CFL.ca
CFL.ca Staff
VANCOUVER — The BC Lions made two significant cuts to their roster Friday afternoon, releasing former all-stars SB Arland Bruce lll and DB Byron Parker.
“Both Arland and Byron were great pros, we thank them for their services and wish them the very best in the future,” said Lions VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono.
Bruce has spent 11 years in the CFL with Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton and BC, generating over 10,000 yards receiving and 89 touchdowns. He joined the Lions in 2011 just in time to help lead them to a Grey Cup victory at home.
The elusive pass-catcher broke into the league in 2001 with Winnipeg as a part of a receiving corps that boasted the likes of Geroy Simon and Milt Stegall. Following a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, Bruce joined the Argonauts in 2004 where he emerged as their go-to receiver over parts of six seasons, helping them capture a Grey Cup in 2004 and two first place finishes (2005, 2007).
In 2009, he was traded to the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats following a much-publicized feud with then-head coach Bart Andrus. He was released midway through the 2011 season and promptly joined the Lions.
I would like to give a BIG thank you to the #BCLions and the city for welcoming me with open arms. I’m honored to have played for u.
— Byron Parker (@byronparker28) January 18, 2013
Parker, an 8-year CFL veteran, joined the Lions as a free agent in February of 2012 and recorded 38 tackles and one interception in 18 games with the Leos.
Prior to moving out west, Parker spent the majority of his career with the Toronto Argonauts (2005-2011) – with a brief stint in Edmonton along the way (2009). In an impressive career the former league all-star has amassed 255 total tackles and 29 interceptions. More importantly, 9 of those picks have been returned for touchdowns which sits as a league record.
