Football

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) outruns Minnesota Vikings linebacker Curtis Weaver (54) in NFL pre-season action Thursday night at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 24-13 in the pre-season opener for both teams. Photo courtesy of Seattle Seahawks

THE MOJ: Don’t tell me the NFL exhibition season means nothing

It might have little impact on your team as a whole, but it’s everything to players on the bubble

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) outruns Minnesota Vikings linebacker Curtis Weaver (54) in NFL pre-season action Thursday night at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 24-13 in the pre-season opener for both teams. Photo courtesy of Seattle Seahawks
The 2024 season will be the last of the PAC-12 as we know it as eight teams leave the conference for greener pastures. Photo courtesy of PAC-12

THE MOJ: Sad times for West Coast college football fans as PAC-12 implodes

Plus some NFL, MLB talk and a broadcasting travesty

The 2024 season will be the last of the PAC-12 as we know it as eight teams leave the conference for greener pastures. Photo courtesy of PAC-12
Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019. B.C.’s Simon Fraser University says its athletics director has left the institution.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

SFU’s athletics director leaves university months after football controversy

Independent assessment of the future of SFU football remains ongoing

Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019. B.C.’s Simon Fraser University says its athletics director has left the institution.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams (3) gets set to throw against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Adams leads B.C. Lions to dominant 30-6 win over Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Leos remain unbeaten on CFL season with 3-0 record

B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams (3) gets set to throw against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during first half CFL action in Winnipeg Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Limited-edition T-shirts featuring rapper LL Cool J will be sold at the BC Lions game Saturday at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. (Photo: twitter.com/BCLions)

Concert by rap icon LL Cool J helps Lions pack BC Place for Saturday’s first home game

‘The response for this year’s Concert Kickoff has been tremendous,’ says team president

Limited-edition T-shirts featuring rapper LL Cool J will be sold at the BC Lions game Saturday at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. (Photo: twitter.com/BCLions)
Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019. Simon Fraser University’s athletic department says its football program will not play exhibition games in the fall as it is “not feasible.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Special adviser says Simon Fraser University football exhibition plan not feasible

Bob Copeland says playing competitive exhibition games poses safety and logistical concerns

Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019. Simon Fraser University’s athletic department says its football program will not play exhibition games in the fall as it is “not feasible.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The U19 BCPFA flag football provincial championships are happening this weekend, June 9-11, at South Surrey Athletic Park, bringing more than 180 teams and approximately 2,000 people to the Semiahmoo Peninsula. (White Rock South Surrey Titans Minor Football photo)

BCPFA U19 flag football championships held June 9-11

Tournament brings more than 180 teams, 2,000 people together

The U19 BCPFA flag football provincial championships are happening this weekend, June 9-11, at South Surrey Athletic Park, bringing more than 180 teams and approximately 2,000 people to the Semiahmoo Peninsula. (White Rock South Surrey Titans Minor Football photo)
FILE - Pro Football Hall of Fame football star Jim Brown talks to a reporter following a news conference at his home in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999. NFL legend, actor and social activist Jim Brown passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, May 18, 2023, with his wife, Monique, by his side, according to a spokeswoman for Brown’s family. He was 87. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Jim Brown, all-time NFL great and social activist, dead at 87

Dominating running back went on to become an actor and a voice of Black Americans

FILE - Pro Football Hall of Fame football star Jim Brown talks to a reporter following a news conference at his home in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999. NFL legend, actor and social activist Jim Brown passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, May 18, 2023, with his wife, Monique, by his side, according to a spokeswoman for Brown’s family. He was 87. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
B.C. Lions Director of U.S. Scouting Ryan Rigmaiden loves training camp. (photo courtesy Bob Marjanovich)

THE MOJ: Finding good talent and good teammates a mission for B.C. Lions scout

Ryan Rigmaiden’s ongoing quest to find the right players makes training camp like Christmas morning

B.C. Lions Director of U.S. Scouting Ryan Rigmaiden loves training camp. (photo courtesy Bob Marjanovich)
B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead, right, is tackled by Calgary Stampeders’ Jonathan Moxey during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions players, staff express belief in offence to replicate 2022 form

Team expects to be dangerous despite changes

B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead, right, is tackled by Calgary Stampeders’ Jonathan Moxey during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Dan and Tanya Snyder, co-owner and co-CEOs of the Washington Commanders, pose for photos after unveiling their NFL football team's new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. Dan Snyder has an agreement in principle to sell the Washington Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales that includes Magic Johnson for a North American professional sports team record $6.05 billion. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

NFL’s Commanders sold for a record $6 billion to a group that includes Magic Johnson

Deal is the highest price ever paid for a North American professional sports franchise

FILE - Dan and Tanya Snyder, co-owner and co-CEOs of the Washington Commanders, pose for photos after unveiling their NFL football team's new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. Dan Snyder has an agreement in principle to sell the Washington Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales that includes Magic Johnson for a North American professional sports team record $6.05 billion. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Simon Fraser University football team players hold a banner after attending a hearing at B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 1, 2023. Simon Fraser University says it has appointed a special adviser to help determine the future of its cancelled football program.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

SFU names special adviser as it looks for feedback on its cancelled football team

Bob Copeland will provide assessment regarding viability of resuming SFU football in 2024 or later

Simon Fraser University football team players hold a banner after attending a hearing at B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 1, 2023. Simon Fraser University says it has appointed a special adviser to help determine the future of its cancelled football program.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin speaks in front of University of Cincinnati Medical Center staff during the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 57 football game, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Phoenix. Damar Hamlin will put the $9.1 million given to a GoFundMe campaign by well-wishers after his on-field collapse into his own nonprofit, the Chasing M’s Foundation. The decision, first shared with The Associated Press Monday, May 8, 2023, is a first step in the 25-year-old’s plan for the unprecedented outpouring of support that he received after his heart stopped following a tackle during a Monday night football game in January. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Bills’ Hamlin will put the millions raised into his charity

Player received an unprecedented outpouring of support after his heart stopped during a game

FILE - Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin speaks in front of University of Cincinnati Medical Center staff during the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 57 football game, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Phoenix. Damar Hamlin will put the $9.1 million given to a GoFundMe campaign by well-wishers after his on-field collapse into his own nonprofit, the Chasing M’s Foundation. The decision, first shared with The Associated Press Monday, May 8, 2023, is a first step in the 25-year-old’s plan for the unprecedented outpouring of support that he received after his heart stopped following a tackle during a Monday night football game in January. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
FILE - Joe Kapp, quarterback for California 1956-58, talks about his experiences in college and pro football during an interview Aug. 13, 2005, at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. Kapp, was a tough quarterback who led the Minnesota Vikings to their first Super Bowl appearance and the B.C. Lions to their first Grey Cup title. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, File)

Former CFL, NFL quarterback Joe Kapp dead at age of 85

Known for his toughness, Kapp led the B.C. Lions to their first Grey Cup title in 1964

FILE - Joe Kapp, quarterback for California 1956-58, talks about his experiences in college and pro football during an interview Aug. 13, 2005, at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. Kapp, was a tough quarterback who led the Minnesota Vikings to their first Super Bowl appearance and the B.C. Lions to their first Grey Cup title. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, File)
Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019. Simon Fraser University has retained a Vancouver-based lawyer after concerns were raised by student-athletes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Simon Fraser University hires lawyer after student-athletes voice concerns

The university has hired Sarah Chamberlain, who works for the law firm Southern Butler Price

Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019. Simon Fraser University has retained a Vancouver-based lawyer after concerns were raised by student-athletes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Simon Fraser University football team players hold a banner after attending a hearing at B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 1, 2023.The Simon Fraser Football Alumni Society outlined details Friday of a proposal it sent to the school regarding the future of its football program.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Simon Fraser Football Alumni Society tables save-the-team proposal to university

Proposal calls for university to open talks with Canada West and U Sports

Simon Fraser University football team players hold a banner after attending a hearing at B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 1, 2023.The Simon Fraser Football Alumni Society outlined details Friday of a proposal it sent to the school regarding the future of its football program.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
SFU football player and Abbotsford product Sam Davenport has wrote a letter to SFU president Joy Johnson to urge her to reconsider scrapping the football program. (Wilson Wong/SFU Athletics)

SFU footballer pens letter to university pleading to bring program back

Abbotsford’s Sam Davenport states that uncertainty around the team has destroyed his mental health

SFU football player and Abbotsford product Sam Davenport has wrote a letter to SFU president Joy Johnson to urge her to reconsider scrapping the football program. (Wilson Wong/SFU Athletics)
Simon Fraser University football players and their supporters leave B.C. Supreme Court after attending a hearing, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 1, 2023. The lawyer representing players and alumni of Simon Fraser UniversityÕs football team asked a judge to grant an injunction that would require the university to attempt to bring back the axed program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Football players feeling optimistic after SFU reinstatement case made in court

Judge has reserved injunction decision, football program alumni set to speak to university governors

Simon Fraser University football players and their supporters leave B.C. Supreme Court after attending a hearing, in Vancouver, on Monday, May 1, 2023. The lawyer representing players and alumni of Simon Fraser UniversityÕs football team asked a judge to grant an injunction that would require the university to attempt to bring back the axed program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A Simon Fraser University football helmet is shown in a handout photo. The school ceased the program amid concerns it would have nowhere to play after the 2023 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO/Simon Fraser University

SFU football players, alumni in court asking for axed program’s rebirth

Lawyer asks for injunction requiring the university to bring back football

A Simon Fraser University football helmet is shown in a handout photo. The school ceased the program amid concerns it would have nowhere to play after the 2023 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO/Simon Fraser University
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

NFL draft dominated early by quarterbacks, including top pick Young

QBs Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson were among the top four picks

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)