The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Thursday that they had signed American all-star defensive back Deatrick Nichols to a two-year deal.
Nichols was set to hit the open market in February.
The five-foot-nine, 180-pound Miami native has made 126 defensive tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and one forced fumble in 47 career regular-season games for Winnipeg.
He was a CFL all-star in 2021 and helped the Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup in 2021.
Nichols collected 37 defensive tackles in 18 games last season as Winnipeg advanced to its fourth consecutive Grey Cup final, where they were defeated 28-24 by the Montreal Alouettes in Hamilton.
Deatrick Nichols (born June 8, 1994) is a Canadian Football League (CFL) cornerback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his debut season with the Blue Bombers in 2021, Nichols won the Grey Cup. He went to South Florida for college football.
On February 5, 2021, Nichols joined with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[26] He had a fantastic debut season with the defending Grey Cup champion Bombers, contributing to a secondary and defense that led the league in yards and points allowed. Nichols was named a CFL All-Star in his rookie season after recording 46 tackles, one sack, and three interceptions.
Nichols’ outstanding play continued into the postseason, as the Bombers successfully defended their title against the host Tiger-Cats in the 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton. Winnipeg trailed 22-10 in the fourth quarter, but the squad rallied and the defense held strong as they won 33-25 in overtime to repeat as champions. Nichols had a crucial pass knockdown on the final play of regulation, as well as tipping a pass in overtime, which resulted in an interception that sealed the victory.
