The Ottawa Redblacks have released Shawn Lemon so the defensive lineman can pursue NFL opportunities this off-season.

The 27-year-old Lemon signed with the Redblacks midseason after being released by the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers. Prior to his NFL tryout last summer, Lemon spent time in the CFL with Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos, and Calgary Stampeders.

Lemon's best years came with the Stampeders, and the Akron product finished with 13 sacks in 2014.