Football

Ottawa Redblacks CFL football quarterback Henri Burris smiles as he announces his retirement in Ottawa Tuesday January 24, 2017. Burris joined the B.C. Lions coaching staff Tuesday as an offensive consultant.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Former CFL quarterback Henry Burris joins B.C. Lions coaching staff

Burris was quarterback for head coach Rick Campbell in 2016 when the Ottawa Redblacks won Grey Cup

Ottawa Redblacks CFL football quarterback Henri Burris smiles as he announces his retirement in Ottawa Tuesday January 24, 2017. Burris joined the B.C. Lions coaching staff Tuesday as an offensive consultant.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) eyes a pass in the end zone as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) attempts to tackle during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

MVP Kupp scores on late 1-yard reception as L.A. Rams beat Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl

Stafford tosses three touchdowns for victors in home stadium

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) eyes a pass in the end zone as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) attempts to tackle during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
FILE - A gambler makes a sports bet at Bally's casino in Atlantic City N.J., Sept. 5, 2019. A record 31.5 million Americans plan to bet on this year's Super Bowl, according to the gambling industry's national trade group. The American Gaming Association on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, released its annual predictions for wagering on pro football's championship game, forecasting that over $7.6 billion will be bet legally and otherwise. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

Bet on it: a lot of money is going to change hands Super Bowl weekend

31 million Americans to bet on their annual football title game, gambling group estimates

FILE - A gambler makes a sports bet at Bally's casino in Atlantic City N.J., Sept. 5, 2019. A record 31.5 million Americans plan to bet on this year's Super Bowl, according to the gambling industry's national trade group. The American Gaming Association on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, released its annual predictions for wagering on pro football's championship game, forecasting that over $7.6 billion will be bet legally and otherwise. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)
A Washington Commanders sign is shown as they unveil their NFL football team’s new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. The new name comes 18 months after the once-storied franchise dropped its old moniker following decades of criticism that it was offensive to Native Americans. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Washington’s NFL team unveils new name as Commanders

Owner says name pays ‘homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation’s capital’

A Washington Commanders sign is shown as they unveil their NFL football team’s new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. The new name comes 18 months after the once-storied franchise dropped its old moniker following decades of criticism that it was offensive to Native Americans. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts as he leaves the field after the team lost to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)

Tom Brady makes it official: announces retirement on Instagram

Football legend not going to ‘make that competitive commitment anymore’

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts as he leaves the field after the team lost to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
This is a June 10, 2015, photo of Mylan Hicks, who was shot and killed outside a nightclub where he and his Calgary Stampeder teammates had been celebrating a CFL victory. The Alberta Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence of the man who was convicted in the death of Hicks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo

Alberta Court of Appeal upholds sentence for man who killed Calgary Stampeder

Mylan Hicks was shot twice in 2016 outside the Marquee Beer Market in Calgary in 2016

This is a June 10, 2015, photo of Mylan Hicks, who was shot and killed outside a nightclub where he and his Calgary Stampeder teammates had been celebrating a CFL victory. The Alberta Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence of the man who was convicted in the death of Hicks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo
The NFL’s approach to dealing with vaccinated, asymptomatic COVID cases will be closely watched. (Courtesy of the NFL)

NFL could become trend-setter for COVID-19 testing policies

Football league is scaling back testing for vaccinated players in alignment with CDC guidelines

The NFL’s approach to dealing with vaccinated, asymptomatic COVID cases will be closely watched. (Courtesy of the NFL)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers celebrate their victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 108th CFL Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, December 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Blue Bombers defeat Tiger-Cats 33-25 in OT thriller to win 108th Grey Cup

Winnipeg repeats as Canadian Football League champs

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers celebrate their victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 108th CFL Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, December 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Langley Rams won the Canadian Bowl Saturday afternoon, Dec. 4, shutting out the Ontario Conference champion London Beefeaters 37-0 in London, Ontario for the first national title in franchise history. (Boris Terzic Photography/Special to Langley Advance Times)

B.C.’s Langley Rams win Canadian Bowl

First time team has taken national championship

Langley Rams won the Canadian Bowl Saturday afternoon, Dec. 4, shutting out the Ontario Conference champion London Beefeaters 37-0 in London, Ontario for the first national title in franchise history. (Boris Terzic Photography/Special to Langley Advance Times)
B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (7), quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) and Bryan Burnham, back left, celebrate before Whitehead’s touchdown was called back when he was ruled down at the one yard line during the first half of a CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Friday, November 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rookie Rourke shines as B.C. Lions crush Edmonton Elks 43-10 in regular-season finale

Leos wrap up CFL year, miss playoffs with 5-9 record

B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead (7), quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) and Bryan Burnham, back left, celebrate before Whitehead’s touchdown was called back when he was ruled down at the one yard line during the first half of a CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Friday, November 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly, right, hits the ground after Calgary Stampeders’ Shawn Lemon forced him to fumble the ball leading to a turnover during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Stampeders clinch CFL playoff spot, eliminate B.C. with 33-23 win over Lions

Calgary will make 16th straight post-season appearance

B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly, right, hits the ground after Calgary Stampeders’ Shawn Lemon forced him to fumble the ball leading to a turnover during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Place is back as the host of the B.C. high school football provincial after they originally stated they were unable to this year. (File photo)

BC Place back as host of B.C. high school football semifinals and finals

AAA Varsity, AA Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Grade 8 division teams return on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4

BC Place is back as the host of the B.C. high school football provincial after they originally stated they were unable to this year. (File photo)
BC Lions quarterback Michael Reilly is sacked by Hamilton Tiger Cats defensive end Julian Howsare (95) during first half CFL football game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday, November 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Masoli throws TD pass as Tiger-Cats down B.C. Lions 26-18 to clinch CFL playoff berth

Hamilton hands British Columbia side its sixth straight loss

BC Lions quarterback Michael Reilly is sacked by Hamilton Tiger Cats defensive end Julian Howsare (95) during first half CFL football game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday, November 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
B.C. Lions wide receiver Bryan Burnham (16) makes a touchdown catch as he his defended by Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jalen Collins (7) during first half CFL action in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler

Kicker Camacho misses 3 late field goals as B.C. Lions fall 31-29 in OT to Argos

Toronto hands B.C. (4-7) a fifth straight CFL loss

B.C. Lions wide receiver Bryan Burnham (16) makes a touchdown catch as he his defended by Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jalen Collins (7) during first half CFL action in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler
Abbotsford’s Sandeep Singh Kaila has established a new Guinness World Record for spinning a football on one finger. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

VIDEO: B.C. man establishes world record for spinning football on one finger

Local man achieves another Guinness World Record, hopes to continue journey to set more

Abbotsford’s Sandeep Singh Kaila has established a new Guinness World Record for spinning a football on one finger. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Deatrick Nichols (32) knocks the ball away from B.C. Lions’ Lemar Durant (1) as he attempts the catch during the first half of CFL action in Winnipeg Saturday, October 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Winnipeg Blue Bombers blast B.C. Lions 45-0 for 8th straight CFL win

QB Zach Collaros passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns for victors

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Deatrick Nichols (32) knocks the ball away from B.C. Lions’ Lemar Durant (1) as he attempts the catch during the first half of CFL action in Winnipeg Saturday, October 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Vernon Panthers and Bateman Timberwolves battle at a past B.C. high school provincial final in BC Place. That venue will not be hosting the 2021 slate of championship games. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

B.C. high school football searching for new venue

McLeod Athletic Park is not available, SFU reps scheduling a meeting after BC Place unable to host

The Vernon Panthers and Bateman Timberwolves battle at a past B.C. high school provincial final in BC Place. That venue will not be hosting the 2021 slate of championship games. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Calgary Stampeders’ Ka’Deem Carey (35) is upended by B.C. Lions’ Jalon Edwards-Cooper (29) as he runs the ball during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bo Levi Mitchell, surging Calgary Stampeders trounce beleaguered B.C. Lions 39-10

Leos suffer third straight loss, sit fourth in CFL’s West Division

Calgary Stampeders’ Ka’Deem Carey (35) is upended by B.C. Lions’ Jalon Edwards-Cooper (29) as he runs the ball during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) points toward the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Brady beats Belichik, sets passing yards record in return to New England

Legnedary quarterback admitted to getting emotional about facing his old team on Sunday night

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) points toward the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead celebrates his touchdown against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, September 24, 2021. Whitehead, Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence and Lions quarterback Michael Reilly have been named the CFL’s top performers for September. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Whitehead in the spotlight as B.C. Lions take on surging Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Lions (4-3) host reciever’s former team, the first-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers

B.C. Lions’ Lucky Whitehead celebrates his touchdown against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Friday, September 24, 2021. Whitehead, Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence and Lions quarterback Michael Reilly have been named the CFL’s top performers for September. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck