THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA — Veteran offensive lineman Andrew Greene announced his retirement Monday shortly after re-signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Greene, 39, played with Saskatchewan in 1997, then from 1999 until the end of the ’06 campaign. During that time he was a four-time CFL all-star and in 2003 was the league’s top lineman.
"The best years of my career were spent with the Riders," Greene said in a statement. "That’s where I played the longest and it has become my home.
"The fans are great people and I was welcomed by the city and province in every way possible."
The six-foot-three, 315-pound Greene played his college career at Indiana and spent the ’05 season with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins before joining the Riders. He returned to the U.S. in 1998 with the Seattle Seahawks, then came back to Regina.
Greene, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2007. He helped the club reach the Grey Cup final, where it lost a 23-19 decision to Saskatchewan.
Greene spent part of last season on the Toronto Argonauts’ practice roster before being released Jan. 26.
"When a player such as Andrew wants to end a long successful career in Green and White, we gladly do our part to help," said Riders president Jim Hopson. "It’s our way of showing appreciation for all the years of dedication and hard work he put into this organization.
"When players want to retire as a Rider, it really is a true testament to what a great football environment exists here in the province of Saskatchewan."
.Greene, who makes his off-season home in Regina, now works full-time as the sponsorship and event co-ordinator for SaskSport and is heavily involved in the provincial KidSport program.
"Andrew is a true professional and always did what was asked of him," said Rider offensive line Coach Bob Wylie, who coached Greene in Winnipeg. "He is a tough guy that played the game the way it was meant to be played — sometimes not pretty but always effective.
"It was a pleasure to coach him."
