April 24, 2010

LENNOXVILLE, Que. – Shawn Gore of the Bishop's University Gaiters football team has reached a tryout agreement with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. The signing came on Saturday evening after the conclusion of the NFL's annual draft.

Gore, the reigning Bishop's Male Athlete of the Year, is the third Gaiter to try out with an NFL team, following running back Jamall Lee, who attended the Carolina Panthers' training camp last season, and offensive lineman Mark Hatfield, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in 1995.

The fourth-year receiver from Toronto led the Gaiters in the 2009 regular season with 32 catches for 496 yards and five touchdowns, and was third on the team with 7.0 special teams tackles (five solo, four assisted). In addition, posted a career-high 114 yards on seven catches in the Gaiters' playoff loss at Montreal on November 7.

Over his career, Gore has gained 1172 yards receiving on 72 catches in 29 regular-season games, and he currently has a 21-game pass catching streak.

Gore is rated tenth overall on the CFL Amateur Scouting Bureau's prospect list, the highest-rated receiver on the list. At last month's CFL Evaluation Camp, his 40-yard time of 4.50 seconds was tied for fourth overall, and his 10-yard time of 1.44 seconds was second. He also tied for third in the broad jump with 10' 3" and was fourth in the vertical jump at 39.5"

Gore will report to the Packers' mini-camp on Thursday