MONTREAL — John Bowman, the Montreal Alouettes all-time sack leader who sits eighth all-time in the CFL with 121, will have an opportunity to boost his stats once again as he returns to the team in 2018, the team announced on Monday.

Bowman (6’3″, 250 lbs.), who joined the Alouettes in 2006, will play a 13th season in the CFL. The 35-year-old defensive end led the team with nine sacks last season, which was the third highest total in the CFL. Those nine sacks cost opposing offences a league-high total of 73 yards. He also pressured the quarterbacks 27 times, while adding 36 defensive tackles.

“We are happy to have John return to the field with us in 2018. Throughout his career, he has been a true leader on the field and in the locker room,” said Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. “We look forward to John being a leader on our defensive squad and know that the players will look up to him. John is a true Montrealer and we are thrilled that he will have an opportunity to continue playing in front of the best fans in the CFL.”

Out of his first 12 seasons, the Brooklyn, NY native recorded seven of 10 or more sacks and eight with 30 or more defensive tackles.

Bowman was elected seven times to the East Division All-Star Team and twice to the CFL All-Star Team in 2010 and 2016. In 2017, he was elected to the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame.

In 200 career games, including 194 as a starter, the former Wingate University Bulldog amassed 403 defensive tackles. Bowman also helped the Alouettes hoist back-to-back Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010.