February 14, 2017

REDBLACKS extend MacMillan before free agency

Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography

OTTAWA — It may not be a buzzer beater or a last-play game winning field goal, but it’s pretty close.

The Ottawa REDBLACKS have signed a contract extension with one of the top pending free agents, locking up Canadian offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan for at least another  year.

The news was initially reported late Monday night and confirmed by REDBLACKS general manager Marcel Desjardins on Tuesday morning:

MacMillan, 26, was originally the seventh-ranked player on CFL.ca’s list of the top 30 pending free agents.

An original Ottawa REDBLACK and the first ever drafted by the expansion team, MacMillan was a first round pick (ninth overall) in 2013.

While MacMillan played in only seven regular season games last season, his versatility has paid off for the REDBLACKS, the 6-foot-6, 294-pound Amprior, Ont native playing both guard and tackle throughout three seasons with the team.

MacMillan missed the first half of last season with a wrist injury, returning in Week 14 against the Toronto Argonauts and eventually helping his team capture the 104th Grey Cup Championship.

He dressed in every game for the REDBLACKS in 2014 and in 2015.