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Jeremaine Copeland

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Jeremaine Copeland
Copeland with the Calgary Stampeders in 2007
Profile
PositionWide receiver
Personal information
Born (1977-02-19) February 19, 1977 (age 49)
Harriman, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
CollegeTennessee
Career history
Playing
2000Barcelona Dragons
2001Los Angeles Xtreme
2001–2004Montreal Alouettes
2005–2009Calgary Stampeders
2010–2011Toronto Argonauts
Coaching
2012Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2015Saskatchewan Roughriders
Awards and highlights
Stats at CFL.ca (archive)
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2025)

Jeremaine Arnelle Copeland (born February 19, 1977) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played with the Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as well as in the XFL and NFL Europe. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

Early life

[edit]

Copeland was born in Harriman, Tennessee. He attended Harriman High School, where he played for the Blue Devils high school football team. While at Harriman, Copeland played at both quarterback and running back.[1] During his career, he was named 2A Player of the Year and the Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club East Tennessee Player of the Year, while also earning All-State and All-Region honors. He set a school record with 65 total touchdowns and 454 total points. As a senior, he rushed 166 times for 1,503 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 51 of 115 passes for 921 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he played safety, recording 123 tackles and 11 interceptions. As a junior, he rushed for 1,110 yards, and as a sophomore, he added 810 rushing yards. In basketball, Copeland averaged 27 points and seven rebounds per game. He also competed in track and field, finishing fourth in the state decathlon as a junior.[2]

College career

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Copeland attended the University of Tennessee, where he played under head coach Phillip Fulmer from the 1995 season to the 1998 season.[3][4][5]

As a freshman in 1995, he split time with reserve quarterback Jeremy Bates behind starter Peyton Manning. He appeared in seven games, completing five of seven passes for 49 yards, while also ranking third on the team with 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He made his collegiate debut against Florida, rushing for 35 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The following week, he scored another rushing touchdown in a 52–14 victory over Mississippi State.[6]

In 1996, he appeared in all 12 games for the Volunteers.[7] He served as the primary backup to Manning, while also contributing as a wide receiver and punt returner. At quarterback, he completed 10 of 15 passes for 85 yards, while adding 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. As a receiver, he caught 16 passes for 191 yards, and he also returned 11 punts for 113 yards. He recorded at least one reception in nine of the 12 games.[8]

In 1997, he transitioned to wide receiver as Tee Martin moved into the backup role behind Manning. He appeared in all 13 games with six starts and recorded a reception in every game. Against Southern Miss, he had a career-high 11 receptions for 137 yards in a 44–20 victory. He finished the season with 62 receptions for 762 yards and nine touchdowns.[9]

As a senior in 1998, Copeland recorded 29 receptions for 455 yards and one touchdown as Tennessee finished with a 13–0 record and captured the national championship. The Volunteers secured the title with a 23–16 victory over Florida State in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, in which Copeland recorded one reception for 15 yards.[10][11] For his career, he totaled 103 receptions for 1,361 yards and 10 touchdowns.[12] As a quarterback, he completed 17 of 24 passes for 199 yards, while also rushing for 145 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 34 punts for 269 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per return.[13]

Professional career

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Copeland played a year of NFL Europe football for the Barcelona Dragons.[14] He ended the season with a team leading 74 receptions for 821 yards, for an 11.1 yards per reception average, and six touchdowns.[15][16]

Copeland began his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes in 2001 and played six games.[17] During that season, he played at wide receiver with the XFL's champion Los Angeles Xtreme.[18] He scored a 19-yard receiving touchdown in the championship game.[19] After beginning the 2002 season in the Dallas Cowboys' training camp,[20] Copeland returned to the Alouettes and contributed to their Grey Cup championship that year.[21] Copeland picked up CFL all-star honours in 2003 after piling up 99 receptions and 1,757 receiving yards.[22][23] Along with teammate slotback Ben Cahoon, Copeland set a CFL record for most receiving yards by two teammates, amassing 3,318 yards between them.[24][25] In 2004, Copeland was one of four receivers with the Alouettes to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark (the others were Cahoon, Thyron Anderson, and Kwame Cavil).[26]

In 2005, Copeland was lured west to join the Calgary Stampeders after he entered free agency.[27] Although his statistics did not reach the same levels as those achieved with the Alouettes, Copeland became infamous for their elaborate touchdown celebrations, including a "human bicycle" during the 2005 season,[17] and the "bobsled" at the endzone pylon during the 2006 season.[28] On November 23, 2008, Copeland and teammates of the Calgary Stampeders won the Grey Cup against the hosting Montreal Alouettes, 22–14.[29] In 2009, Copeland enjoyed his best season since 2003 when he recorded 1,235 receiving yards and led the league with 12 receiving touchdowns, earning CFL all-star honours that year.[30][23]

On February 17, 2010, Copeland was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for wide receiver P. K. Sam.[31] He was elected as the team's offensive captain, leading an inexperienced receiving corps and being a crutch for inexperienced CFL quarterback Cleo Lemon.[32] On November 3, 2011, he surpassed the 10,000 career receiving yards mark, becoming the 15th CFL player to reach the milestone.[33][34]

On January 25, 2012, Copeland officially retired from the CFL after 11 seasons in professional football.[35][36]

Copeland was announced as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame 2025 class on June 12, 2025.[37]

Coaching career

[edit]

After announcing his retirement from professional football, Copeland was named the wide receivers coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, joining former offensive coordinator George Cortez who was the team's head coach at the time.[38] Following the 2012 season, Copeland left the Tiger-Cats to complete his degree at the University of Tennessee.[39]

On February 20, 2015, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that Copeland would be their new receivers coach.[39][40]

Career statistics

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CFL

[edit]
Receiving   Regular season   Playoffs
Year Team Games No. Yards Avg Long TD Games No. Yards Avg Long TD
2001 MTL 7 13 182 14.0 26 1
2002 MTL 5 18 352 19.6 41 4 2 5 119 23.8 47 1
2003 MTL 18 99 1,757 17.7 57 14 2 14 185 13.2 26 0
2004 MTL 16 83 1,154 13.9 42 10 1 7 98 14.0 42 0
2005 CGY 18 64 1,211 18.9 70 8 1 4 88 22.0 48 0
2006 CGY 18 54 978 18.1 70 6 1 3 63 21.0 28 0
2007 CGY 18 67 1,110 16.6 84 10 1 3 44 14.7 20 0
2008 CGY 18 52 763 14.7 60 7 2 10 96 9.6 29 0
2009 CGY 18 81 1,235 15.2 57 12 2 8 93 11.6 19 1
2010 TOR 14 48 639 13.3 50 3 2 11 121 11.0 28 1
2011 TOR 18 43 633 14.7 45 0 Team did not qualify
MTL totals 46 213 3,445 16.2 57 29 5 26 402 15.5 47 1
CGY totals 90 318 5,297 16.7 84 43 7 28 384 13.7 48 1
TOR totals 32 91 1,272 14.0 50 3 2 11 121 11.0 28 1
CFL totals 168 622 10,014 16.1 84 75 14 65 907 14.0 48 3

NFLE

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Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2000Barcelona 10107482111.1426
Career10107482111.1426

Source:[41]

XFL

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Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2001LA 10106775511.3345
Career10106775511.3345

Postseason

Year Team Games Receiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2001LA 22812215.3262
Career22812215.3262

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Link, Dave (August 21, 2016). "Harriman's victory over rival Kingston 'something special'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  2. ↑ "1997 Football Guide". University of Tennessee Libraries Digital Collections. University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Jermaine Copeland – Football". University of Tennessee Athletics. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ Harig, Bob (January 2, 1998). "Fulmer: Emotion factor is overrated". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  5. ↑ Winnett, William (December 30, 2022). "Peyton's Last Stand: The 1998 Orange Bowl". WBIR.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "1995 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "1998 Football Guide". University of Tennessee Libraries Digital Collections. University of Tennessee, Knoxville. p. 29. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ "1996 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "1997 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Harralson, Dan (August 8, 2021). "Tennessee defeats Florida State to win 1998 national championship". Vols Wire. USA Today. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  11. ↑ "28th Annual Fiesta Bowl – Fiesta Bowl". Fiesta Bowl. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  12. ↑ "1998 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  13. ↑ "1999 Football Guide". University of Tennessee Libraries Digital Collections. University of Tennessee, Knoxville Special Collections. p. 151. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Barcelona 28, Scotland 25". UPI. June 17, 2000. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Jeremaine Copeland football statistics". StatsCrew. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Jeremaine Copeland player profile". NFL Europe. National Football League. August 16, 2000. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Cope-ing with greatness". Calgary Stampeders. May 26, 2016. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ "2001 Los Angeles Xtreme (XFL)". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  19. ↑ "XFL Million Dollar Game Recap". All-XFL. April 22, 2001. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Washington, Copeland Are Back". OurSports Central. September 24, 2002. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ Epps, Darren (September 5, 2008). "Tennessee: Ex-Vol Copeland idolized for his CFL play in Calgary". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Copeland: "I'm not going to let him down"". CFL.ca. June 14, 2011. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Argos receiver Copeland retires after stellar career". CBC.ca. Canadian Press. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  24. ↑ Bucholtz, Andrew (January 25, 2012). "An ode to Jeremaine Copeland: 10 memorable moments from his football career". Yahoo! Sports Canada. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Ben Cahoon Dominating". OurSports Central. September 3, 2003. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  26. ↑ Baines, Tim (October 23, 2015). "RedBlacks' receiving corps taking aim at 1,000 yards". Ottawa Sun. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  27. ↑ Griffith, Mike (September 5, 2009). "Long and winding road has Copeland in Calgary". Knoxville News Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  28. ↑ "So you think you can dance?". CFL.ca. August 29, 2006. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ Francis, Eric (June 10, 2009). "Former Vol Copeland Takes Any Role in Bid for Cup Repeat". University of Tennessee Athletics. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Argonauts acquire receiver Copeland". The Globe and Mail. February 17, 2010. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Argos cut ties with Sam, two others". CFL.ca. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Cleo Lemon throws game-winning touchdown in Argos win Saturday". KAIT8. October 10, 2010. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Copeland chases career milestone against Ticats". Sportsnet.ca. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Argo receiver Jeremaine Copeland retires". The Globe and Mail. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Copeland retires, joins Ticats coaching staff". CFL.ca. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Jeremaine Copeland Announces Retirement". OurSports Central. January 25, 2012. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Jeremaine Copeland, Bryan Chiu highlight CFHOF Class of 2025". Canadian Football League. June 12, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  38. ↑ Caldwell, Fraser (October 17, 2012). "Hamilton Tiger-Cats". TiCats.ca. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  39. 1 2 "Riders add two coaches to staff". The StarPhoenix. February 21, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  40. ↑ McCormick, Murray (May 6, 2015). "Chamblin wants Riders to be "one of the elite teams" in CFL". Leader-Post. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Scores". NFL Europe. National Football League. August 15, 2000. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
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