Football

Giovanni Manu helped bring the Thunderbirds to a winning record of 6-5 for the 2022 season. (Bob Frid/UBC Athletics)

2023 CFL Draft loses star UBC linemen Giovanni Manu and Theo Benedet

The top-ranked Thunderbirds opted out of the upcoming spring draft in hopes of title shot

Giovanni Manu helped bring the Thunderbirds to a winning record of 6-5 for the 2022 season. (Bob Frid/UBC Athletics)
The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed they hosted 24-year-old, Victoria native CFL star quarterback Nathan Rourke for a workout Monday. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, on June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kansas City Chiefs latest NFL team to take a look at B.C. Lions quarterback Rourke

CFL’s top Canadian has worked out with 10 teams south of the border

The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed they hosted 24-year-old, Victoria native CFL star quarterback Nathan Rourke for a workout Monday. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, on June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson speaks outside Langford City Hall on Jan. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Victoria area pushing to attract the BC Lions for a regular-season home game

Similar one-off games have been held in Halifax last year, CFL team ‘intrigued’

Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson speaks outside Langford City Hall on Jan. 6. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Buffalo Bills players and staff pray for Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Football fans grapple with violent side of a beloved sport

‘People sometimes look at players like they’re in a video game’

Buffalo Bills players and staff pray for Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)

UPDATE: Doctors: Damar Hamlin communicating, showing improvement

Fallen Bill communicating, asks ‘Did we win?’ as doctors say neurological function intact

FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)
Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

NFL rallies to support fallen Bill Hamlin as his condition improves

‘I’ve got him. The world’s got him’: recovery from cardiac arrest moving in a positive direction

Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
FILE -NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a press conference following the close of the NFL owner’s meeting, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 he isn’t ready to oust Daniel Snyder as owner of the Washington Commanders and wants to discuss the possibility with other NFL owners.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’ headed to YouTube beginning next season

Paid service currently averages 2 million subscribers.

FILE -NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a press conference following the close of the NFL owner’s meeting, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 he isn’t ready to oust Daniel Snyder as owner of the Washington Commanders and wants to discuss the possibility with other NFL owners.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
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
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

THE MOJ: Continued surprises are what makes the NFL must-watch sports

Experts from around the league share their takes on the season’s most unexpected developments

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
West Kelowna native Ethan Beselt (number 4) was honoured for this senior season with the SFU Red Leafs. (SFU Red Leafs/Contributed)

West Kelowna SFU star receives all-conference honour

Beselt finished his career with 98 catches for 1,317 yards, and nine touchdowns in 32 games.

West Kelowna native Ethan Beselt (number 4) was honoured for this senior season with the SFU Red Leafs. (SFU Red Leafs/Contributed)
Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dejon Brissett during a practice in Regina, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Toronto Argonauts will be playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Catching up on the CFL as the Grey Cup nears kickoff

Given status of Bomber QB Collaros, I’d probably take the Argonauts and the 5 points

Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dejon Brissett during a practice in Regina, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Toronto Argonauts will be playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Singer Teagan Littlechief stands for a photograph in front of Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Littlechief will be singing the national anthem in the languages of Cree, English, and French at the 109th Grey Cup game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

‘Break a barrier’: Indigenous artist to sing part of O Canada in Cree at Grey Cup

Teagan Littlechief to perform national anthem in three languages — English, French and Cree

Singer Teagan Littlechief stands for a photograph in front of Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Littlechief will be singing the national anthem in the languages of Cree, English, and French at the 109th Grey Cup game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
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
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
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts toward fans after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt York)

THE MOJ: These are interesting times to be a B.C. sports fan

Lions, Seahawks riding high as the Canucks roil in despair

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts toward fans after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt York)
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke looks downfield during second half CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday Aug. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

QB Rourke ready as Lions prepare to host Stampeders in western semifinal

B.C. will make its first post-season appearance since 2018 on Sunday

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke looks downfield during second half CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Saturday Aug. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal
The Grey Cup trophy sits on display before a B.C. Lions news conference where the Canadian Football League team was announced as hosts of 2024 Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Grey Cup latest step in Doman’s bid to reconnect B.C. with the Lions

Lions owner is a man on a mission with the vision to get things done

The Grey Cup trophy sits on display before a B.C. Lions news conference where the Canadian Football League team was announced as hosts of 2024 Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams, right, throws the ball as Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Shawn Lemon closes in during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Calgary Stampeders prep for B.C. Lions, West semifinal

‘This is going to be one of the best matchups of the year’

BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams, right, throws the ball as Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Shawn Lemon closes in during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Winnipeg Blue Bombers celebrate their Grey Cup win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at a Grey Cup celebration at their stadium in Winnipeg on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Vancouver, B.C. Lions to host 2024 Grey Cup

Vancouver last hosted the Grey Cup in 2014 when Calgary downed Hamilton

Winnipeg Blue Bombers celebrate their Grey Cup win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at a Grey Cup celebration at their stadium in Winnipeg on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Abbotsford’s Chase Claypool has been traded to the Chicago Bears. (NFL photo)

Abbotsford’s Chase Claypool traded to the Chicago Bears

Pittsburgh Steelers trade Abbotsford Senior Secondary School grad for a second round draft pick

Abbotsford’s Chase Claypool has been traded to the Chicago Bears. (NFL photo)