The University of Hawai'i's all-time leading tackler Solomon Elimimian announced his retirement from professional football after a 10-year career in the Canadian Football League.
 
Elimimian spent the majority of his career with the British Columbia Lions where he won a Grey Cup championship in 2011 and was the league's Most Outstanding Player in 2014. The four-time CFL All-Star also received the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award in 2014 and '16 and was the CFL's Rookie of the Year in 2010 becoming the first player in CFL history to win three different awards in his career.

Blessed for the great opportunity to play in the @CFL. With tremendous support from my family, friends, and teammates I'm excited to move on to the next chapter in my Life. Which Includes my role as CFLPA President. #Thankyou #CFLPA https://t.co/Qsul907DsP

— Solomon Elimimian (@SolomonE56) February 9, 2021

The Los Angeles, Calif., native spent nine seasons with BC and finished his career with Saskatchewan in 2019. Over his career, he tallied 833 tackles, 33 sacks, and eight interceptions in 10 seasons. During his 2014 campaign, in which he became the first defensive player to win the league's MVP award, he set a new CFL record with 143 tackles, including five sacks, one interception, and three fumble recoveries.
 

After a storied career in the CFL, Solomon Elimimian is hanging up his cleats.

Congratulations Solly & enjoy retirement (you've earned it). pic.twitter.com/OG6Qz6XwrO

— CFL (@CFL) February 9, 2021

At UH, Elimimian finished as the school's all-time leading tackler with 434. During his senior season in 2008, he was named the Western Athletic Conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Year and garnered all-WAC first-team honors for second straight season. The Crenshaw High product began his career by earning Freshman All-America honors in 2005.
 
Elimimian went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft but joined the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. The following season, he signed a free agent contract with BC in 2010. Last February, he was elected President of the CFL Players Association.