SURREY — After almost a decade in BC Lions orange and black, linebacker Jason Arakgi has elected to retire. He announced he is stepping away from football Friday night after he helped the Leos close out the pre-season with a convincing win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

A veteran presence in the Lions locker room since 2008, Arakgi will best be known for the imprint he left on the CFL record books as he retires as the League’s all-time leader in special teams tackles with 194.

“I can’t thank this organization enough,” Arakgi told a gathering of reporters after the preseason finale Friday. “And cant thank Wally (Buono) enough. He has become like a father to me over the years and it has been such a blessing to have been here for 10 years now.”

Arakgi leaves the game with 155 games played and a Grey Cup champtionship (2011) on his resume.

“I have met some of the best people I have ever met in my entire life in this locker room and I would never trade it for anything else ever.”

– With files from TSN.ca