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.
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