Simoni Lawrence announces retirement from playing football

Long-time Ticat and fan-favourite, Simoni Lawrence, has announced that he will retire from playing football after eleven years in the CFL the linebacker is hanging up his cleats and saying goodbye to the team.

The announcement came Thursday morning following the signing of three new players to the team earlier this week, leaving many fans wondering about Lawrence’s future.

“Football has been my passion since I was nine years old and I’m extremely grateful that I was given this gift from God to be able to play for as many years as I did but now it’s time for me to graduate,” Lawrence said. “This game has taken me to so many places but none of those places mean more to me than Hamilton.”

When asked about the star player during a press conference on Wednesday, the team’s General Manager said that Lawrence was a very important part of the organization but wouldn’t elaborate on his future role on the field.

Lawrence said the game of football is a young man’s sport and feels extremely blessed to be able to play football for as long as he has for the city of Hamilton for ten years.

“There’s always going to be an opportunity for Simoni Lawrence to be in this organization,” Ed Hervey said.

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It’s now known that Lawrence will remain a part of the team as an official brand and community ambassador.

“Even though my playing days are over, I’m excited to begin my new role as Hamilton Sports Group’s official brand and community ambassador, and I look forward to growing and making this city and organization a better place,” Lawrence said of the new role.

Lawrence said the transition between playing and being part of the organization will be an easy one, he has already participated in over 500 individual community events during his career and says “I’ve been studying for the job for a long time, it’s been my side-hustle while playing football.”

During his time on the team, Lawrence was awarded three CFL all-star awards and five east-division all-star awards. He was also nominated three times for the East Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

In total Lawrence played in 13 playoff games, including six East Division Finals and four Grey Cups, but never got the chance to take the Grey Cup home.

Lawrence says, “it was tough, you know, not winning a Grey Cup, we played to win the Grey Cup, but I had a great career.” Lawrence says he will always remember the bonds he has made along the way.

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“Football is such an aggressive game, but you get in the locker room and you see how soft everybody really is, it’s the bond you create with the guys, the relationship you create with the coaches.”

Although Lawrence is not retiring from the organization, fans say they will still miss seeing his number 21 on the field.

Lawrence signed with the Ticats in 2013 and has been a fan favourite ever since, Lawrence says no matter what he did, Hamilton will always be home for him.

A special event will celebrate the player’s legacy later this month at Tim Hortons field.

Headlined as “The Graduation,” the event will give fans a chance to celebrate his career at the home stadium.

Tickets are on sale for $21 and can be purchased here. All proceeds will go towards Food4Kids Hamilton.