The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed kicker Lewis Ward to a three-year contract extension through the 2027 season on Tuesday.
Lewis Ward is five foot seven and weighs 176 pounds. The 32-year-old from Kingston, Ontario, made 48 of 54 field goals (88.9%) with a long of 54 yards and made 20 of 21 extra points in 15 games this season.
“I’m excited and grateful to be able to extend my playing career here in Ottawa for another three years and be a part of such a great organization. I’m thankful to Shawn Burke and Bob Dyce, and the rest of the coaching staff who believe in me to continue to play a high level, be a leader on this team, and bring us more success in the future, building off of what he have done so far,” said Ward.
Making the playoffs this season is only the beginning of what we want to do as a group. I’m proud that I get to play in front of RNation for another three years, as they’ve welcomed and supported me and this team since the beginning, and proud to be able to call Ottawa home for this long.”
Ward signed with Ottawa as an undrafted free agent on January 3, 2018. In his rookie year, he was named a CFL East All-Star and a CFL All-Star in 2018 after making 51 of 52 field goals (98.1%), with a long of 52 yards, and made 16 extra points in 18 games.
He was named CFL Most Outstanding Rookie and CFL Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2018. In five seasons with Ottawa, Ward has made 207 of 227 field goals (91.2%), with a long of yards 64 yards, and made 85 extra points.
Last season, Ward made 34 of 40 field goals (85%), with a long of 54 yards, and made 21 extra points in 13 games before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. In six seasons in Ottawa, Ward made 255 of 289 field goals (88.2%) with a long of 56 yards and made 105 of 113 extra points in 95 games.
Collegiately, Ward played six seasons at the University of Ottawa (2012-17) making 89 of 113 field goals (79%), with a long of 51 yards, and made 135 extra points. He was the University of Ottawa All-Time Scoring Leader (412), U Sports third in all-time scoring (89), and second in all-time field goals made (89). Ward was named OUA Second Team All-Star in 2016.
