Feb. 4, 2009

LAS VEGAS - After becoming a star in the pro ranks north of the border, former UNLV running back and kick returner Dominique Dorsey (2001-04) will finally get his chance to make it in the NFL.

The Toronto Argonauts announced Wednesday that their most decorated player from last season has left the franchise and signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Redskins. Dorsey became an Argo on July 23, 2007, after a previous stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Toronto General Manager Adam Rita said in a statement: "Congratulations to Dominique on this well-deserved opportunity. He is an amazing person and player who will truly be missed ... He is a hard player to replace."

Dorsey was named Canadian Football League's Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2008, and was a unanimous choice for the team's most outstanding player award. Despite missing five games due to injury, he ended the season as the CFL's all-purpose yards leader by nearly 150 yards. The 2007 and 2008 East Division Outstanding Special Teams Player was named CFL Special Teams Player of the Week four times and CFL Special Teams Player of the Month twice.

"First of all, I want to thank the Argonauts organization and its staff for giving me the opportunity to continue my dream to play football when no one else would," Dorsey said in a statement. "I had the most fun playing in the CFL these past two years with the Argos. It was a tough decision to leave - I felt like I made a home for myself in Toronto and wanted to win a Grey Cup there badly. I showcased my best abilities in Toronto but needed to pursue this opportunity in Washington at this point in my career."

The 5-foot-7 sparkplug out of Tulare, Calif., is the last Rebel to have rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, going for a MWC-leading 1,261 as a senior in 2004. He also finished sixth all-time at UNLV with a kickoff return average of 23.4.