Linebacker Anton McKenzie signs with Leos
Posted January 30, 2012 11:25 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The BC Lions lost linebacker Solomon Elimimian to the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings last week. They will not lose linebacker Anton McKenzie, resigning the 31-year-old who will return for a fourth season in Vancouver.
“Having Anton re-sign is another important step in keeping the core of our team intact moving forward,” says GM Wally Buono. McKenzie will enter this seventh season in the CFL and has appeared in 53 games with the Lions after joining BC prior to the 2009 season after spending three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
McKenzie was a big part of the team’s 2011 championship season, recording two sacks and finishing second in team tackles with 79. He would also pick off Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce in the first quarter of the Grey Cup Championship and added four tackles in the Lions’ 34-23 victory.
McKenzie’s signing is likely not the last by the Lions this week. The team is also set to announce new contracts for free agent kicker Paul McCallum and defensive back Ryan Phillips.
The Hamilton Ticats also announced the signing of free agent running back Martell Mallet, who played the last two seasons in the NFL. Mallett was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie while playing for BC in 2009.
