TIGER-CATS RE-SIGN LINEBACKER LAWRENCE TO A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Monday the football club has re-signed international linebacker Simoni Lawrence to a two-year contract.

Lawrence, 30, played in 18 regular season games with the Tiger-Cats in 2018, registering 68 defensive tackles, three quarterback sacks, three tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. The 6-1, 231-pound native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania has appeared in 113 career CFL games (97 starts) with the Edmonton Eskimos (2012) and Tiger-Cats (2013-18), posting 435 defensive tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback sacks, eight interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, 16 pass knock downs and 18 special teams tackles. He has also seen action in 11 playoff games, including two Grey Cup appearances in 2013 and 2014 with Hamilton.

Lawrence’s CFL accolades include being named the East Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player and a CFL All-Star in 2015, and three consecutive Divisional All-Star nods from 2014 to 2016. The University of Minnesota product was originally acquired by the Tiger-Cats on February 5, 2013 from the Eskimos along with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and offensive lineman Greg Wojt in exchange for linebacker Nathan Kanya and offensive lineman Carson Rockhill. Throughout his pro career, Lawrence has also spent time with five National Football League teams, including the St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings.