CFL B.C. Lions

Hollingsworth and Smith sign

April 22, 2002 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


VANCOUVER, B.C. April 22, 2002 -- BC Lions General Manager, Adam Rita, today announced the signing of Defensive End Andrew Hollingsworth. In keeping with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Andrew possesses a lot of speed and agility and he's got a character that never gives up," said Head Coach Steve Buratto. "He'll bring a lot of energy into training camp in June."

Hollingsworth, a 6'2" 248-pound product of Towson State University, was Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the 2000 Patriot League. The 25-year-old broke the Towson and Patriot League records for career and season sacks and also became the second player in the League's 15-year history to win the Player of the Year award and the position (offence or defence) Player of the Year recognized through coaches voting.

In November 2000, Hollingsworth lead the NCAA 1 A-A ranks with 18 quarterback sacks for 112 yards in losses and led the Patriot League with a career record of 45 quarterback sacks. Hollingsworth was selected a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, The Sports Network, The Football News and The Walter Camp Foundation

At Towson State, Andrew was a mass communications major and was named to the GTE Academic All-American District II team in 1998. In high school, Hollingsworth was a member of state championship teams in 1993 and 1994. He was captain of the football and the baseball team in his senior year.

BC Lions sign Defensive End

Jermaine Smith

VANCOUVER, B.C. April 22, 2002 -- BC Lions General Manager, Adam Rita, today announced the signing of Defensive End Jermaine Smith. In keeping with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Jermaine is versatile at several positions and has great speed and athletic ability," said Head Coach Steve Buratto. "He's had a few cracks at this league and I'm hoping this will be his year."

Smith, is a, 6'2" 235-pound product of Central State Univeristy, Ohio, is a native of Eden, North Carolina. The 28-year-old signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a free agent in May 2000. Prior to that, Smith penned with the Calgary Stampeders, where he had an outstanding camp but was unable to crack the starting lineup and was released. In 1998, Smith attended the New Orleans Saints mini camp but was released prior to the Saints main camp. Previously, Smith spent a portion of the 1997 season with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. Smith was a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996.

Prior to playing with the Buccaneers, Smith was an outside linebacker for the National Champion Marauders at Central State University and was credited with 50 defensive tackles, eight quarterback sacks and three forced fumbles. In the 1994/95 season, Smith played for East Carolina University and led the team in tackles during the 1995 Liberty Bowl. Smith played his first two seasons of college football at Northeast Oklahoma A&M where he was voted a first team freshman All-American, a Grid-Wire All American at Linebacker, Junior College All-American, and rated as one of the top ten JUCO players in the nation. He was also named team captain.

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Canadian Football League Stories from April 22, 2002


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