Simoni Lawrence signs extension with Ticats

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have announced that the football club has signed international linebacker and reigning East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Simoni Lawrence, to a contract extension through the 2017 CFL season.

“Simoni is an outstanding player with a great work ethic and love for the game that is infectious to everyone around him,” said Tiger-Cats Vice President of Football Operations and Head Coach Kent Austin. “He embodies the qualities we look for in a football player and we’re very pleased he will be a Tiger-Cat through 2017.”

Lawrence was named the East Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player and a CFL All-Star and for the first time in his career in 2015, was also named a Divisional All-Star for the second consecutive campaign.

The 6-1, 228-pound native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, has appeared in 61-career CFL games with the Edmonton Eskimos and Tiger-Cats.

He has also participated in 8 playoff games, including two Grey Cup appearances in 2013 and 2014 with Hamilton.