BC Lions

B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham, right, goes up for a pass as Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dionte Ruffin blocks him during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Burnham has announced his retirement, ending an eight-year career with the CFL franchise. Burnham, a four-time CFL all-star, had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards wit the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Family comes first for retiring B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham

Talented wideout was a 4-time CFL all-star

B.C. Lions receiver Bryan Burnham, right, goes up for a pass as Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dionte Ruffin blocks him during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Burnham has announced his retirement, ending an eight-year career with the CFL franchise. Burnham, a four-time CFL all-star, had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards wit the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Colts among the team’s eyeing Lions Rourke south of the border

CFL’s outstanding Canadian will be working out in Indianapolis this month

Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
BC Lions’ quarterback Vernon Adams (8), Bryan Burnham (16) and Alexander Hollins (13) comfort eachother after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL western final in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

THE MOJ: Pretty safe bet the B.C. Lions will be expecting more than 5 1/2 wins next year

Checking their egos at the door made for a surprising and satisfying year in B.C. Place

BC Lions’ quarterback Vernon Adams (8), Bryan Burnham (16) and Alexander Hollins (13) comfort eachother after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL western final in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Desmond Lawrence (46) knocks down a pass intended for BC Lions’ Dominique Rhymes (19) during the first half of CFL western final action in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Blue Bombers win CFL West final by beating B.C. Lions 28-20

Winnipeg one victory away from third straight Grey Cup title

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Desmond Lawrence (46) knocks down a pass intended for BC Lions’ Dominique Rhymes (19) during the first half of CFL western final action in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Former Vancouver Canucks linemates Todd Bertuzzi, from left, Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, of Sweden, are honoured during a ceremony before the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres play an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 7, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: B.C. still has a special place in the heart of Brendan Morrison

Former Canuck centre has stayed busy since his NHL career came to a close in 2012

Former Vancouver Canucks linemates Todd Bertuzzi, from left, Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, of Sweden, are honoured during a ceremony before the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres play an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 7, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke runs for a touchdown during the second half of CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke nominated for two CFL individual awards

Victoria native was named the B.C. Lions’ nominee as top Canadian and outstanding player

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke runs for a touchdown during the second half of CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Lions receiver Jevon Cottoy (86) catches the football against Saskatchewan Roughriders during the fourth quarter of CFL football action against BC Lions in Regina on August 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

‘We don’t have good memories’: B.C. Lions eager for long-awaited return to Edmonton

COVID-19 pandemic means its been 2 years since the teams clashed in Commonwealth Stadium

BC Lions receiver Jevon Cottoy (86) catches the football against Saskatchewan Roughriders during the fourth quarter of CFL football action against BC Lions in Regina on August 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Lions hosting playoff game at BC Place not the slam dunk you might think

As for the Canucks tough start, it’s three games people

B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (8) is hit by Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Willie Jefferson, back left, as he’s tackled by him and Alden Darby Jr. (22) during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dynamic defence powers B.C. Lions to 40-32 win over Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Pair of pick sixes help Leos creep closer to a home playoff spot

B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (8) is hit by Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Willie Jefferson, back left, as he’s tackled by him and Alden Darby Jr. (22) during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (right) evades Toronto Argonauts’ JaGared Davis during first half CFL football action in Toronto on Saturday October 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Bethel-Thompson’s late TD pass lifts Toronto Argos to 23-20 win over B.C. Lions

B.C. (10-5) remains second in CFL’s West Division

B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (right) evades Toronto Argonauts’ JaGared Davis during first half CFL football action in Toronto on Saturday October 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
BC Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (left) catches a pass and gets tackled by Toronto Argonauts’ DaShaun Amos during second half of CFL football action in Vancouver on June 25, 2022. Toronto (8-6) hosts B.C. (10-4) on Friday night at BMO Field. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Toronto Argonauts set to square off at home versus B.C. Lions

B.C. is 5-1 away from B.C. Place this season and 4-1 against East Division rivals

BC Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (left) catches a pass and gets tackled by Toronto Argonauts’ DaShaun Amos during second half of CFL football action in Vancouver on June 25, 2022. Toronto (8-6) hosts B.C. (10-4) on Friday night at BMO Field. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
B.C. Lions’ James Butler, left, tries to fend off Ottawa Redblacks’ Alonzo Addae as he carries the ball during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, September 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vernon Adams Jr. shines as B.C. Lions thump Ottawa Redblacks 34-19

QB throws for 305 yards and two touchdowns

B.C. Lions’ James Butler, left, tries to fend off Ottawa Redblacks’ Alonzo Addae as he carries the ball during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, September 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Calgary Stampeders’ Ka’Deem Carey, centre, runs past B.C. Lions’ David Menard (56) and Ben Hladik (46) to score a touchdown during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Stampeders lean on defence to tame listless B.C. Lions 25-11 in Vancouver

Despite the loss, Leos clinch first playoff spot since 2018

Calgary Stampeders’ Ka’Deem Carey, centre, runs past B.C. Lions’ David Menard (56) and Ben Hladik (46) to score a touchdown during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams, left, hands the ball off to running back James Butler during first half CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

James Butler scores 2 rushing touchdowns, B.C. Lions edge Calgary 31-29 in OT

Leos (9-3) maintain hold on second place in CFL’s West Division

BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams, left, hands the ball off to running back James Butler during first half CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
B.C. Lions fullback David Mackie (34) protects the ball from Montreal Alouettes running back Jeshrun Antwi (20) during first half CFL football action in Montreal on Friday, September 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe

Alouettes bounce back behind impressive first half in 31-10 win over B.C. Lions

Leos struggling without No. 1 QB Nathan Rourke

B.C. Lions fullback David Mackie (34) protects the ball from Montreal Alouettes running back Jeshrun Antwi (20) during first half CFL football action in Montreal on Friday, September 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. runs with the ball against the Ottawa Redblacks during second half CFL football action in Montreal, Monday, October 11, 2021. Adams Jr. sees opportunity with the B.C. Lions, the team he joined via a trade last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Move to Lions from Alouettes ‘bittersweet’ for QB Vernon Adams Jr.

The Lions were looking for help after their quarterback and backup suffered injuries

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. runs with the ball against the Ottawa Redblacks during second half CFL football action in Montreal, Monday, October 11, 2021. Adams Jr. sees opportunity with the B.C. Lions, the team he joined via a trade last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte, left, celebrates his winning field goal with defensive end Obum Gwacham (98) near game end CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday Aug. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

B.C. Lions chase down Calgary Stampeders with 41-40 comeback win

Whyte boots game-winning field goal with 2 seconds left in 4th quarter

BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte, left, celebrates his winning field goal with defensive end Obum Gwacham (98) near game end CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday Aug. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke looks to pass during the first half of CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rourke reaches new heights as B.C. Lions rout struggling Edmonton Elks 46-14

Canadian QB throws for a whopping 477 yards, 5 touchdowns

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke looks to pass during the first half of CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

B.C. Lions rally for 32-17 win over Roughriders, match best start since 2007

Leos overcome a 17-4 second-quarter deficit, move to 5-1 on CFL season

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (7) tries to run the ball past Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Tunde Adeleke during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Thursday, July 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions survive scare, claw out 17-12 victory over Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Lions force the Ti-Cats to turn the ball over on downs twice in the late going to seal the win

B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (7) tries to run the ball past Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Tunde Adeleke during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Thursday, July 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck