Running back James Butler at once was expected to be the Hamilton Tiger-Cats dominant running back for the foreseeable future. That is before Butler hit tough times during the 2024 season and only played in 11 games after playing in 17 games and rushing for over 1000 yards during the 2023 season. The productivity dropoff resulted in Butler requesting to be released, and the Tiger-Cats granting his release allowed him to sign with the BC Lions.

Releasing Butler leaves the Tiger-Cats with an immediate need for high-quality players to add depth to their offensive backfield. According to the CFL Transactions list, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed American running back Spencer Brown. Brown has limited NFL experience but had a successful career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham during his collegiate career.

For Brown, coming to Hamilton gives the 6’0″, 220-pound native of Warrior, Alabama, an opportunity to significantly contribute to an offense professionally. Before signing with the Tiger-Cats, Brown signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Brown was on the Panthers team from 2021 until 2023, but he only had the opportunity to play in three games and only had nine carries for 43 yards while also catching two passes for 10 yards. The highlight of Brown’s career was a run for a touchdown during a Panthers pre-season game. In 2024, Brown signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but the Falcons cut Brown during their final cuts after training camp.

Brown played college football at UAB from 2017 until 2020, playing 45 games for the Blazers during those four seasons. During his career at UAB, Brown ran the ball 857 times for 4,011 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns. He also added 20 receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown catch.

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