Montreal defensive lineman Adeyemi-Berglund captures Tom Pate Memorial Award

CALGARY — Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes has captured the 2026 Tom Pate Memorial Award.

The CFL Players Association made the announcement Wednesday.

The honour is presented annually to the CFL player who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and makes significant contributions to his team, community and the Players’ Association.

A central part of Adeyemi-Berglund’s community involvement is The Berglund Bridge Organization, which he founded to create opportunities for youth and support families through football, mentorship, food security and community initiatives. Through that, he has developed several programs, including the Holiday Harvest Drive and Bridge the Gap Youth Football Camp.

Adeyemi-Berglund and the Alouettes will meet the Edmonton Elks in the Grey Cup game. It’s Montreal’s second straight appearance in the CFL title game after losing last year’s contest to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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LEMON JOINS DAZN

Defensive lineman Shawn Lemon is retiring again.

DAZN has hired the veteran defensive end to join its CFL broadcasts starting next year. Lemon, 38, had nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 regular-season games with the Toronto Argonauts in 2026.

Lemon announced his first CFL retirement in April 2024 shortly after helping the Montreal Alouettes win the ’23 Grey Cup. Lemon began his pro career in Canada in 2011 and played for every team but the Hamilton Tiger-Cats while suiting up multiple times with several.

Lemon appeared in 170 career regular-season contests, registering 289 tackles (five for loss), 112 sacks, two special-teams tackles, five tackles for loss, 32 forced fumbles, 23 pass knockdowns, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery.

He won three Grey Cups (2014: Calgary Stampeders; 2017: Toronto Argonauts; 2023: Montreal).

DAZN also announced former CFL linebacker Simoni Lawrence will join its CFL broadcasts. Lawrence had served as a brand and community ambassador with the Hamilton Sports Group upon retiring from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023.

Lawrence began his CFL career with Edmonton in 2012 before being dealt to Hamilton. Lawrence, 37, played 169 career regular-season CFL games, recording 742 tackles (32 for loss), 35 sacks, 15 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, and 11 fumble recoveries.

He was a CFL all-star three times and the East Division’s top defensive player on three occasions.

Lemon and Lawrence join former Winnipeg quarterback Chris Streveler at DAZN. Streveler was hired in September.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2026.

The Canadian Press