Leake looking to offer boost to Edmonton Elks’ special teams in 2024
Global News
The CFL's top special-teams player last season signed a one-year deal with the Edmonton Elks as a free agent.
It certainly would be fitting if Javon Leake broke the CFL single-season record for punt-return touchdowns in 2024.
The CFL’s top special-teams player last season signed a one-year deal with the Edmonton Elks as a free agent. Leake registered a league-best four punt-return scores in 2023, one off the record set in 1991 by former Edmonton standout Henry (Gizmo) Williams and tied in 2012 by Hamilton’s Chris Williams.
“Come on, it doesn’t sound any better than that,” Leake said during a telephone interview. “To do it in an Edmonton jersey where (Williams) played, that would be perfect.
“I feel like I missed a couple of returns last year. I just have to get better, learn my new team, develop chemistry with them and I feel I can do some special things.”
Leake, 25, is definitely aware of Williams’ place in CFL history. The Hall of Famer was a special-teams dynamo over his 14 seasons in Edmonton (1986-88, 1990-2000) and still holds many league records, including all-time punt returns (1,003), yards (11,257), TDs (26), all-time kickoff returns (335) and yards (7,354).
Williams also returned three kickoffs and two missed field goals for touchdowns and had 21 TD grabs as a receiver. After scoring, Williams often celebrate by doing backflips in the end zone.
“Excitement,” Leake said. “When I hear, ‘Gizmo,’ I hear people in a stadium yelling and an announcer after a touchdown screaming ‘Gizmo.'”
The six-foot, 205-pound Leake generated his own excitement last season with the Toronto Argonauts. Leake led the league in punt returns (81 for 1,216 yards, 15-yard average) and the four return TDs were a club record.