Football

B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly rushes for a first down during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions QB Mike Reilly throws 4 TDs in 45-13 blowout win over Redblacks

Leos (3-2) moved into a tie for second place in CFL’s West Division

B.C. Lions quarterback Michael Reilly rushes for a first down during the first half of a CFL football game against the Ottawa Redblacks in Vancouver, on Saturday, September 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Valley Huskers

BC Football Conference adopts policy requiring players, staff to be COVID vaccinated

Valley Huskers head coach Bob Reist said ‘it is what it is’ and the team is moving forward

Valley Huskers
Abbotsford’s Chase Claypool makes a catch against the Cleveland Browns during NFL Wildcard round action last season. (Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers)

Abbotsford’s Chase Claypool returning to the NFL gridiron on Sunday

Pittsburgh Steelers open 2021 regular season on the road in Buffalo against the Bills

Abbotsford’s Chase Claypool makes a catch against the Cleveland Browns during NFL Wildcard round action last season. (Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Valley Huskers head coach Bob Reist said Brandon O’Connor is a player the offence will rely on to “do things the way we need them done all the time, which is full speed.” (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)

Chilliwack’s Valley Huskers count on Brandon O’Connor to lead inexperienced offence

The former Manitoba Bison has the size, speed and smarts to dominate the BC Football Conference

Valley Huskers head coach Bob Reist said Brandon O’Connor is a player the offence will rely on to “do things the way we need them done all the time, which is full speed.” (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)
Ottawa Redblacks defensive lineman Praise Martin-Oguike grabs the arm of B.C. Lions running back Shaquille Cooper as he runs during first-half CFL football action in Ottawa on Saturday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press photo)

Reilly tosses 2 TDs as B.C. Lions spoil Redblacks’ home opener with 24-12 win

Game marked the first CFL contest at TD Place in 667 days

Ottawa Redblacks defensive lineman Praise Martin-Oguike grabs the arm of B.C. Lions running back Shaquille Cooper as he runs during first-half CFL football action in Ottawa on Saturday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press photo)
The new name and logo of the Edmonton Elks is seen on the field at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. In an update a day after the CFL postponed Thursday’s game between the Argonauts and Elks, the Edmonton Elks say nine players have tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Elks say nine players have tested positive for COVID-19, team in isolation

CFL has postponed Thursday’s game between the Argonauts and Elks at Toronto

The new name and logo of the Edmonton Elks is seen on the field at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. In an update a day after the CFL postponed Thursday’s game between the Argonauts and Elks, the Edmonton Elks say nine players have tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
B.C. Lions’ Dominique Rhymes (19) dives but fails to make the reception as Edmonton Elks’ Darius Williams, back, defends during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Thursday August 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Edmonton Elks spoil 2021 CFL homecoming for B.C. Lions with 21-16 triumph

QB Trevor Harris passes for 296 yards in winning effort

B.C. Lions’ Dominique Rhymes (19) dives but fails to make the reception as Edmonton Elks’ Darius Williams, back, defends during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, on Thursday August 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Lions players practice at the football team’s Surrey facility on Monday (Aug. 16, 2021). The CFL squad will play a home game Thursday night (Aug. 19) at BC Place, for the first time in nearly two years. (Photo: Tom Zillich)

Reilly takes the reins as Lions face Elks in B.C. Place return

Up to 12,500 spectators will be permitted into the lower bowl and suite areas

BC Lions players practice at the football team’s Surrey facility on Monday (Aug. 16, 2021). The CFL squad will play a home game Thursday night (Aug. 19) at BC Place, for the first time in nearly two years. (Photo: Tom Zillich)
BC Lions’ quarterback Michael Reilly, right, runs the ball as Calgary Stampeders’ Mike Rose closes in during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Defence combines for 4 interceptions as B.C. Lions earn 15-9 CFL win over Calgary

QB Michael Reilly throws for 342 yards in winning effort

BC Lions’ quarterback Michael Reilly, right, runs the ball as Calgary Stampeders’ Mike Rose closes in during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A football with the new CFL logo sits on a chair during a press conference in Winnipeg, Friday, November 27, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

CFL to remember children, families impacted by Canadian residential schools tragedy

Officials working the games will wear orange pins in recognition of the Every Child Matters

A football with the new CFL logo sits on a chair during a press conference in Winnipeg, Friday, November 27, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie speaks at a news conference in Halifax on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and the CFL are finally back in the football business, as the league kicks off the ‘21 season Thursday night, its first action since the 2019 Grey Cup game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

After long delay due to global pandemic, CFL finally set to resume playing football

Thursday night game Winnipeg the first action since the 2019 Grey Cup game

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie speaks at a news conference in Halifax on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and the CFL are finally back in the football business, as the league kicks off the ‘21 season Thursday night, its first action since the 2019 Grey Cup game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Former Chilliwack Giants volunteer treasurer Josh Cahoon pleaded guilty to fraud on June 29, 2021 for stealing $29,000 from the Chilliwack Giants youth football organization. (Facebook)

Fraser Valley youth football volunteer pleads guilty to fraud for stealing $29,000

Josh Cahoon stole from Chilliwack Giants while acting as treasurer

Former Chilliwack Giants volunteer treasurer Josh Cahoon pleaded guilty to fraud on June 29, 2021 for stealing $29,000 from the Chilliwack Giants youth football organization. (Facebook)
B.C. Lions’ new head coach Rick Campbell holds a team helmet after being introduced to the media during a news conference at the team training facility in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Blugh leaves B.C. Lions coaching post to attend to ‘personal and health matters’

Rick Campbell now has a vacancy on his coaching staff

B.C. Lions’ new head coach Rick Campbell holds a team helmet after being introduced to the media during a news conference at the team training facility in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Team president Craig Briere at the podium during the introductory press conference for the BCFC's seventh squad, the Prince George Kodiaks. (Facebook photo)

BC Football Conference conditionally approves new team in Prince George

The Kodiaks would begin play in 2022 and be the junior football league’s seventh franchise

Team president Craig Briere at the podium during the introductory press conference for the BCFC's seventh squad, the Prince George Kodiaks. (Facebook photo)
FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Nassib on Monday, June 21, 2021, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib announced the news on Instagram, saying he was not doing it for the attention but because “I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

More than a dozen NFL players have come out as gay after their careers were over

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Nassib on Monday, June 21, 2021, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib announced the news on Instagram, saying he was not doing it for the attention but because “I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler pushes away Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Cariel Brooks during the second half of the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, November 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

CFL approves 14-game 2021 season beginning Aug. 5

‘We’ve all been waiting for this for a very long time,’ said commissioner Randy Ambrosie

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler pushes away Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Cariel Brooks during the second half of the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, November 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
Calgary Stampeders’ Jerome Messam leaps over a tackle during second half CFL western semifinal football action in Calgary, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CFL football will be played this summer in Canada

Governors vote unanimously in favour to start the ‘21 campaign on Aug. 5

Calgary Stampeders’ Jerome Messam leaps over a tackle during second half CFL western semifinal football action in Calgary, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Odell Willis of the then-Edmonton Eskimos hoists the Grey Cup during a fan rally for the Grey Cup champions, in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday December 1, 2015. The club has changed it’s name to the Elks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.

Edmonton CFL franchise changes its team name to Elks

Team livestreams announcement after previously deciding to no longer be the ‘Eskimos’

Odell Willis of the then-Edmonton Eskimos hoists the Grey Cup during a fan rally for the Grey Cup champions, in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday December 1, 2015. The club has changed it’s name to the Elks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
Bernie Pascall visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

Podcast: Hall of Fame broadcaster Bernie Pascall shares some unique CFL tales

Podcast: Legend looks back on career covering football in Canada

Bernie Pascall visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

NFL Draft: Jags take QB Lawrence with No. 1 overall selection

Quarterbacks taken with top three picks

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)