For Shawn Lemon, signing with the Montreal Alouettes has brought a sense of peace. Even as his new team heads into a match-up against the Calgary Stampeders, the very franchise that elected not to re-sign the veteran pass rusher after he posted a career year in 2021.
“I don’t feel entitled to them,” Lemon said this week ahead of his Alouettes debut. “They didn’t have to offer me a contract, that’s their right.”
In 2022, the final year of Lemon’s second stint with the Calgary Stampeders, he racked up 29 defensive tackles, a career-high 14 sacks and forced five fumbles in 17 games. That led to him being named a CFL All-Star and earning the West Division nomination for Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Still, Calgary moved on from the 34-year-old in the offseason and will now get a taste of what they lost.
“Everything happens for a reason and the way it set up was for me to be back in the league against a team that I played for and was nominated in last year,” Lemon said, still insisting that he won’t be motivated by bad blood.
“I enjoy their coaching staff. Had fun there. Some of the guys on the team are good friends still to this day.”
Lemon was initially signed by the B.C. Lions for the 2023 season, but was unexpectedly released in May. It took him until Week 8 to find a new home, but he isn’t giving up on his goal to become the league leader in sacks this season.
“I’m confident in my skill set,” he said. “I have about 13 games left in the regular season. I’ve been traded later than this from Toronto to BC and I got double digits that year.”
If Lemon hits double digits again, he will have made history. Today, he has 92 career sacks and only needs four to eclipse Hall of Famer Mike Walker for 14th on the all-time leaderboard. If he can record eight, he’ll become the 13th player in league history to reach 100 career sacks.
“It means a lot to me because I just understand the work that I put in and the consistency.”
To that end, the veteran edge rusher did not stop working during his time off. In addition to training, Lemon made sure to watch all of the games and took notes about how every team attacked the quarterback, evaluating how each scheme could fit him as a player.
“I watch a lot of film. I just love everything about the game, especially the Canadian Football League game.”
The fit in Montreal was a natural one, as both Lemon and the Alouettes have faced unexpected changes over the last year. During the 2023 offseason, Montreal welcomed new ownership, a new starting quarterback, and a new head coach.
Despite the unforeseen revamp prior to the season, the Alouettes have continued to surprise fans on the field during the season — much as Lemon has throughout his career.
“I see what head coach Jason Maas is doing on offence,” he remarked. “It’s been a very explosive team here and I just want to come in and add my leadership and experience to make it that much better.”
The Alouettes will no doubt look to Lemon to bump them up from their current spot at the bottom of the league in sacks when he takes to the field on Sunday, with just seven produced through five games. Until then, Lemon says Maas is presenting him with another challenge.
“Coach Maas, the first day I came in, he wanted me and everyone to know their jersey number in French,” Lemon shared. “So, he gave me some homework to do.”
With the move to Montreal, Lemon has officially been under contract with eight of the league’s nine teams throughout his twelve-year CFL career. Hamilton is the only destination that remains unchecked.
While he came close to joining the Ticats first, Lemon is pushing out any thought of completing the storied Kevin Glenn circuit.
“It was going to happen because Hamilton was one of the teams that were hitting me as well,” Lemon said. “I’m just happy for this opportunity here and I want to stay here. I love everything about it so far.”
