CFL veteran Shawn Bane Jr. joins the Paris Lights
The Paris Lights have made another impressive addition to their roster, signing American wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. The signing comes after A-Import Tristen Wallace was placed on injured reserve, and Bane arrives with a Grey Cup championship and proven production at the highest level of Canadian football.
A standout college career
Bane played his college football for Northwest Missouri State from 2015 to 2018, where he put together an incredibly productive four years. Across 48 games he recorded 212 catches for 3,363 yards and 31 touchdowns, while also contributing as a dangerous return specialist with 74 punt returns for 878 yards and two touchdowns, plus 58 kickoff returns for 1,286 yards.
Breaking through in the CFL
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Bane found his footing in the CFL. Following time with the Calgary Stampeders, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2023 and immediately made his mark, leading the entire CFL in receptions with 93 and recording his first 1,000-yard receiving season with 1,104 yards. He earned a two-year contract extension on the back of that performance.
Overcoming injury and a Grey Cup champion
In 2024 Bane continued to produce, recording 49 receptions for 581 yards and five touchdowns before a torn ACL ended his season early. The injury kept him out for much of 2025, but he returned late in the year as the Roughriders clinched first place in the West Division. Although he was a healthy scratch for the postseason, Bane was part of the Saskatchewan Roughriders team that won the 112th Grey Cup championship over the Montreal Alouettes.
A dangerous new duo for Hillock
With Wallace now sidelined, Bane steps straight into a featured role alongside JJ Hopp, giving quarterback Evan Hillock a dangerous receiving duo to work with. Bane’s combination of size, production and championship pedigree makes him an exciting addition at exactly the right time for the Paris Lights.
