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 first-place divisional finish. The Lions avenged their prior year’s playoff defeat by handling Winnipeg 42–22, despite the fact that the Blue Bombers had won both regular-season meetings and wide receiver Fernandez was out with a leg injury. One week later, the same Lions line-up met Hamilton at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Twenty-one years of waiting ended with a 37–24 Grey Cup championship victory over the Tiger-Cats in the 73rd Grey Cup. Quarterback Roy Dewalt won the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Player award on offense, while defensive end James “Quick” Parker took home the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Player award on defense. Kicker Lui Passaglia was named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian. Don Matthews won his first CFL Coach of the Year award. Mervyn Fernandez became the first Lion to win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award and defensive tackle Mike Gray won both the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award and the Jackie Parker Trophy. Linebacker Tyrone Crews won the first of two consecutive CFL Players Association Outstanding Community Service Awards. The CFL champions returned to Vancouver for a victory celebration that swept across the entire province.