It's with a heavy heart that we report the passing of former football linebacker Cameron Ontko, who left us at the age of 33. Ontko, known for his tenacity on the field, played in the CFL and had a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. His mother, Brenda Boulton, shared on social media that he passed away on March 7 due to a ruptured ulcer.
Cameron's journey in football began at Wisconsin before he transferred to California Polytechnic State University. Cal Poly expressed their condolences, stating, “Cal Poly mourns the loss of former linebacker Cameron Ontko. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and former teammates.”
Ontko's football career was marked by resilience and determination. After participating in the Buccaneers' rookie minicamp, he ventured into the CFL, spending three seasons with teams like the Calgary Stampeders, BC Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Though he went undrafted, his drive never wavered.
His college career was impressive, racking up 257 tackles, 15 for loss, along with two sacks and two interceptions. However, concerns over health, particularly head injuries, led him to retire from football at 26 in 2018.
Cameron's legacy is one of passion and perseverance. He will be remembered fondly by those who knew him on and off the field.
Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.