It’s finally official, Geno Lewis is an Ottawa REDBLACK.
On February 12th, the receiver’s signing became real, but it has been a long time in the making. Fans first heard reports about a week ago during the CFL’s free agency communication window, but the move to the nation’s capital was on Lewis’ radar long before.
“I’ve wanted to play here for a couple of years now,” the Norristown, Pennsylvania native said. “I just felt like Ottawa was the best place for me to come and give my talents to my teammates, to this organization, to the fans, and do everything I possibly can to help this organization be successful.”
Lewis first made the move to the Canadian game in 2017, signing with the Montreal Alouettes that June. At the time, no one knew it, but they had signed a blossoming star.
He racked up 4,347 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns across five seasons, being named All-CFL East Division in three consecutive seasons, and All-CFL in 2021 and 2022, the year he was also named the East Division’s Most Outstanding Player.
In his Alouettes tenure, Lewis became a permanent resident of Montreal, where he still lives today. Home being so close by made his two-year marriage with the REDBLACKS all the more appetizing.
“There were some opportunities elsewhere for me to go and get more money,” Lewis admitted. “Ultimately I had to make the best decision for me and my career. I’m trying to win a Grey Cup, I’m trying to be in the Hall of Fame and I’m trying to break records in the CFL. I want to do so much.”
Compounding matters for the Oklahoma product are the relationships he has built with other former Alouettes, including Adarius Pickett and William Stanback.
“That’s my boy man,” Lewis said of Pickett, sharing similar feelings about Stanback. “I love his mindset and his goals. I know how great of a player and competitor he is, and I know how great of a person he is. I like to be around people who have no excuses, people who are gonna find a way to make it happen no matter what.”
Set to celebrate his 32nd birthday in April, Lewis has already had an illustrious CFL career, hauling in 398 passes for 6,261 yards and 41 touchdowns. He has been long considered one of the top wideouts in the league, which he has no plans to change any time soon.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time now,” Lewis said. “You can go and check my stats and you can go and check my film. That is going to tell you the type of player that I am. I know I’m a superstar in this league. I feel like I’m the best receiver in the CFL, and I feel like other people should feel they are the best receiver, too, but I prove it. I show it every each and every week I go out there.”
What exactly it means to be the best is defined differently depending on who you ask, of course. For Lewis, it’s not about the stats, but determined by who can rise above adversity when they’re needed the most.
In this REDBLACKS’ offence, which is absolutely flush with high-end talent, Lewis knows his role might not be to catch 15 passes every week, but his job will be important nevertheless. Whether the ball comes to him in the end zone, or he’s sucking up attention from the defence and freeing up one of the other weapons, he’s happy to do whatever Offensive Coordinator Tommy Condell is asking of him.
The REDBLACKS’ coaching staff and front office have an idea of how they’ll use Lewis’ big frame and sure hands, but they aren’t painting themselves into a corner, time will determine how things go. That said, the sheer number of quality options around him has Lewis giddy to get going in the spring.
“I think of Justin Hardy, he’s an unbelievable talent,” Lewis said. “I was watching him in college, and I’ll love being able to play with him. Playing with Bralon Addison is going to be awesome. I just met Kalil Pimpleton last night, and I like his energy, he’s a great young dude, and I love watching him play. All Dru Brown has to do is just give us a chance. He doesn’t have to be perfect, if he gives us a chance; we’re gonna make it right.”
Lewis briefly came to Ottawa, before flying to Florida, where he’ll spend a number of weeks preparing for the season. During his time in the nation’s capital, he completed his medical, toured the facility and met a handful of his new teammates, all of which only served to fuel his excitement for the season.
