Ottawa Redblacks

Longtime CFL defender Justin Howell signs with Rhein Fire

by
3Down Staff
March 2, 2026

Photo: Chris Hofley/Ottawa Redblacks

Canadian defensive back Justin Howell has signed with the Rhein Fire of the American Football League Europe (AFLE).

The 32-year-old played six regular-season games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2025, recording eight defensive tackles.

The five-foot-eleven, 198-pound defender was originally a seventh-round pick in the 2018 CFL Draft out of Carleton University. He played seven seasons with the Redblacks, making 115 defensive tackles, 31 special teams tackles, five forced fumbles, and one sack.

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The native of Brampton, Ont. became a free agent last month following the expiration of his contract with Ottawa.

The AFLE was recently established after several teams splintered off the European League of Football (ELF). The league has teams based in Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Based in Düsseldorf, the Fire have gone 38-10 since their inception and won back-to-back ELF championships in 2023 and 2024.