Germany: Dusseldorf Panther sign former Ottawa REDBLACKs LB Burton De Koning

| American Football | 03/20/2019

The Dusseldorf Panther of the German Football League have signed linebacker Burton De Koning for the 2019 season.

The 6’2″, 235 lb De Koning played for the Grey Cup champion Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL in 2016 following an outstanding two-years at California Polytechnic State University. He spent the 2017 season with the Berlin Adler of the German Football League where he led the team in tackles with 82, including 8 tackles for loss and a sack as well as five interceptions in nine games.  The 26 year old native of Sacramento was voted most valuable defensive player for the Cal Poly Mustangs (NCAA Div I) in his senior season (2015) recording 82 tackles and three sacks. De Koning had transferred to Cal Poly from Nevada where he played in 2012 and 2013.

Panther head coach John Leijten:

 “Burton was a fantastic player in college. His talents did not go undiscovered in the CFL, so Burton was part of the Ottawa Redblack Grey Cup team. I had my eye on him in 2016/2017 and that’s why I’m so happy to have a player like Burton on the team!”

De Koning spent the 2018 season playing professional baseball with the Napa Silverados of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball.

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