Star pass rusher Shawn Lemon believes the Edmonton Football Team is ‘up next to compete for a Grey Cup’

Star CFL defensive lineman Shawn Lemon has won two Grey Cups in his career and knows what it takes to win a championship.

That’s one of the major reasons why he wanted to sign with the Edmonton Football Team for the 2021 season.

“I felt like it was a team that’s up next to compete for a Grey Cup. I feel like I was a missing piece that can come in and bring my leadership, and bring my skillset,” Lemon said on The Rod Pedersen Show.

“Coach Jaime Elizondo’s offence has always been one of the top offences in the CFL and for a pass rusher like myself, that means you get a lot of opportunities to rush the quarterback in the fourth quarter.”

The nine-year veteran has played 107 games, recording 166 tackles, 70 sacks and 22 forced fumbles. Lemon began his time in Canada with brief stints in Winnipeg and Saskatchewan before establishing himself with Edmonton back in 2012. In that season, Lemon recorded six sacks in 12 games.

“Me and Brock [Sunderland] had a relationship from me being in Ottawa when I played with the Redblacks after being with the 49ers,” Lemon said.

“It was an easy negotiation, he’s an upfront guy, very straightforward and that’s all you can ask for as a veteran in this business — someone that can be upfront, straightforward and very professional.”

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however if Canadian football was played last year, Lemon would have signed with the Green and Gold. He had been in constant communication with Sunderland throughout the process which led to a one-year pact for the upcoming scheduled season.

“I was never really worried about myself as far as getting a contract because I was going to sign with Edmonton last season if there was a season,” Lemon said.

“Just try to go in and produce everywhere you go, that’s the lifestyle I live.”

3Down Staff