcast on TSN5 and QR Calgary 770 AM.