Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca
HAMILTON — National offensive lineman Mathieu Girard has come out of retirement and signed a three-year contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the team announced Monday.
Girard, a 6-foot-3, 308-pound native of Montreal, re-joins the club after announcing his retirement before the 2017 season.
The 26-year-old appeared in 35 regular season games and two playoff games for the Tiger-Cats from 2015 to 2016, suiting up at numerous positions on the offensive line including guard, centre and long snapper on field goal attempts. He was selected by the Tiger-Cats in the sixth round, 52nd overall, in the 2014 CFL Draft.
Converting to an offensive lineman before turning pro, Girard played five seasons (2010-14) at the University of Montreal as a defensive tackle. He posted 78 tackles, 20 quarterback sacks, 23 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries with the Carabins en route to a Vanier Cup championship in his final season in 2014.
The move provides depth and competition at guard for the Ticats, who recently traded Ryan Bomben to the Montreal Alouettes to acquire the first overall pick, which was used to select Central Michigan receiver Mark Chapman.
Girard is expected to attend training camp with the ‘Cats, which begins Sunday.
