Standout OL Jovan Olafioye retires from the CFL

Six-time CFL all-star offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye has retired from professional football.

Olafioye made 156 career starts over nine seasons, eight with the Lions. He earned a Grey Cup in B.C. in 2011 and won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2012.

“I’m incredibly grateful for my time in the CFL and as a member of the BC Lions,” Olafioye said in a statement. “There are so many people who will have left a lasting impression from my time in Canada, but no more than Wally Buono and coach Dan Dorazio. My thanks also to former teammates and Lions fans everywhere. I could not have dreamed of anything more than the amazing experience I had in Vancouver.”

The North Carolina Central product originally signed with the Lions in 2010 and started all 18 regular season games as a CFL rookie. After that first year, Olafioye strung six seasons of all-star nods together for the work at his offensive tackle position.