Back in the summer of 2022, a diminutive rookie wide receiver made a big splash in Detroit Lions training camp. Kalil Pimpleton, all 5-foot-8 and 172 pounds of him, captivated the fans in Allen Park practices as well as viewing audiences in the preseason with his quickness, speed and joie de vivre.
Pimpleton finished second on the Lions that preseason in both catches and yards, hauling in three passes in all three exhibition games in 2022.
Pimpleton ultimately didn’t make the Lions roster that year, but the Central Michigan alum has found a new place to thrive. Pimpleton is now playing for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.
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The Muskegon native seized the night with a dazzling performance in his debut north of the border. Pimpleton caught four passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in Ottawa’s win over Edmonton. His final catch set up the game-winning field goal with just two seconds left on the clock, too.
BURSTING ONTO THE SCENE 💥
Kalil Pimpleton makes the catch and runs 70 yards passed everyone for his first #CFL TD!#CFLGameday on TSN & CBS SN
📲: Stream on CFL+ pic.twitter.com/kMEedv6Ygd— CFL (@CFL) July 15, 2024
Right on cue: Kalil Pimpleton (@231_Peezy) scores in his CFL debut!
He’s up to 124 yards on three catches after a 70-yard touchdown on the slant!pic.twitter.com/Ptc6BumKSv
— Hustle Belt (@HustleBelt) July 15, 2024
It didn’t work out for Pimpleton in Detroit, or with the New York Giants in 2023, but he sure looks good in his new Canadian home. Congrats to Pimpleton.