Star linebacker Simoni Lawrence returning to Hamilton for ninth season

HAMILTON – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed star linebacker Simoni Lawrence.

The 32-year-old was the East Division’s nominee for the 2021 CFL outstanding defensive player after posting 73 defensive tackles, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns over the pandemic-shortened 14-game season.

He was named a CFL all-star for the third time in his career, and an East Division all-star for the fifth time.

Lawrence added six tackles in Hamilton’s 33-25 overtime loss to Winnipeg in the Grey Cup.

The six-foot-one, 231-pound native of Upper Darby, Pa., who is known for his penchant for trash talk, has played 127 games over eight seasons with the Ticats (2013-21) and leads the franchise in total tackles (609) and defensive tackles (602).

He spent one season with Edmonton (2012), registering 26 total tackles before being traded to Hamilton in 2013.

“Simoni’s energy and personality is infectious,” Orlondo Steinauer, Hamilton’s president of football operations and head coach, said in a release.

“He is an all-time Tiger-Cat and an all-time person and we could not be happier that he and his family have chosen to remain in Hamilton and with the Tiger-Cats organization.”

Also Friday, the Ticats announced a two-year extension with running back Don Jackson.

Jackson played four regular-season games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2021, registering 44 carries for 245 yards and one rushing touchdown as well as eight receptions for 94 yards and one receiving touchdown.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2022.