Former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving leader Shawn Bane Jr. signs with Paris Lights

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders/Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards

Former CFL receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is taking his talents to Europe, signing with the Paris Lights in France.

The 31-year-old has been a free agent since January, when he was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Bane appeared in just four regular-season games during the 2025 season, making four receptions for 28 yards. He spent most of the year on the one-game injured list, sometimes as a healthy scratch, as the Riders captured a Grey Cup title.

The five-foot-eleven, 170-pound target had his best season with Saskatchewan in 2023, when he caught a league-leading 93 passes for 1,104 yards and four touchdowns. In 2024, he made 49 receptions for 581 yards and five touchdowns over 14 regular-season games before suffering a torn ACL, which derailed his CFL career.

The native of Sarasota, Fla., first arrived in Canada with the Calgary Stampeders in 2021, spending two seasons with the team. Over 49 career CFL games, he made 170 catches for 2,101 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Stampeders and Riders.

Bane played collegiately at Northwest Missouri State, where he caught 212 passes for 3,363 yards and 31 touchdowns, returned 74 punts for 878 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 58 kickoffs for 1,286 yards.

The Paris Lights play in the American Football League of Europe (AFLE), one of two startup leagues beginning play in Europe this year following the financial collapse of the European League of Football. The team, which is led by Canadian quarterback Evan Hillock, is currently 1-1 entering Week 4 of their inaugural season. Other players on the roster with CFL connections include longtime kicker Boris Bede and defensive lineman Valentin Gnahoua.

The Lights are slated to return to action on Saturday, June 13, when they visit the Rhein Fire in Germany.