The British Columbia Lions, established in 1954, are a major professional sports team in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The team is based in Vancouver, and they play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver.
From 1954-1982, they made their home at Empire Stadium. Since their inception in 1954, the Lions have captured 5 Grey Cup Championships, their most recent triumph occurring in the 2006 season.
A fan contest, back in 1953, was held by all of the local media to pick the nickname for the new football franchise. The name “Lions” was based on a twin mountain peak that can be seen toward the north of Vancouver, British Columbia. The twin mountain peaks name was based on the legend that the mountains looked exactly like two lions and that they were guarding the city.
After the winning name was picked, it was revealed that the Vancouver label wouldn’t be part of the team name. Even though the franchise is based in Vancouver and the “Lions” name was based on a local landmark, it was decided that the team name should represent and embrace the entire province of British Columbia.
In 2003, a new era began for the Lions, when Wally Buono replaced Adam Rita as Head Coach and General Manager. The Lions also brought in quarterback Dave Dickenson as a free agent, which prompted current Quarterback Damon Allen to leave for the Toronto Argonauts. Dickenson was the Quarterback of the Buono coached Stampeders that enjoyed all of those years of success prior and Buono felt Dickenson would be a crucial piece of the bringing the Lions to the elite level.
A year later, the 2004 season marked one of the team’s best regular seasons in club history, in which they set a team record of 8 consecutive wins, but Dickenson was out for most of the season due to injury, and it was Casey Printers taking over the QB role.
The Lions reached the Grey Cup where they would face the Toronto Argonauts in a matchup with their former Quarterback Damon Allen. Despite Printers leading the team through most of the season, in a controversial move, Buono started Dave Dickenson. The Lions ended up losing 27-19.
The Lions would enjoy championship success in the 2006 season, but this time they were being led by Buck Pierce for a good part of the season, as Casey Printers was off to the NFL. Pierce won the back up role to start the season but an early season injury to Dickenson forced him into action, and he definitely delivered. Dickenson would get the start over Pierce in the Grey Cup, but unlike his prior appearance, he responded by delivering an MVP performance. It was yet another record setting season for the Lions but this time they were able to cap it off with a championship, their first since 2000.
The 2008 Grey Cup game will be played in Montreal on November 23.
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