Rico Murray has re-signed in Hamilton and that’s cool

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed defensive back Rico Murray, repatriating a popular all-star player who started his career with the Ticats.

The 31-year-old Murray inked a one-year contract for the 2019 season.

He has appeared in 86 career CFL games, including 84 starts, in six seasons with Hamilton (2013-16), Toronto (2017) and Ottawa (2018). Remarkably, he’s played in four Grey Cups games – one each with Toronto and Ottawa, two with Hamilton – and has a championship ring from the 2017 Argos win.

The Ticats let Murray walk after the 2016 season because of concerns with injury: after earning an all-star nod in 2014, he played in just 21 combined games in 2015 and 2016. So Murray signed with Toronto in 2017, earned East all-star honours again and took home his ring. He played in all 18 games last season with Ottawa and was an East all-star again.

For his career, Murray has 290 defensive tackles, 15 special teams tackles, four quarterback sacks, 15 interceptions, six forced fumbles and two touchdowns.

Murray adds a respected veteran presence to the locker room after the Ticats lost defensive captain Larry Dean to Eskimos. It was popular move with fans and players.

Ricoooooooooooooo!!!! https://t.co/I30aOM8Uk3

— Ted Laurent (@tedlaurent) February 14, 2019

Might just get hit wit the Rico https://t.co/PM4YaYKkfo

— Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) February 14, 2019

🔥🔥

— Aaron Crawford (@ADJC_44) February 14, 2019

Welcome home @Mr513RicoMurray let the Ricooooooo chants start again.#CFL #HamiltonProud

— Potter (@potter7leafs) February 14, 2019

Where he belongs….. hey @e_harris_31 why don’t you ask for your release?? The gang is getting back together 🙄

— Joey Stewart (@UCANSMB) February 14, 2019

pic.twitter.com/bO1nW71rGq

— Camps (@ccamps19) February 14, 2019

Welcome back Rico, great to have you back.

— Ian braha (@IanToonarmy009) February 14, 2019