History
The
BC Lions entered the CFL in 1953 after three years of talks between the
league commisioners and a group from Vancouver, headed by Ken Stauffer
and Tiny Radar. The team began with the the arrival of Annis Stukus
from Toronto as the Public Relations Manager, General Manager, and Head
Coach of the franchise. The
Lions were named as a result of a fan contest put on by the local
media. The name came from a local landmark; a twin mountain peak
nicknamed The Lions, that can be seen toward the north of Vancouver.
Even though
the team was based out of Vancouver, it was Stukus' decision to have
the British Columbia label, to represent and embrace the enitre
province and add a wider fan base. In 1954, the Lions entered their
first CFL season with a home game at Empire Stadiumj against the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Fullback Byron Bailey scored the franchises
first ever touchdown in their 8-6 loss to Winnipeg. The Lions had their
first franchise win against the Calagry Stampeders on September 18,
1954. They ended their first CFL season with a 1-15-0 record.The Lions
were able to appear in their first playoff game in their 1959 season,
five years after being introduced into the CFL. They finished their
1963 season with a first place finish in the
West with a 12-4 record and played in the 51st Grey Cup game against
the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, led by quarterback Joe Kapp. The Lions lost in
their first Grey Cup appearance, but the season showed great
improvement from previuos ones. The following year the
Lions faced the Hamilton Tiger-Cats again in the Grey Cup in Toronto.
This time the Lions saw their first Grey Cup win with Joe Kapp, Ken
Appleby, Willie Fleming, and Bill Munsey helped their team defeat
the Ti-Cats. Over the years the
Lions would go on to win four more Grey Cups. Arguably their most
important win in
team history, the 82nd Grey Cup in 1994 was the first Grey Cup
with Canada taking on the States
the CFL had seen. The game ended with a last minute fieldgoal from Lui
Passaglia to give the Lions a 26-23 win over the Stallions. In
2000, after playing with the Lions for over two decades, Lui Passaglia
announced it would be his last season. The Lions went on to win the
88th Grey Cup as Passaglia played his last ever game.