Lions QB Michael Reilly announces retirement following 11-year career
After leading the CFL in passing once again last season, Michael Reilly is hanging up his pads.
The B.C. Lions quarterback announced his retirement Monday after 11 seasons in the league.
"When you draw up quarterbacks, Michael Reilly is the kind of quarterback you want. He can do everything for you," said Neil McEvoy, B.C.'s co-general manager and director of football operations.
The 36-year-old from Kennewick, Wash., first joined the Lions in 2010 and played backup for three seasons, including 2011 when B.C. won the Grey Cup on home turf in Vancouver.
✨ 4 x CFL passing leader<br>✨ League MOP<br>✨ 2 Grey Cup Championships<br><br>After 11 seasons, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCLions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCLions</a> want to congratulate Michael Reilly on a brilliant career. Best of luck in retirement. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThankYouReilly?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThankYouReilly</a><br><br>MORE: <a href="https://t.co/AQqcX4FxO7">https://t.co/AQqcX4FxO7</a> <a href="https://t.co/XjKErRqKHL">pic.twitter.com/XjKErRqKHL</a>
Just as his contract was about to expire in 2013, the Lions dealt Reilly to Edmonton, where he became a dominant starter and played six seasons. He won a second championship title in 2015 and was named Grey Cup MVP.
Rick Campbell remembers the game well. At the time, he was coach of the Ottawa Redblacks, who Edmonton beat 26-20. Reilly finished 21-of-35 passing for 269 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Now Campbell is head coach and co-GM of the Lions, and had an opportunity to work with Reilly during the 2021 season.
"I had a lot of respect for him, seeing him from the other sideline," Campbell said. "He does all the things you hope a football
