HAMILTON, Ont. -- The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed veteran centre Marwan Hage and released backup quarterback Quinton Porter on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Hage, who has spent nine seasons in Hamilton, was scheduled to become a free agent next month.
Hamilton selected the six-foot-two, 291-pound Hage in the second round, 14th overall in the 2004 CFL draft from Colorado. Hage, a native of Beirut, Lebanon, who grew up in Montreal, became the Ticats' starting centre in 2005 and has appeared in 126 regular-season games with the CFL squad.
Hage has been a CFLPA all-star four times, an East Division selection twice and once was named a league all-star. He was the East Division's top lineman in 2010.
"Marwan is not just an outstanding player, he's a respected leader in our locker room and a great representative of our organization in the community," Kent Austin, Hamilton's vice-president of football operations, GM and head coach, said in a statement.
Hage has also been very active in the Hamilton community and was awarded the Tom Pate Memorial award in '09 in recognition of those efforts.
The six-foot-five, 228-pound Porter spent five seasons with Hamilton. He saw action as Hamilton's starter throughout his time with the Ticats but last season was used predominantly in short-yardage situations.
The former Boston College star completed 358-of-562 passes for 4,095 yards and 21 touchdowns with 18 interceptions.
