B.C. Lions release veteran Canadian receiver Paris Jackson

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Lions parted ways with Paris Jackson on Friday, granting the veteran Canadian receiver his release so that he could pursue other CFL opportunities.

The Vancouver native was the Lions’ first selection (sixth overall) in the 2003 CFL draft and played 185 regular-season games with B.C., catching 420 passes for 5,757 yards and 31 touchdowns.

“Paris has requested his release to pursue a more significant playing role on another CFL club,” Lions general manager Wally Buono said in a statement. “The B.C. Lions thank him for his many contributions to our organization both on and off the field and wish him the very best.”

Jackson recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns with the Lions in 2008 and 2009, but saw his role within B.C.’s offence diminish drastically.

The 33-year-old was used primarily on special teams the last three seasons and caught just 10 passes for 97 yards in 18 games in 2013.