Courtesy CFL.ca:

One of the most revered and respected defenders in CFL history will continue his reign as the heart and soul of the Toronto Argonauts. LB Mike O’Shea has agreed to a contract extension with the club through the 2009 season.

Commented O’Shea, “It’s good to be able to pursue my passion for another year. I wasn’t ready to leave the locker room yet; it has been like a second home to me. My kids are extremely excited to see dad play again this year.”

A native of North Bay, Ontario, O’Shea possesses everything a Canadian middle linebacker should: grit, determination, leadership and the ability to recognize offences. A model of consistency, the Argos’ captain on defence is coming off a 2007 campaign that saw him rack up 77 defensive tackles, 4 special teams tackles, 4 QB sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

O’Shea currently sits third all-time in defensive tackles (behind Alondra Johnson, 1,084, and Willie Pless, 1,241) - first all-time by a Canadian - with 1,083 and holds five East Division All-Star and one CFL All-Star nominations to his credit. In 1999, he was named the CFL and East Division Outstanding Canadian (the only Argo to do so) and helped lead the Argos to three Grey Cup victories in 1996, 1997 and 2004.

Remarked Argonauts’ GM/Vice President Football Operations Adam Rita, “Finally! The negotiation took almost as long as his tenure with the Argos. We are thrilled that we were able to come to terms, and we now have our defensive leader back on the field.”

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