Lions sign Solomon Elimimian to 2-year contract extension

The BC Lions have locked up 2016 Most Outstanding Defensive Player linebacker Solomon Elimimian to a two-year contract extension, the team announced.

Elimimian, who was set to become a free agent in February, won his second DPOY award this year after winning it in 2014, a year in which he also became the first defensive player ever named Most Outstanding Player.

“Solomon’s achievements as a football player are significant and this is a very big signing for our club,” GM and head coach Wally Buono said. “He is an important part of our defence, a leader in our dressing room and I know how important it is for our fans to have Solomon back with us.”

The Los Angeles native led the CFL with 129 tackles in 2016, 14 short of his CFL record of 143 in 2014. He also added a career-high eight sacks and an interception this year.

Elimimian is the the only player in CFL history to win three different major player awards - MOP, DPOY, and Rookie of the Year.

For his career, Elimimian has been named a CFL All-Star three times. He's compiled 575 tackles, 27 sacks, eight interceptions, and eight forced fumbles in 96 games.