WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Former Saint Francis University football defensive back Jermaine Ponder has signed a contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, the organization announced Wednesday.
 
The Blue Bombers are back-to-back Grey Cup Champions in 2019 and 2021. Ponder was previously signed by the Montreal Alouettes on Feb. 24, 2021 and was part of their practice squad during the season.
 
The Rochester, N.Y. native was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019. During the 2019 preseason, he appeared with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans and recorded an interception against the Los Angeles Rams as a member of the Texans. He was later signed by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL and his season abruptly ended shortly after his promotion to the Dragons' active roster on March 3, 2020.
 
Ponder spent four seasons with the Red Flash and had 34 total tackles, 18 pass defends, two interceptions and one tackle for loss in 35 games. His 15 pass breakups in 2018 are the second-highest mark in single-season program history. The 2018 mark ranked fifth in the FCS and he earned All-NEC Second Team honors.
 
In his 2016 redshirt sophomore season, Ponder was part of the only NEC Title-winning team when Saint Francis defeated Central Connecticut 31-21. That season's 5-1 conference record is the best in Saint Francis history.
 
The Blue Bombers kick off their preseason on Monday, May 23 at 5 p.m. against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and begin their regular season on Friday, June 10 at 8:30 p.m. against the Ottawa Redblacks.