ELF: Helvetic Guards sign French DB Maceo Beard

| American Football | 11/09/2022

The Helvetic Guards have signed defensive back Maceo Beard ahead of their inaugural season in the European League of Football next year.

The young talent out of Paris, France, joins the Switzerland-based team after a winding journey of a season this past year. 

After an impressive performance at CFL Global Combine in Bristol, England, Beard was drafted in the Canadian Football League’s Global Draft in May by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. However, he did not last long with the team.  In June, he signed with the Berlin Thunder of the European League of Football.  Unfortunately, his season only lasted about a month, as he suffered a broken ankle after playing just four games.  In those games, he racked up 11 tackles and two interceptions for the Thunder.  Beard has also previously played with French national team and the Potsdam Royals of the German Football League for part of the 2021 season where in eight games he recorded 14 tackles including one tackle for loss and two interceptions.

Guards head coach Norm Chow was happy with the signing:

“We are extremely excited to receive a commitment from our first European import.  Maceo Beard is an outstanding football player and person both on and off the field.  We are truly blessed that he has decided to become a member of the Guards.” 

Chow and defensive coordinator Otis Smith are expecting big things from the Frenchman, who has already proven to be a standout talent in the ELF.

A current student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carter played football in high school and has been a lifelong avid football fan.