Established
1954
City
Vancouver
League History
1958 – Present / Canadian Football League
Team History
1954 - Present / BC Lions
Nickname
Lions - The BC Lions are among the most iconic Canadian Football League (CFL) teams. But did you know that their nickname has a fascinating origin story?
It all started in 1954 when then-owner Bill Hughes renamed his team from its original moniker—the Vancouver Panthers. He wanted something more symbolic and powerful to represent his football club. After much debate and consideration, he settled on “Lions, " which was meant to reflect British Columbia’s majestic coastal mountain range known as The Lions.
It wasn't just about representing geographical features; there was also an element of pride for local sports fans looking for a team they could call their own. By choosing this name, Hughes showed that he valued loyalty and unity among supporters, which still rings true today with passionate BC Lion fans!
In addition to being geographically significant, the name ‘Lions’ also carries strong cultural symbolism within Canada itself – particularly amongst Indigenous Canadians who view lions as symbols of strength and courage in battle or during difficult times. This further reinforces why this particular choice is so meaningful locally and nationally too!
For over 65 years since its inception in 1954 under Bill Hughes' ownership - The BC Lions have been proudly represented by their namesake throughout countless games played at home or away - giving sports fanatics everywhere another reason why they should root for them every season! So if you're looking for a CFL team whose history is steeped with meaning behind its name while having plenty of loyal support from locals around British Columbia - look no further than your beloved hometown heroes: The BC Lions!
Championship
Grey Cup 6
2011, 2006, 2000, 1994, 1985, 1964
Stadium
1983 - Present / BC Place
1954 - 1982 / Empire Stadium
Owner
1996 - Present / David Braley
1996 / Canadian Football League
1996 / Nelson Skalbania and Michael Jensen
1992 - 1996 / Bill Comrie
1992 / Canadian Football League
1989 - 1992 / Murray Pezim
1953 - 1989 / Community - Widely Held
1956 - 1960 / John Bassett, Charlie Burns and Eric Cradock
1873 - 1956 / Community - Widely Held
- 1953
- 1965
- 1985
- 1994
- 2000
- 2006
- 2011
-
Lions Team Formation
1On January 22, 1953, the first annual meeting of the club was held. In that meeting, Arthur E. Mercer was hired as the club’s first president. Later in the year, Mercer, Bill Morgan, Bill Ralston, and Whit Matthews went back to the WlFU meetings. This time, they sold the idea of a fifth Western team, and Vancouver was granted a ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1964
After achieving an 11–2–3 regular-season record in 1964, and defeating the Calgary Stampeders in a three-game series in the Western Conference finals, the Lions advanced to meet the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a Grey Cup rematch at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium. In the rematch, BC got their revenge as Kapp, Fleming, and Bill Munsey, who gave a two-touchdown, two-way starring effort, helped ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1985
The Lions’ 1985 season began with much promise. Mervyn Fernandez shattered several teams receiving records and second-year receiver Jim Sandusky broke the 1,000-yard mark. Rookie defensive tackle Mike Gray was the most visible of several rookies. With the depth and few injuries, the final season record of 13–3 was the best in team history, bringing the Lions their third consecutive ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1994
The 82nd Grey Cup was the 1994 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Baltimore Football Club and the BC Lions at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was the first championship in professional football history to feature a United States-vs-Canada matchup. The Lions won the game by a score of 26–23, on a last-second field-goal by ... -
Grey Cup Champs 2000
The 88th Grey Cup (Canadian Football League championship) was held in 2000 in Calgary. The BC Lions won the game 28–26 over the Montreal Alouettes. The Lions, who finished 8–10 with an overtime loss during the regular season, became the first team ever to finish with a regular-season record below .500 and win the Grey Cup. -
Grey Cup Champs 2006
The 94th Grey Cup game took place on November 19, 2006, at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba before 44,786 fans. Ticket prices ranged from $141 and $275. The game decided the championship of the 2006 Canadian Football League season. The BC Lions defeated the Montreal Alouettes, 25-14. -
Grey Cup Champs 2011
The 99th Grey Cup was a Canadian football game between the East Division champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the West Division champion BC Lions to decide the champion of the Canadian Football League in the 2011 season. The Lions defeated the Blue Bombers 34–23 and became the first team in CFL history to win the Grey Cup after starting the season with five straight losses. They also became the first team to win the championship ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Lions
The BC Lions, a Canadian Football League (CFL) team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, have provided exciting football to their fans since 1954. The Lions were initially founded as part of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU) but joined the CFL when it was formed in 1958. Since then, they have become one of Canada’s most successful and beloved teams, with seven Grey Cup championships.
The BC Lions organization has had many memorable moments that will live forever in CFL lore. One such moment came during the 1994 season when quarterback Damon Allen led them to an improbable victory over heavily favored Baltimore Stallions at the 94th Grey Cup game - making him MVP and earning him a place among other great players who helped define this franchise's success over time like Lui Passaglia or Wally Buono.
In addition to being well-known for winning big games throughout its history, the BC Lions are also known for having some of the most passionate fans around, whether it be cheering loudly at home games or traveling far away from Vancouver so that they can cheer on their team while wearing orange and black colors proudly. This passion makes watching a BC Lion game so unique; no matter how good or bad things may get, you always know that plenty of people out there support them through thick and thin - something remarkable about sports fandom today!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
5 / Lui Passaglia
15 / Willie "The Wisp" Fleming
22 / Joe Kapp
30 / Jim "Dirty Thirty" Young
38 / Byron "By" Bailey
52 / Al Wilson
60 / Jamie Taras
64 / Angus Ried
75 / Norm Fieldgate
81 / Geroy Simon
97 / Brent Johnson
*Blue is this team’s history