While some are still complaining about the recent home loss of the BC Lions (4-5) you couldn’t complain about their winning effort when they pulled out an OT win against the Ticats.
It might have taken OT but a win’s a win mind you it came off a 19 yard field goal from Sean Whyte who continues to be such an intricate part of the squad each and every game.
The win was BC’s first in three games that saw Rourke throw for 408 yards and two TD’s finishing with 24-of-40 passing, one interception rushing twice for 28 yards that saw the Lions manage 514 total offensive yards finishing four-of-five in the red zone.
Hamilton forced overtime on Marc Liegghio’s 29-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, ending a five-play, 44-yard march that began with 32 seconds remaining. It came after Rourke found Butler on a 16-yard TD pass at 14:22 to end a seven-play, 85-yard drive that began with 1:47 remaining.
Liegghio’s 43-yard field goal at 13:07 staked Hamilton to a 35-31 lead. It was set up by Julian Howsare’s interception and 32-yard return that put the Ticats at the Lions’ 38-yard line.
The game started with a celebration to Oklahoma Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26) was awarded the key to the City becoming only the second person in the city’s history receiving the honour.
Tiger-Cats jersey with his NBA No. 2, Gilgeous-Alexander entered, raising the championship trophy, shaking hands and hugging fans then taking the stage.
Who knew that former WWE wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who was given the key in 1998, who are the only two receiving this recognition.
He (Shai) won the regular season scoring title, named league MVP earning NBA Finals MVP honours leading them to the NBA championship becoming the first Canadian and only the fourth player in league history to win all three awards.
The others in the same season standing next to Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal – what impressive company!!
Hamilton’s Mayor Andrea Horwath mentioned “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, NBA champion. The first Canadian ever to lead the NBA in scoring and only one of four players in history to win all of those titles in the same season. Awesome.”
Once they got past the introduction which was well deserved it was on with the re-match
The Ti-cats to the shock of Lions fans forced OT with a 29-yard FG on the final play of regulation, ending a five-play, 44-yard march that started with only 32 seconds remaining after Rourke connected with Butler on a 16-yard TD pass at 14:22 ending a seven-play, 85-yard drive that started with 1:47 left in the contest.
Liegghio managed a 43-yard FG at 13:07 giving Hamilton a 35-31 lead all set up from a Julian Howsare’s interception and 32-yard return with the Ticats on the Lions’ 38-yard line.
Bo Levi Mitchell completed 23-of-33 passes for 305 yards along with three second-half TD’s while B.C. accumulated 252 yards from 29 plays
This is the Lions first annual Show ‘N’ Shine game with a Backyard Party at the Plaza of Nations, celebrating British Columbia’s car culture.
Tickets start at only $19 and include free entry to the PNE Fair with the first 5,000 fans through the gates receiving a free Lions die-cast toy car. Buy Tickets Now
He was recognized by Ravi Kahlon, BC’s MLA Minister for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation in September 11, 2017.
In December 2022 he was Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin.
Awarded Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award for tangible for significant assistant given for the better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
