B.C. Lions quarterback Mike Reilly (13) is chased down by Edmonton Eskimos during second half CFL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday June 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
Quarterback Mike Reilly is finding out that the artificial turf isn’t always greener on the other side of the mountains.
He also discovered last Friday in Edmonton that you can’t go home again.
The premier quarterback in the CFL was pounded unmercifully by his former teammates as his Lions lost 39-23. He was sacked at least seven times. Proving that hell hath no fury like football fans scorned, a thunderous chorus of boos rained down on him throughout. Eskimo fans should be ashamed of themselves.
Reilly is a warrior. He leaves everything on the field. He places his body at risk by doing everything he can to advance the football and score. In his first of six seasons wearing the green and gold, his team went 4-14, he was sacked over 50 times, yet still was second in the league in passing. He was fifth in rushing with 709 yards. To amend the old Timex commercial, he took a licking and kept on ticking.
Two years later he led the Eskimos to their first Grey Cup appearance and win since 2005, taking home the game MVP award in the process. He won the CFL Most Outstanding Player Award in 2017. He gave the fans in Edmonton everything. He owes them nothing.
Besides being the ultimate gridiron warrior, he is a tremendous person who gave unstintingly of his time to various charities and causes in our provincial capital. The rude welcome on his return was a disgraceful display by a bunch of spoiled ingrates. They were still booing him with 1:30 left in the game.
The Lions return to Edmonton Oct. 12. By then they might be a much better football team than they are now. The Eskimos might have levelled off. Come Thanksgiving weekend, the cleat might be on the other foot. The braying jackasses in the stands and on the field at Commonwealth Stadium may come to regret their revelling in the humiliation of their former hero.
The day after the Reilly debacle, another class act former Edmonton quarterback, Ricky Ray, was honoured in Toronto on the occasion of his retirement. He won two Grey Cups for Edmonton and a couple more in Double Blue. Six times an all-star, he surprisingly never won the MOP award. He finishes his career as the most accurate passer in league history with the lowest interception rate. He ranks fourth all-time in yards behind Anthony Calvillo, Damon Allen and Henry Burris. He played 10 years with the Eskimos, seven as an Argo. He missed most of the last three out of four seasons and wisely decided to call it a day earlier this year. I expect him to re-surface as the quarterback coach or offensive coordinator for his old comrade-in-arms Jason Maas in Edmonton.
Meanwhile, after honouring Ray, Hamilton Hatters Aaron Crawford and Connor McGough were part of the Ti-Cats’ record-setting road 64-14 win over the Argos.
The CFL pre-season used to be twice as long as now. There were four exhibition games. When the regular season began, the teams were ready. Now it takes a few games to round into shape.
The Ti-Cats with Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback are roaring at 2-0. Also undefeated, Ottawa shows superb coaching. I was impressed with the play of Redblacks QB Dominique Davis who was making only his third start in five years in Calgary, defeating the Grey Cup champions. He continued to play well against Saskatchewan last Thursday. A late bloomer, perhaps? He will turn 30 on July 17.
Behind centre for the Green and White was another backup quarterback Cody Fajardo. Although he and rookie Isaac Harper took over from the fallen Zach Collaros in their loss to Hamilton, the former Argo and Lion was making his first start since joining the league in 2016, against the Redblacks. He did a fine job. Two quarterbacks with only four starts between them in recent years lit up the scoreboard for 85 points, Ottawa winning 44-41.
Toronto plays in Regina Canada Day, the Stamps are home to the Lions on Saturday. If the Dickenson boys can’t come up with wins against those opponents, they wouldn’t be able to beat the Sweet Sisters of Charity.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 47 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.
