Calgary Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier (12) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Mathieu Betts (90) as he slides along the ground during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on September 24, 2022. Star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts is heading back to the struggling B.C. Lions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
VANCOUVER – Star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts is heading back to the struggling B.C. Lions.
The Lions announced Thursday they have signed Betts, the CFL’s reigning top defensive player, for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The 29-year-old Montreal native was cut by the Detroit Lions on Tuesday after contributing two solo tackles and one sack over three NFL pre-season games.
He inked a one-year deal with the NFL club shortly after his contract with the B.C. Lions expired in February.
Betts had a CFL-high 18 sacks last season, marking the most ever by a Canadian player, and recorded a career-high 44 tackles (three for loss), four forced fumbles and a blocked punt.
The six-foot-three, 250-pound athlete rejoins a B.C. team that has lost five games in a row to fall to 5-6 and is looking to get back on track when the Lions host the surging Ottawa Redblacks (7-2) in Victoria on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2024.
