John Bowman (Canadian football)


John Bowman is a professional Canadian football defensive end for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Daytona Beach Hawgs of the National Indoor Football League in 2005, and played in 2006 for the league's Rome Renegades. He played college football for Wingate. As of the end of the 2018 season, Bowman is the Montreal Alouettes' all-time leader in sacks with 134 in his career.

Professional career

Indoor football

In 2005 Bowman signed with the Daytona Beach Hawgs of the National Indoor Football League. After the Hawgs became suspended from the postseason, Bowman signed with the Sioux City Bandits of United Indoor Football. Following the 2005 season Bowman signed with the NIFL's Rome Renegades.

Montreal Alouettes

In 2006 Bowman signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. By his second season in the league Bowman had established himself as one of the CFL's best pass rushers. From 2009-2011, Bowman had 3 continuous seasons producing double digit sacks, recording 12 each year. From 2013-2016, Bowman had another double digit streak, with 11, 12, 19, and 10 sacks by year. Entering his 8th season as an Alouette, at the age of 30, Montreal extended his contract for three more seasons. Bowman suffered a partially torn bicep in Week 8 of the 2018 season. He returned and produced a 5 sack effort in his final season, giving Bowman a career total of 126. During 214 career games, Bowman also accumulated 406 tackles, 31 forced fumbles, and one touchdown, which Bowman scored in what was announced as his final home game in the CFL. However, Bowman re-signed with Montreal in February 2019. He produced another quality season, with 8 sacks, 45 tackles, another forced fumble, and his first career interception. Bowman was named a division All-Star yet again, and helped Montreal return to the playoffs for the first time in 4 seasons.
During his 14 seasons, Bowman was named a CFL-East All-Star on 9 occasions, and a CFL All-Star twice, in addition to winning a pair of Grey Cup games under head coach Marc Trestman.