BC Lions Wall Of Fame – 2000 Grey Cup Championship

Photo Credit BC Lions

Recognition isn’t something that you get involved in sports to achieve but rather we get involved for various reasons, several of which come to mind.

Players play at an early age as it’s what their Parents want them to as they first want them to have fun as well as compete, have fun, build relationships with individuals outside of the home or school.

If there is one thing that you have to give credit to the pro teams in the lower mainland it’s that they are and continue to be involved in Amateur Sport to help grow the future of their respective sport.

The Lions recently announced on their first 1^st and Now Podcast they are welcoming the 2000 Grey Cup Championship Team to the Wall of Fame which will be part of Legends Night September 13th when they host the Argonauts.

Lions’ Director of Community Partnerships and O-Lineman from the 2000 team Jamie Taras mentioned “It was a Cinderella story as we snuck into the playoffs and went all the way, capturing the coveted Grey Cup,”

He continues “It’s an honour to have the entire team join our Wall of Fame and forever be enshrined with the long list of franchise greats.”

The following is the press release from the BC Lions so enjoy the read:

Led by franchise passing leader Damon Allen, the two-headed backfield monster of Sean Millington and Robert Drummond plus a stout defence which included Division 

All-Stars Eric Carter and Herman Smith and charismatic game-breaker Carl Kidd, the 2000 Lions defied the odds by becoming the first team to sip from the Grey Cup after finishing below .500 in the regular season.

Before November came around, the squad endured some tough losses and a change at head coach as Steve Buratto took over from the departed Greg Mohns with the Lions sitting at 3-4 in mid-August. 

Under Buratto, the squad got hot at the right time, backing into the playoffs as the third-place team in the West.

After edging Edmonton 34-32 in the Western Semi-Final at Commonwealth Stadium, the road warriors went into Calgary and stunned the division-leading Stampeders 37-23 with Carter’s first-half interception return touchdown serving as a major catalyst. From there, the squad moved across the hall into Calgary’s dressing room for the 88^th Grey Cup against Montreal.

Two TD runs from Allen plus a 44-yard run to the end zone from Drummond provided the damage on offence while Lui Passaglia authored the perfect fairy-tale ending to a Hall of Fame career as his 29-yard field goal with 1:25 left proved to be the winning points as the Lions prevailed 28-26 to bring home the fourth Grey Cup in team history.

Added co-GM/director of football operations Neil McEvoy who served as a special teams assistant in 2000:

“That was a very special group of men who battled hard for each other and knew how to win. While the regular season standings may have indicated otherwise, this team proved what they were capable of when it mattered most.”

The 2000 Grey Cup champions’ induction serves as the backdrop to a special Legends Night where we honour our storied past and look ahead to an exciting future as the evening is dedicated to celebrating the BC Lions’ 70^th season.

BC Lions season ticket holders can enjoy some great perks in 2024 including priority access on seats for the 111^th Grey Cup on November 17, a 15-percent discount on BC Lions merchandise and invites to exclusive season ticket holder events throughout the year.

Grab your tickets early and don’t miss out on exciting BC Lions Football!!

Thanks to Matt Baker for the press release.