Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
The Ottawa Redblacks have released veteran Canadian kicker Lewis Ward.
The 33-year-old had a career-worst season in 2025, hitting 35 of 46 field goal attempts (76.1 percent), and 33 of 35 point-afters. Per sources, he was due a $10,000 report-and-pass bonus upon the opening of training camp, which the Redblacks will now save on paying.
“As an organization, we would like to thank Lewis for everything he brought to our football club both on and off the field,” vice president of football operations Shawn Burke said in a statement. “He accomplished so many great achievements during his time here. The accolades and records speak for themselves. He will be forever known as a Redblack great.”
Ward saw action in 117 games over his seven seasons with the Redblacks (2018-25), converting 300 of 347 field goal attempts (86.5 percent) with a career-long of 56 yards while also registering 140 of 151 convert attempts (92.7 percent).
The University of Ottawa product was named the league’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Rookie in 2018. That same season, Ward earned All-CFL and East All-CFL honours after converting 51 of 52 field goal attempts (98.1 percent) with a long of 52 yards. Ward also set a professional football record when he converted 69 consecutive field goals across the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
The Redblacks do not currently have a replacement kicker on the roster. American Noah Gettman and Global James Burnip are the only specialists on the roster, both of whom are punters.
The Redblacks hold the first overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. The team will play its first preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, May 22, and its first regular-season game against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, June 6.
In 2025, Ottawa finished fourth in the East Division standings with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Ryan Dinwiddie was hired as the team’s head coach and general manager after the firing of Bob Dyce.
