Former Detroit Lions DB signs Canadian Football League contract

· Yahoo Sports

After five seasons in the NFL, where he spent time with the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions, 27-year-old defensive back Stantley Thomas-Oliver III is taking his talents to the Great White North, as he has signed with the Canadian Football League's BC Lions.

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The 6-foot, 194-pound native of Tallahassee, Fla., was Carolina's seventh-round selection (No. 221 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, where he would record 17 tackles (12 solo, 5 assisted) across 25 games played.

He later had stints on the New York Giants' and Detroit Lions' practice squads before making his final on-field appearance, dressing for Detroit's final regular-season game in 2024. Detroit would subsequently release Thomas-Oliver III on July 27, 2025, after he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp.

According to Spotrac, he earned approximately $2.81 million over his NFL career. As for his new deal with the BC Lions, no financial or contractual details have been revealed yet.

Thomas-Oliver III played collegiately at Florida International, where he suited up at receiver before converting to defensive back. Defensively, he made 94 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, 20 pass breakups, two interceptions, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2016.

While Thomas-Oliver III will now be donning different colors in the CFL this spring and into the summer in Vancouver, British Columbia, he will still be considered a Lion nonetheless.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Former Detroit Lions DB signs Canadian Football League contract

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