Born: March 20, 1991 – Seattle, Washington
2023:   Years as a Lion: 9th  Years in CFL: 9th   Status: American
Career Games: 109    Playoffs: 5    Grey Cup: 0

Acquired:
T.J was signed by the Lions following an impressive free agent camp showing in Seattle in May 2014. He re-signed with the club in February 2017, inked a couple of extensions prior to 2022 and then signed a two-year deal to remain with the club through 2024.

Highlights:

2022: The reliable veteran had another productive campaign in orange and black, suiting up in 15 regular season games and registering 57 total tackles (53 defence, four special teams), three interceptions to bring his career total to 23 and one defensive touchdown which helped seal a huge victory over Winnipeg at home on October 15. Suited up in career game number 100 on July 29 at Saskatchewan and would make a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, recording 12 defensive tackles in two contests.

2021: TJ was once again a major cog in the Lions’ defensive wheel, both for his play and for his veteran leadership. Lee earned another West Division All-Star nod after registering 71 defensive tackles, 12 more on special teams, four interceptions and a forced fumble in 14 games. Recorded the second multi-interception of his career in a 43-10 win over Edmonton on November 19th.

2019: Another consistent 18-game performance by the six-year veteran defensive back as T.J. tallied 66 tackles, four interceptions, four tackles for a loss and eight knockdowns on the year. His leadership and steady play were rewarded with his first team nomination as Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

2018: T.J. put together arguably his best season as a pro in 2018. The Eastern Washington grad was the unquestioned leader in the secondary for the Leos and continued to make key plays in big moments for the club. T.J. led the Lions with 81 defensive tackles, recorded two special teams stops, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions through 18 games. He returned one of those interceptions 37 yards for a touchdown during the Lions’ 32-14 victory against the Montreal Alouettes on September 14. He also appeared in the East Division Semi-Final, recording two defensive tackles. T.J. was rewarded with a West Division All-Star selection for his remarkable season.

2017: T.J. appeared in 15 games recording a team-high four interceptions along with 49 defensive tackles, 10 pass knockdowns and a special teams stop. He managed to bounce back from a dislocated elbow injury suffered against Edmonton on July 28, missing just three starts before returning to the lineup on August 26. His most notable performance of the season came in Winnipeg on October 28 where he hauled in a pair of interceptions.

2016: Set for another productive season, T.J. started the first four games of the regular season at defensive halfback recording 15 tackles, one sack and four pass knockdowns before suffering a season-ending injury in Regina on July 16.

2015: TJ started at defensive halfback in all 17 of his regular season appearances. His 82 tackles ranked second only to Adam Bighill as did his four interceptions which trailed only Ryan Phillips. TJ also added three sacks, three tackles for a loss and five pass knockdowns on the year.

2014: Another great find for the Lions, T.J. appeared in eight regular season games and was a starter in seven of them recording 24 defensive tackles. He picked up his first pro interception on Oct 11/14 versus Ottawa to go along with two pass knockdowns, one tackle for a loss and a pair of forced fumbles on the year.

Kudos:
CFL All-Star: 2018
West Division All-Star: 2018, 2021

College:
2010-2013: T.J. appeared in 49 career games at Eastern Washington notching 182 tackles four interceptions and seven forced fumbles. The Seattle native was a three-time All Big-Sky selection as well was an NFLPA Collegiate Bowl selection following his senior season in 2013.

Personal:
T.J. majored in Sociology at Eastern Washington University where he set the school record for most forced fumbles playing alongside current Calgary Stampeders pivot Bo Levi Mitchell. He was just six years old when he began playing football. T.J. is still a kid at heart and counts The Lion King 2 as his favourite movie. He says his most memorable football moment to date is winning the D-1AA National Championship.