The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed Canadian offensive lineman David Beard to a contract extension that will run through the 2024 season.
The 30-year-old was acquired by the Ticats last September from the Edmonton Elks in exchange for Canadian offensive lineman Jesse Gibbon and a second-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft. The Elks would trade that pick in February to the Ottawa Redblacks in a deal to acquire Canadian linebacker Woodly Appolon.
The six-foot-five, 320-pound native of Sherwood Park, Alberta played in seven games with the Tiger-Cats following the trade, taking over the starting centre position after his first game and remaining the starter for the team’s remaining regular season and playoff matchups. He started 10 games with the Elks last season before he was traded.
Beard was drafted by Edmonton with a second-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2015 CFL Draft, winning a Grey Cup with the franchise in his first season. He would play 94 games in green and gold, starting 67 games, and was the team’s unanimous selection for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2019.
Beard is the second Ticats offensive lineman to be signed beyond this season, joining free-agent signee Joel Figueroa, who inked a two-year pact with the Tabbies in February after spending the last four years with the B.C. Lions.
