Vancouver (with files from TSN/Province) – The BC Lions Lui Passaglia was with the team well into his 40’s. So was Paul McCallum.
SATURDAY UPDATE – The BC Lions announced that kicker Paul McCallum has requested to be released by the team.
“Paul and I have had ongoing discussions over the past number of seasons regarding his future with the club.” Said Lions VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “In keeping with what Paul and I discussed, the club will grant his request for a release at this time. We appreciate his many contributions to our organization and we wish him the best moving forward.”
ORIGINAL STORY – Paul McCallum’s time with the BC Lions has come to an end.
According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions have asked the 45-year-old kicker to retire after new head coach Jeff Tedford has decided to go with Americans Richie Leone and Anthony Fera in the kicking game.
McCallum, who has been in the CFL for 22 years and with the Lions for the last nine, will now reportedly take a few days to decide whether he wants to retire, or be released to try and sign on with a new team.
The Vancouver native connected on 90.5 percent of his field goals last season (38 for 42), a nice bounce back from his two previous seasons, both 84 percent. McCallum’s best season came in 2011, when he was 41, connecting on 94.3 percent of his field goals.
