Rison looking for new team

Latest News

PERRY LEFKO -- Toronto Sun

Aug 26, 2005

, Last Updated: 7:20 AM ET

The controversial career of Andre Rison has come to an end again, but he's not ready to retire.

The Argonauts, who revived Rison's professional career last season after a four-year layoff from the National Football League, released the 38-year-old yesterday so he could find employment with another team.

"It was mutual," Argos vice-president of football operations Adam Rita said. "He understood we're not going to use him unless we're in dire straits. Hopefully he'll get another job."

Rison could not be reached for comment, but his representative, Bill Thies, indicated the player is disappointed.

"It's a shame, he did everything that was asked of him this year," Thies said. "He's had an amazing career, but if you ask him he's flat-out not interested in retiring. He still has a good three, four years in him."

Thies said he has already talked to two other teams in the CFL and two in the NFL, indicating some are interested and some aren't, his brash attitude a factor.

"People don't understand his personality and his persona," Thies said.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are currently last in the league with an 0-8 record, may have interest in Rison. They play tonight at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"Let's see what happens," Hamilton's director of football operations Ron Lancaster said. "I think we'll get everyone involved in that one."

Rison came into training camp this year at roughly 185 pounds, roughly 30 less than when he joined the team a year ago. He was a long shot to make the starting lineup because of an overload of talent at the wideout spot, then injured his ribs in the final pre-season game. He played in only one game this year, but didn't catch a pass.

Rison, who is one of the NFL's career leaders with 743 receptions, joined the Argos as a free agent in August, 2004, catching 14 passes, including one for a touchdown, for 174 yards. He did not play in the playoffs.

Last December, he went to Atlanta to appear in front of a judge to address the issue of failing to make child support payments since August 2002. The judge ordered Rison to spend 20 days in jail for violating a court order on the matter. He was released after paying $10,000 and agreeing to maintain monthly payments.