Former B.C. Lions linebacker Micah Awe admits release came as a shock

Veteran linebacker Micah Awe admitted he was blindsided by the B.C. Lions’ decision to release him earlier this year, despite believing he had finally secured a long-term place in the team after a standout 2025 campaign.

Having led the CFL in defensive tackles last season, the 32-year-old expected to return as a key figure in the Lions’ defence for 2026. Instead, the experienced journeyman found himself searching for yet another new opportunity — a familiar story throughout a career that has taken him across multiple teams.

Speaking publicly for the first time since his January departure, Awe confessed the move came as a major shock. After enjoying one of the most productive seasons of his career in B.C., he had assumed he would be back with the club. However, reflecting on his lengthy football journey, the linebacker admitted he almost laughed at himself for being surprised, given how frequently he has changed teams over the years.

Awe enjoyed an outstanding 2025 season statistically, leading the league with 114 defensive tackles while also contributing on special teams, forcing a fumble, and recording two interceptions. Yet even those numbers failed to guarantee stability. The Lions opted to reshape their defence by bringing in three-time all-star linebacker Darnell Sankey during free agency, effectively making Awe expendable and leading to his release soon afterward.

The decision added another chapter to a career defined by movement. Across several seasons in the CFL, Awe has become something of a football nomad, spending time with the B.C. Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks, Montreal Alouettes, and Calgary Stampeders. Despite often producing strong performances, he has rarely stayed with one organization for more than two years.

Rather than expressing bitterness, Awe appeared to accept the reputation he has built within the league — a dependable player teams can turn to when needed. At the same time, he made clear that wherever he lands, he intends to prove his value and compete at the highest level.

That competitive mindset has now taken him back to the Montreal Alouettes, whom he rejoined in April after spending several months in free agency. It marks a return to familiar surroundings, and Awe believes Montreal offers the ideal fit both professionally and personally. He described a connection to the city’s multicultural identity, saying it aligns closely with his own background.

The linebacker also revealed he still carries unfinished business from his first spell with the franchise. Memories of Montreal’s loss in the 2022 Eastern Final continue to linger, a moment that clearly left an emotional mark on him even though he did not feature in the game itself. Watching the Alouettes go on to win the Grey Cup in 2023 and return to the championship game again last year only strengthened his determination to be part of the team’s success.

What remains uncertain is exactly how Awe will fit into Montreal’s plans. The Alouettes recently made changes at middle linebacker, releasing standout Darnell Sankey as part of a shift toward using Canadian talent in the position, with Geoffrey Cantin-Arku expected to take on a prominent role. Still, Awe remains confident there will be opportunities for him to contribute and insists he will fight for playing time.

Now in the later stages of his career, Awe acknowledged that several players from his rookie class have opted to retire, including fellow CFL veterans. Yet the experienced linebacker believes he still has plenty left to offer and feels he continues to perform at an elite level, even if that hasn’t always been fully appreciated by decision-makers around the league.