Lulay and Messam Avoid Free Agency

BC Lions Football Club GM and head coach Wally Buono announced this afternoon that international quarterback Travis Lulay has re-signed with the team through 2017. Lulay was eligible to become a free agent on February 9th.

“Strength and depth at the quarterback position is vital to any team’s success,” said Buono. “Travis provides us all the qualities that you want in a quarterback. Lulay smiling on fieldHe’s a leader and a competitor and I am looking forward to seeing Travis, Jonathon Jennings and Greg McGhee come to training camp and lead our club.”

The Montana State vet will enter his eighth year with the Lions and currently sits third in team history with 16,960 passing yards and 101 touchdown passes. The CFL’s Most Outstanding Player and a Grey Cup champion in 2011, Lulay has dressed for 99 regular season games dating back to 2009 with 65 starts.

“I have truly loved every moment of my time with the Lions and I’m ecstatic to be staying in BC,” said Lulay. “We have great opportunity to be a very competitive team in 2016 and I’m excited to get to work.”

(BC Lions)

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Calgary Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce the re-signing of national running back Jerome Messam.

Messam was scheduled to become a free agent tomorrow.

The 30-year-old Toronto product joined the Stampeders in an Oct. 14, 2015, trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and he appeared in two regular-season games for Calgary, registering 180 rushing yards — including 121 in his debut for the Red and White — and adding six receptions for 33 yards. In 17 combined games for the Stampeders and Roughriders, he rushed for 1,006 yards and two touchdowns and made 53 catches for 497 yards while earning West Division all-star honours.

Messam also started both of Calgary’s playoff games and amassed 122 rushing yards and a touchdown and eight catches for 126 yards.

“Jerome is a very good football player who fit in very well with the Stampeders after we traded for him last year,” said Hufnagel. “I believe this is a mutually beneficial situation for both the player and the team and I’m pleased that Jerome has chosen to continue his career with the Stampeders.”

In 90 career games for BC, Edmonton, Montreal, Sasktchewan and Calgary, Messam has 3,270 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns as well as 132 catches for 1,329 yards.

“I’m happy to get the deal done and not have to worry about free agency,” said Messam. “I’m excited to be back in Calgary.”

(Calgary Stampeders)