‘People have to pay’: Alouettes journeyman Micah Awe caught off guard by B.C. Lions release

Photo courtesy: Montreal Alouettes

Another year, another new uniform. That’s the way it’s been for the majority of Micah Awe’s career, but the veteran linebacker wasn’t expecting to continue the trend in 2026.

After leading the CFL in defensive tackles last season, the 32-year-old believed he had entrenched himself at the centre of the B.C. Lions’ defence. The team, it turned out, had other plans.

“I’ll be honest with you, it was a complete surprise. It was a complete 180. I thought I was gonna be back in B.C.,” Awe revealed, speaking for the first time about his January release.

“But if you guys look at my Wikipedia, every time people ask me, ‘How many teams have you been on?’ I’m like, ‘Do you really want to know? Do you have five minutes?’ At the end of the day, when it happened to me, I’m like, ‘Why am I surprised?'”

Awe amassed a league-leading 114 defensive tackles in 2025, while adding three special teams tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Still, it wasn’t enough to make his fourth stint in B.C. permanent, as the Lions picked up three-time all-star Darnell Sankey on the free agent market to become their new middle linebacker. That made the incumbent expendable, and he was released several weeks later.

That’s an all-too-familiar narrative for Awe. No matter how statistically productive he’s been, teams have always chosen to move on. In addition to his stops in B.C. (2017, 2018, 2022, 2025), he has also spent time with the Toronto Argonauts (2019), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2020), Ottawa Redblacks (2021), Montreal Alouettes (2022), and Calgary Stampeders (2023-2024). Never has he been able to stay in one place for more than two seasons.

“For whatever reason, personnel, GMs, coaches, they see me as a guy that they can use whenever they want to use,” Awe shrugged. “And if that’s my role, that’s my role. But whenever I do my role, I’m going to be the best at it. Regardless, I’m here in Montreal, and people have to pay.”

Awe joined the Alouettes in April after two-and-a-half months of free agency, making his way from Vancouver to Montreal for the second time in his career. He believes it to be a perfect fit both on and off the field, likening his own diverse background to the city’s reputation as a cultural melting pot.

The five-foot-11, 216-pound defender also made clear that he has unfinished business stemming from his first tenure with the organization.

“It’s something that’s always been close to my heart. The last game I played for Montreal was the 2022 Eastern Final that we lost,” Awe said. “I actually didn’t play, but I cried, and I still remember that feeling. It’s one of those things that I’ve always wanted to come back.”

The Alouettes have enjoyed considerable team success since then, winning the Grey Cup in 2023 and reaching the title game again last season, only to fall short. Awe has watched those accomplishments with both jealousy and admiration, determined to become a part of it himself.

What remains unclear is what role he’ll play in Montreal, as it was a ratio change at middle linebacker that prompted the Alouettes to release their incumbent standout Sankey early this offseason, setting the wheels in motion for Awe’s own release by the Lions. Canadian Geoffrey Cantin-Arku is being handed the keys, but Awe still sees a path to playing time.

“I’m gonna find a way to get on the field. That’s always my job,” he vowed. “It’s up to personnel, GM Danny (Maciocia), to choose, and it’s my part to make it hard.”

Awe noted that a number of players from his rookie class, like William Stanback and DaVaris Daniels, chose to retire this offseason, but he still feels at the top of his game — even if it hasn’t always been recognized by GMs or media members.

“It’s not about the age; everyone says that. It’s about the film,” he insisted. “You go put the film on, and my biggest thing I got last year that really confirmed it is a CFLPA all-star. That’s your own opponents, your own peer group, saying this was the best Mike linebacker.”

“For me, I don’t care about any stats, because it doesn’t even matter. They won’t even give it to me. I don’t care. It’s about getting back to that Grey Cup and not just getting there, it’s about winning.”

The Montreal Alouettes opened training camp on Sunday, May 10. The team plays its two preseason games against the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday, May 22, and Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday, June 4.