Peter Dyakowski wasn’t unemployed long.

The veteran offensive lineman signed a two-year deal with the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday, hours after being released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The six-foot-five, 315-pound Vancouver native spent nine seasons with Hamilton, playing in 148 regular-season games. The Ticats selected the 32-year-old in the second round, 11th overall, in the 2006 CFL draft but he opted to remain at LSU for another year.

“We want to thank Peter for all of his contributions to the organization and our community,” Kent Austin, Hamilton head coach/vice-president of football operations, said in a statement. “He has been an integral part of our team for over a decade and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Dyakowski was a fan favourite in Hamilton for his intellect and outgoing personality. In 2012, he won the Canada’s Smartest Person reality show and in 2014 finished third on an episode of Jeopardy!

“I have had a fantastic 10 seasons in Hamilton,” Dyakowski said in a statement. “I would like to thank all of the wonderful fans who have supported me over the years, the hundreds of teammates i have played alongside, and all of the Ticats staff I have had the pleasure of working with from 2007 until today.

“I appreciate everything that this great city has done for me and my family.”

– CP