Arakgi passes Miller; takes over all-time special teams tackles lead

VANCOUVER — The Canadian Football League has a new all-time special teams tackle leader, as Jason Arakgi has passed Wade Miller to become number one on the all-time list.

The 31-year-old Montreal native, a former third-round pick (20th overall) by the BC Lions in 2008, took over sole possession at the top of the list in the opening quarter of Saturday’s Week 9 matchup vs. the Calgary Stampeders.

Arakgi tackled Stamps returner Tory Harrison on the game’s opening kickoff to move him to the front of the list.

The linebacker and special-teamer entered the night tied with former Blue Bombers special-teamer and current CEO Wade Miller with 184 special teams tackles. Miller spent 11 seasons with the Bombers.

Arakgi reached 184 special teams tackles in 15 fewer games than Miller and is on the brink of reaching double-figures for a ninth season in a row. He has has recorded at least one special teams tackle in 107 of his 144 career games (74.3 per cent of his games).

Among career leaders, Arakgi’s rate of 1.28 per game trails Brendan Rogers (1.31) and is just behind Walter Spencer. He has recorded multiple-special teams tackle games 53 times in his career (Miller had had 51 games with two or more).

Rogers, Sean Millington and Spencer round out the top-five all-time leaders.

Arakgi’s Lions fell to the Stampeders 37-9 on Friday night in a battle for first place in the CFL West Division.