'I feel young again': Running back James Butler hitting new highs with B.C. Lions
James Butler doesn't mind standing outside of the spotlight.
Article content
And on a B.C. Lions offence featuring the likes of quarterback Nathan Rourke and receivers Justin McInnis and Keon Hatcher, a running back might skirt attention.
Article content
Article content
Not Butler.
Article content
The 30-year-old American has been a star for B.C. this season. He leads the league in rushing yards with 474 and will look to add to the total Saturday when the Lions (3-3) host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-1).
Article content
Article content
Last week, Butler amassed a career-high 171 rushing yards, 35 receiving yards and a touchdown as B.C. downed the Edmonton Elks 32-14.
Article content
'I feel young again, wearing my college number (20),' the running back said. 'It's easy for me to just fly under the radar and just try to be the little spark I can be.'
Article content
Butler's success follows a difficult 2024 campaign where the University of Iowa product saw action in just 10 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, tallying 522 rushing yards and two TDs.
Article content
The numbers were well off the career-high 1,116 yards and seven majors he logged for the Ticats in 2023 and he was released by Hamilton in January.
Article content
Just hours later, Butler signed with the Lions, the team where he started his CFL career in 2021 before breaking out with a 1,060-yard showing in 2022.
Article content
The move reunited him with Rourke and the duo wasted little time in picking up where they left off.
Article content
'For us, there's so much trust,' said the Canadian QB, noting that Butler has found a way to up his game this season.
Article content
Article content
'I think he's been playing out of his mind. He's been playing better than I think he did in '22. … A lot of the times, I'm just watching. I've got the best seat in the house for watching him get to work.'
Article content
Article content
'I feel like when you've got No. 12 back there, he just gives you a chance. Nate just gives you a chance, and he just makes plays,' Butler said. 'We always knew he's going to be destined for a great thing.
Article content
'So just being there, being back with him is nice. Even when I was with Nate (back in 2021 and 22), I was a little bit younger. So I just feel younger. I feel young again. It's nice.'
Article content
Butler and Rourke will be in for a challenge Saturday when the Lions go up against the Riders.
Article content
Saskatchewan is coming off its first loss of the season after dropping a 24-10 decision to the Calgary Stampeders last week.
Article content
The Lions have already gone up against the Roughriders once this year, taking a 37-18 loss in Regina back on June 28.
Article content
Despite the final score, B.C. felt the game easily could have had a different result if they'd done a few things differently, Butler said.
Article content
'I don't remember the score, but I never felt like we were really out of it, except maybe towards the end of the game,' he said. 'So I just feel like if we take care of the ball, I just feel like it'll be a different game.'
Article content
The Riders will be without a star returner Mario Alford for the contest. The speedster left the game against Calgary in the first quarter due to an injury and did not practice with his teammates this week.
Article content
'That's Super Mario, man. That's a tough one to lose,' said Riders head coach Corey Mace. 'Certainly he's been playing out of his mind, I thought, to this point in the season. It just sucks. But ultimately, it sucks for him.'
Article content
Alford will be replaced in the lineup by Drae McRay, a first-year receiver out of Texas Tech.
Article content
The game will be an opportunity for a rookie who showed 'fearlessness' in pre-season play, Mace said.
Article content
'We all have confidence in Drae to be able to go out and execute and make plays,' the coach said. 'He showed to be really dangerous in the pre-season.'
Article content
Article content
When: Saturday, July 19 at 4 p.m.
Article content
Where: B.C. Place
Article content
WHYTE HOT: B.C.'s Sean Whyte has made all 12 of his field goals this season and, alongside Hamilton's Marc Liegghio, is one of just two kickers who haven't missed this season. Whyte has made 25 consecutive field goals going back to last year, marking the sixth streak of 25+ over his CFL career.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
CFL issues Amos a maximum fine for hit on Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown
TORONTO – The CFL issued a maximum fine against DaShaun Amos of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday for his hit last week on Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown. The exact amount of the fine wasn't disclosed. But according to the CFL's collective bargaining agreement, the most a player can be fined is half of his weekly game cheque. The CFL also levied fines against Winnipeg defensive lineman Willie Jefferson and Saskatchewan defensive back C.J. Reavis. Jefferson was disciplined for delivering a spear to Calgary receiver Tevin Jones while Reavis was penalized for a high hit to the head of B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke. While Amos will be a little lighter in the pocketbook, he'll be able to play Sunday night when Hamilton (4-2) visits the B.C. Lions (3-4). Brown left Ottawa's 30-15 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second quarter last Sunday after being hit by Amos. The Ticats defensive back came clean off the edge on a blitz and delivered a blow that knocked Brown's helmet off. Replays showed Amos struck the bottom of Brown's facemask with the crown of his helmet. Brown's helmet flew off, though his chinstrap wasn't fully secured. Brown left the game and didn't return. Amos received a Grade 2 25-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Amos had a hearing with the CFL on Tuesday. The six-foot-11, 190-pound Amos is in his first season with Hamilton. Before that, he spent three years with the Toronto Argonauts (2022-24), helping them win Grey Cup titles in 2022 and '24. The three-time Grey Cup champion began his CFL career with Calgary (2018-19, 2021). Amos and Brown exchanged messages on social media following the hit. 'First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to Dru,' Amos wrote on X. 'As someone who has lost significant playing time due to injury, that's the last thing I would intentionally do to someone. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'The talk about lack of technique, I'll take it, but the cheap shot, dirty player talk? Got the wrong guy.' Brown responded that he had no animosity toward Amos. 'The people that matter know you're not that type of player,' Brown responded. Ottawa is on a bye week and resumes its season Thursday night hosting the Calgary Stampeders. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.
CBC
33 minutes ago
- CBC
Streaming company blames 'human error' for minor hockey leagues, summer camps unknowingly leaving cameras on
Social Sharing The fallout continues after it was revealed that cameras at multiple facilities around Waterloo region in southern Ontario were livestreaming children's summer camps without permission. The operator of the cameras, LiveBarn, said it was the result of "human error" on the part of each venue or an affiliated minor hockey league in charge of managing the streaming schedules. "LiveBarn cameras operate on a motion-detect basis, meaning a rink operator must schedule or block off times when they are blacked out," the company said in a statement to CBC News on Friday, adding that on-ice video is typically archived for 30 days. The company said archived footage of the summer camps was not downloaded and shared. It said that when it found out about the issue, "the livestream was disabled immediately ... and there is currently no footage available." LiveBarn has cameras in over 1,900 venues across North America, streaming a number of sports, including hockey, basketball, swimming, soccer and lacrosse. People subscribe to be able to watch the livestreams. "The archived video-on-demand feature has been turned off for the recently installed cameras in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. These cameras will remain blacked out until the start of the hockey season," LiveBarn said in its statement. LiveBarn confirms unauthorized livestreaming A LiveBarn spokesperson confirmed livestreaming cameras filmed summer camp programs at: The Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex in Waterloo. Hespeler Arena and Dickson Arena in Cambridge. The Lions Arena and Grand River Arena in Kitchener. But the spokesperson said there were no issues with the livestreaming cameras at Cambridge Sports Park, another facility the City of Cambridge had identified early into its own investigation. Cambridge Sports Park is privately owned by Buckingham Sports Properties. The facility routinely hosts city-run summer camps. John Cook, vice-president of Buckingham Sports Properties, said the cameras were discovered to be livestreaming a summer camp on Monday. He said the cameras were turned off soon after that, at the city's request. The company said that for the other facilities in Kitchener and Waterloo, it was the responsibility of the minor leagues to properly manage the camera's streaming schedules. Privacy commissioner gathering info The Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner was first notified of the livestreaming issue by the City of Waterloo on Wednesday. The commissioner's office received another notification on Thursday from the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge. "We are in the early stages of gathering information to determine next steps and cannot share additional details at this time. We can follow up with you when there are further developments," said an emailed statement from the privacy commissioner's office to CBC. The commissioner said it's not necessary for those impacted to file a complaint, but they can if they want to. Cities respond to being blamed The City of Waterloo says according to its contract with LiveBarn, the livestreaming company is responsible for any information recorded through the camera. "While [the Waterloo Minor Hockey League] has access to the system to schedule the recordings for their games (and/or practices), LiveBarn is contractually responsible for the collection and use of any information recorded, displayed, streamed or televised," said the emailed statement. "The agreement states that LiveBarn has all responsibility for the cameras and associated equipment, including the operation and use, and signage." The city said it has signage at its facilities to inform visitors about the cameras. The signate "indicates that there are cameras installed and operated by LiveBarn for online broadcast and streaming of events for Alliance Hockey, and there is a contact for LiveBarn added to the sign for questions or concerns." The municipality said it is working with LiveBarn and the Waterloo Minor Hockey Association to "review processes and determine what changes are required." The City of Cambridge said it is waiting for recommendations from the privacy commissioner's report, and notified the office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario on Thursday. "We have paused LiveBarn services at this time ... we are looking into determining the timeline of the livestream," the city said in a statement. The city confirmed the cameras were set to motion-detection mode when the summer camps were unknowingly livestreamed, just as LiveBarn described. "All streaming cameras in city facilities have been turned off for the time being," the city said. Cameras have also been unplugged at the affected facilities in Kitchener and Waterloo. 'I know I would be freaked out' Evan Light is an associate professor at the the University of Toronto's facultly of information, and an expert in privacy and surveillance technology. Light said he was shocked and concerned when he heard about the livestreaming incidents. "Anything that occurred in that arena in the past three months has been livestreamed to anybody who has a subscription to the service. There's the summer camp and then there's whatever else might happen. There could be teenagers making out in the bleachers. They for sure don't know and have not consented to be on the livestream." Krystle Shore, an assistant professor in the University of Waterloo's department of sociology, said she wasn't surprised to hear about what happened in Waterloo region. "It's not altogether unexpected because of the nature of surveillance and how difficult it can be to control where the footage goes and put meaningful safeguards in place," she said. "It's absolutely concerning because there's a real lack of consent, and trust and information in this case." Shore also wasn't surprised with LiveBarn's response about who's responsible to ensure livestreaming isn't done without permission. "This highlights how tricky it can be to work with private vendors in municipal or public settings," she said. "Both parties have responsibility here. Municipalities are responsible for what happens in their public facilities, even when third-party vendors and and cameras are involved. But LiveBarn as a vendor also has a duty to ensure its cameras aren't operating outside their intended purpose." Light said parents should ask for more transparency. "I'm a parent too, right? I know I would be freaked out," he said. "Demand answers of your local politicians, of the camp operators and the venue operators responsible for it ... this is an example of why ... the privacy of kids needs to be taken seriously."
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Vancouver Whitecaps juggle lineup ahead of battle with Sporting Kansas City
VANCOUVER – Another major injury is forcing the Vancouver Whitecaps to once again rotate their lineup as the club tries to climb back atop the standings. The 'Caps (12-5-6) announced Tuesday that stalwart centre back Ranko Veselinovic will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. 'It's, of course, horrible for Ranko. I feel, we all feel, with him and for him, because getting an ACL rupture is very bad,' said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen. 'Ranko is doing OK. But of course, we have to figure out what to do without him, because he's been also a key part of the season so far.' The injury means Sorensen will field a different defensive corps when Vancouver hosts Sporting Kansas City (6-11-6) on Saturday. The 'Caps head into the game sitting second in Major League Soccer's Western Conference standings, just one point behind San Diego FC — a club they battled to a 1-1 draw last week. Lineup changes have become routine for Vancouver's first-year bench boss as the Whitecaps weather a string of long-term injuries. Attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld has been sidelined with a knee injury since March 8. Canadian defender Sam Adekugbe saw his season cut short when he tore his Achilles tendon playing for the national team last month, and midfielder Ali Ahmed has been sidelined since spraining his ankle while playing for Canada. Several of Vancouver's players have also missed league games while competing for their national squads. A deep player pool has helped fill the holes, Sorensen said. 'We have players who know what to do when they step on the pitch,' he said. 'And I think that's the most important thing, that we work with them in the daily work, and give them the best options to do well when they play on the pitch by having teammates around them in a good structure who can help out.' Four crucial pieces are expected to return to the 'Caps lineup for Saturday's game after representing the club at MLS all-star festivities in Austin this week. Striker Brian White, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, defender Tristan Blackmon and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka all returned to training with their teammates on Thursday. Getting back into the swing of team play can be a challenge, White said. 'I think it's a bit difficult. Obviously, you go from playing games a lot with guys you're familiar with to really not playing a whole lot, to come back, and then you find that rhythm again,' he said. 'I think it takes a little bit of time, but it's not like learning how to ride a bike again, you know? You try to pick up where you left off.' The Whitecaps sent a league-high four players to the all-star game, and the players had an impact, with White scoring to lift the MLS all stars to a win over their Liga MX compatriots. Takaoka also hit the crossbar in a skills competition to secure an MLS win. There's a high standard at an all-star event, Blackmon said, and the players all want to bring that mindset back to Vancouver — starting with a strong outing against SKC on Saturday. 'Obviously, you're playing with, arguably, the best in the league this year so far. So you try to come back and show that you have that quality,' he said. 'We had four guys there, that was incredible. But how can we all come back here and try to help as much as possible, keep that same level and increase it going into this final stretch?' SPORTING KANSAS CITY (6-11-6) AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (12-5-6) Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Saturday, B.C. Place HISTORY BOOKS: Sporting holds a 12-8-5 edge in all-time matchups between the two clubs, but the 'Caps won both meetings last season by a 2-1 margin. HOME SWEET HOME: The Whitecaps have played their last five league games on the road and will close out the regular-season campaign with seven of their next 11 matchups at B.C. Place. The team is 6-2-2 on home turf this year. FULL SLATE: Saturday will mark Vancouver's 35th game this year across all competitions, including league play, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Canadian Championship. The MLS regular-season campaign consists of 34 matchups. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.
