THE CANADIAN PRESS
Sean Lucas will forever be part of Grey Cup folklore.
The veteran linebacker retired Thursday after spending the last six seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Over that span he registered 372 defensive tackles, 23 special team tackles, seven sacks and five interceptions.
He also took part in four playoff games and two Grey Cups with the Riders, winning in 2007. But Lucas was widely regarded as the Saskatchewan player at the centre of the infamous 13th Man incident cost the club the championship in 2009.
Lucas, 28, was named in football circles as the extra player who was on the field when Montreal kicker Damon Duval missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired, seemingly giving Saskatchewan the win.
But Duval got a second chance from 33 yards after the Riders were penalized for too many men. Duval converted to give Montreal a thrilling 28-27 victory.
The Riders have never said who the extra man was, but video replays did show Lucas start off the field, then turn and stay on for Duval’s attempt in the most heart-breaking finish in Grey Cup history.
"The entire Roughrider organization thanks Sean for his contributions and dedication to the team over the last six years," GM Brendan Taman said in a statement. "He has made the decision to move on to the next phase of his life and we wish him nothing but the best."
The Riders also re-signed defensive lineman Brent Hawkins and released defensive back John Eubanks, receiver Terrence Nunn and defensive lineman Remond Willis.
Meanwhile, the Grey Cup-champion B.C. Lions announced that offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine will return in 2012. There were reports after the club’s CFL championship victory that Chapdelaine had been offered the head coach’s job at Bishop’s University.
"Jacques was a significant part of our success last season and I am very pleased that he will remain with us in 2012," new Lions head coach Mike Benevides said in a release. "He is our league’s most experienced offensive co-ordinator and having him lead the offence provides us with both continuity and stability heading into this season."
Chapdelaine enters his ninth season with the Lions after originally joining the club in 2003 as its receivers coach. In 2005, he was promoted to offensive co-ordinator which culminated in a Grey Cup championship in 2006.
After a brief stint with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2007, he rejoined the Lions in 2008 as receivers coach before becoming offensive co-ordinator once again in 2010. Last season, B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay was named the CFL’s outstanding player before capping the season with the Grey Cup MVP honour.
