Cleyon Laing
refer to caption
Laing with the Redblacks in 2023
No. 90 – Ottawa Redblacks
Position:Defensive lineman
Personal information
Born: (1990-11-21) November 21, 1990
Edmonton, Alberta
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school:Holy Trinity Catholic
College:Iowa State
CFL Draft:2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:National
Career highlights and awards
Career CFL statistics as of 2022
Games played:120
Def. tackles:203
Sacks:40
Forced fumbles:3
Player stats at CFL.ca

Cleyon Laing (born November 21, 1990) is a professional Canadian football defensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2012 CFL Draft. Laing is a four-time CFL East Division All-Star and is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having won with Ottawa in 2016 and then with Toronto in 2017. He played college football with the Iowa State Cyclones.

Professional career

Toronto Argonauts

Laing was selected ninth overall in the 2012 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts, but finished his college eligibility before signing with the team on May 15, 2013.[1] He played for the Argonauts for three seasons finishing his stint with 72 tackles, 16 sacks, two forced fumbles and a safety. After his strong performance in the CFL, including CFL East All-Star honours in 2015, Laing drew the attention of NFL teams.

Miami Dolphins

On February 29, 2016, Laing was signed by the Miami Dolphins of the NFL.[2] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Dolphins as part of final roster cuts.[3] The next day he was signed to the Dolphins' practice squad.[4] He was released on October 31, 2016.[5]

Ottawa Redblacks

Only three days after his release from the Dolphins practice roster, he was signed by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League; just days before their final game of the regular season.[6] Laing appeared in one regular season game with the Redblacks, as well as two post season games which included their Grey Cup victory over the Calgary Stampeders.

Toronto Argonauts (II)

On April 29, 2017, Laing signed with the Toronto Argonauts.[7] Despite missing time with an injury, Laing recorded five sacks and a forced fumble during 11 regular season games played in 2017, and was named a CFL East All-Star for the second time. During the playoffs, Laing recorded the first sack of the 105th Grey Cup as part of a 27–24 Argonauts victory over Calgary. It was his second consecutive Grey Cup championship. Laing signed a two-year extension with Toronto the following January, and had a quick start to the 2018 season with three sacks in the first four games.[8] Although the Argos missed the playoffs with a 4–14 record, Laing played in all 18 games, racking up 44 tackles and six sacks, and was named to his third CFL East All-Star team.[9] Laing was also the team nominee for the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.[10] The 2019 season was similar for both Laing and the team; the team played poorly to start the year and missed the playoffs. Meanwhile, Laing, who had another effective stretch of early season games in which he earned four sacks over three outings, won the Toronto award for Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the second consecutive year; he was additionally named Toronto's Most Outstanding Canadian Player.[11] Laing was also named to his third consecutive Eastern All-Star team, the only member of Toronto's defense to be so honored.[12]

Ottawa Redblacks (II)

Upon entering free agency, Laing signed a three-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 11, 2020.[13] Ottawa restructured the deal with Laing for 2021 following a cancelled 2020 season,[14] a shortened season where Laing played 13 out of 14 possible games, putting up 25 tackles and three sacks.

Personal life

Laing's biological older brother is Canadian actor and model Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.[15] His biological father is of Jamaican descent.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Argos sign 2012 9th overall pick Cleyon Laing". Canadian Football League. May 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Former CFL DL Cleyon Laing signs with Dolphins". ESPN.com.
  3. ↑ Poupart, Alain (September 3, 2016). "Dolphins Make Moves To Get Roster To 53". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018.
  4. ↑ Poupart, Alain (September 4, 2016). "Dolphins Acquire Hunter; Make Other Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Dolphins Sign DE Julius Warmsley To Practice Squad, Cut DE Cleyon Laing". 31 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "Report: REDBLACKS sign national DL Cleyon Laing". CFL.ca. 2016-11-02. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  7. ↑ "Argonauts sign Canadian DT Laing – Article – TSN". TSN. 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
  8. ↑ "Argos re-sign All-Star defensive Lineman Cleyon Laing". 10 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Star Power: 2018 CFL Divisional All-Stars announced". 7 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "CFL announces 2018 team award winners". 31 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "CFL announces 2019 team award winners". 30 October 2019.
  12. ↑ "2019 CFL Division All-Stars Announced". 6 November 2019.
  13. ↑ "REDBLACKS sign Laing, Coombs, Mulumba-Tshimanga and Unamba". ottawaredblacks.com. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  14. ↑ "Ottawa Redblacks get boost, signing Baltimore, Laing, Saunders, Flanders and Mason".
  15. ↑ "Jeffrey Bowyer Chapman at the 2015 HRC Seattle Gala". YouTube.
  16. ↑ Grey, Matt. "Meet The Popular Andre, From AHS: Apocalypse".
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