When you think about sports teams in BC, what is the first one that comes to mind? The most likely answer is probably the NHL team known as the Vancouver Canucks. But another sports team that I personally feel isn’t as mainstream or known is the football team known as the BC Lions.

Established in 1954, the BC Lions are the oldest professional sports organization in British Columbia. Being one of the nine teams in the CFL, the BC Lions represent British Columbia using their official colours of orange, black, and white. Their mascot known as Leo the Lion can be seen plastered all over their website and social media handles. Although one might think the name “Lions” were inspired by the big cat, it is actually derived from a pair of mountain peaks in Northern Vancouver.

 Vogel, Gundula. “Football in Maple Leaves.” 2013. JPG file. / Pixabay

As widely known as the football sport is, I’ve admittedly never really paid attention to the fascinating world of the Canadian Football League, also known as the CFL. This premier championship is the home of the Grey Cup, the highest honour a competing team in the CFL can win. The BC Lions have won the Grey Cup six times, the most recent one being in 2011, where they won in front of a home crowd at BC Place against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a 34-23 victory.

Although the BC Lions finished fifth place in the West Division of the CFL during the 2019 season, they are looking to bounce back with a new coach in Rick Campbell, who is the former coach of the Ottawa Redblacks. With the 2020 Grey Cup championship of the CFL being cancelled due to COVID-19, the 2021 season marks the 10th year since the BC Lions last won the prestigious cup. Taking place in Hamilton, Ontario this year, the Leos are more motivated than ever after their previous last-place finish to make an impression and bring it home.