Former CFL linebacker Jonathan Beaulieu-Richard passes away from cancer at age 33

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Former CFL linebacker Jonathan Beaulieu-Richard has passed away after a battle with cancer, according to a report from Bulletin Sportif. He was just 33.

After going unselected in the 2012 CFL Draft, Beaulieu-Richard played parts of four seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes, and Ottawa Redblacks. He dressed in 26 career games, recording 16 special teams tackles and another on defence.

The six-foot-one, 215-pound defender was an outstanding collegiate player for the Université de Montréal Carabins, playing five seasons and serving as team captain. Beaulieu-Richard amassed 180.5 tackles over that span, including his final year in 2012 in which he made 43.5 stops and was named an RSEQ all-star.

The native of Trois-Rivieres went on to become a pharmacist following his retirement from football and ran for political office in the riding of Maskinongé in 2018. He was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoma last September and leaves behind a wife and two kids.