2008 Hamilton Tiger - Cats season The 2008 Hamilton Tiger - Cats season was the 51st season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 59th overall . The Tiger - Cats attempted to win their 9th Grey Cup championship , but they failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season , which is the longest playoff drought in franchise history . Offseason . Jamacia Jackson . Ticats linebacker Jamacia Jackson died on April 16 , 2008 . Jackson was found unresponsive on Monday morning at a home in Sumter , South Carolina . He was later pronounced dead at a local area hospital . Jamacia was 26 years old . Jackson ’ s stepmother , Cleo Jackson , advised The Associated Press that he was in good health and had lifted weights Saturday . Jackson had played 12 games with the Ticats last season after signing with the club as a free agent Jan . 11 , 2007 . Jackson spent his college career at the University of South Carolina and played in 43 games over four seasons , including 21 as a starting strong safety . His career stats include 159 career tackles for the Gamecocks along with two interceptions , returning one 98 yards for a touchdown . He also forced three fumbles and recovered two others . Jackson was named Most Valuable Defensive Player of the 1999 Shrine Bowl . Jackson was signed by the NFL ’ s Tennessee Titans on April 29 , 2005 and was waived by the Titans on July 27 . After being cut by the Titans , he signed with the Montreal Alouettes and was assigned to their practice roster . Before coming to the CFL , he signed with the NFL ’ s New York Giants in 2006 but was allocated to NFL Europe . He was selected in the 16th round by the Berlin Thunder . Despite attending Berlin ’ s training camp , he was released March 5 , 2006 and subsequently cut loose by the Giants two weeks later . Jackson is the second Ticats ’ player to die during a recent off - season . Offensive lineman Travis Claridge died on February 28 , 2006 after being found unconscious in his Las Vegas home . Claridge was 27 at the time and his death was later ruled accidental . An autopsy revealed that Jackson died from an irregular heartbeat caused by an enlarged heart . Sumter County coroner Verna Moore stated on Tuesday April 16 that the autopsy revealed Jackson likely had an enlarged heart for years . CFL Draft . In the 2008 CFL Draft , 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country , as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA . The first two rounds were broadcast on TSN . ca with host Rod Black . The Hamilton Tiger - Cats , with the league - worst 3 – 15 record in the 2007 CFL season had several offers for their first - overall selection but kept their pick and chose Saskatchewan Huskies safety Dylan Barker . Barker , a native of Moose Jaw , Saskatchewan is a two - time Canadian Interuniversity Sport first - team all - Canadian . He led the Huskies with 53 tackles , three interceptions , and four breakups last season . It is expected that he will be able to help the Tiger - Cats in the 2008 CFL season . Regular season . The game on September 19 was the first game since the death of former Tiger Cats coach Ron Lancaster . The Ticats wore decals on their helmets for the game with a green number 23 . It was Lancaster ' s number as a player . The stadium stood for a video tribute and a moment of silence before the game began , with his family standing near the sidelines . This was also the Canadian Football Hall of Fame game . This year ' s inductees included Doug Flutie , Mike ( Pinball ) Clemons , Mike Pringle , John Bonk and builder Tom Shepherd . The inductees received their jackets and unveiled their bronzed busts during the halftime . Ron Lancaster . On Thursday , September 18 , Ron Lancaster , 69 , died from an apparent heart attack , less than two months after being diagnosed with lung cancer . Lancaster resigned as the Eskimos ' head coach after the 1997 season to become the Hamilton Tiger - Cats ' head coach and director of football operations . The Tiger - Cats reached the Grey Cup in their first season under Lancaster and won the title the following year . The Tiger - Cats were coached by Lancaster from 1998 to 2003 , and again in 2006 . The two - time CFL coach - of - the - year won 142 regular - season games on the sideline , placing him fourth all - time . Roster . As of Week 1 Statistics . Offence . Rushing . Despite leading the team in rushing yards , Jesse Lumsden was plagued by several injuries . On July 12 , in a game against Saskatchewan , stretched knee ligaments sidelined him . Against Montreal on July 31 , a tackler fell on his right ankle and injured him . In a game against Edmonton , played on September 13 , Lumsden injured his surgically repaired shoulder .