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The Province
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
B.C. Lions vs. Edmonton Elks Live Blog: Snoop Dogg gets the party started
Match-up between the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Elks features two Canadian quarterbacks squaring off in Nathan Rourke and Tre Ford Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox Rapper Snoop Dogg takes to the stage ahead of the B.C. Lions game tonight Photo by Henning Kaiser / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS It's our Snoop Dogg Live Blog. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors We'll be providing updates on the rapper's pre-game concert ahead of the B.C. Lions opener against the Edmonton Elks tonight at B.C. Place. We'll be doing the same with the game, of course. How much we will keep up with the rhyming is to be determined. Mr. Dogg is slated to take to the stage at 5:45 p.m. The Lions and Elks are set to going at 7 p.m. This is the fourth straight year that Lions owner Amar Doman has brought in a marquee musical artist for the opener. OneRepublic, LL Cool J and 50 Cent have performed in the past years. The match-up between B.C. and Edmonton features a duel of Canadian quarterbacks, with Nathan Rourke (born in Victoria, raised in Oakville, Ont.) under centre for the home side and Tre Ford (Niagara Falls) at the controls for the Elks. This is the first time in league history that a Week 1 game has had two starting quarterbacks from Canada. It will be the 12th time since 1950 with a game featuring two Canadian starting quarterbacks. The game also features two rookie head coaches in B.C.'s Buck Pierce and Edmonton's Mark Kilam. The last time two first-year coaches squared off against one another was in 2019, when the Hamillton Tiger-Cats' Orlando Steinauer and Saskatchewan Roughriders' Craig Dickenson were on the opposites sides. The Lions will draw 50,000 fans for their home opener for the second straight year. The last team to do that was Montreal Alouettes in 1978 and 1979 at Olympic Stadium. Check back here for updates. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 4:54 p.m. CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston is in the house. 'What Amar is reliving to the fans of Vancouver is spectacular,' Johnston says. 'The investments he's making, the marketing he's putting behind it, the focus on youth and engaging them … I think what's he's done is spark something that had been simmering here for a long time.' We'll have more with Johnston in the coming days. Read More Vancouver Canucks Family & Child Vancouver Canucks News Local News
Global News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Elks open regular season against Lions in Vancouver on Saturday
The beginning of a season is filled with hope and optimism for all nine CFL clubs. The Edmonton Elks, who haven't seen the post-season since the 2019 season, are hoping they have the right pieces in place to get back to the playoffs. The Elks will begin their 2025 campaign on Saturday night when they play their opening game in Vancouver against the Lions at B.C. Place Stadium. The Elks, led by vice-president of football operations and general manager Ed Hervey, have a new head coach in Mark Kilam, along with a new coaching staff and a number of new players. 2:19 Edmonton Elks name Mark Kilam as football team's new head coach The Elks will dress 15 new starters from last season, eight on defence and six on offence. Kilam, who will make his CFL debut as a head coach on Saturday, is excited to begin the season. Story continues below advertisement 'First of all, it's not about me. It's about our football team,' Kilam said. 'I'm excited for the group that we brought out here to go and show what they are all about. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The game counts in the standings. Week 1 always has a little bit of mystery behind it, but we're excited to get going.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The game counts in the standings. Week 1 always has a little bit of mystery behind it, but we're excited to get going." Getting off to a better start is a focus for the Elks in 2025. In the last few seasons, the Elks have started 0-3, 0-9, and 0-7 before picking up their first win. Saturday night marks the first time two Canadian quarterbacks will oppose each other since 1968 when Tre Ford starts for the Elks with Nathan Rourke is under centre for the Lions. 2:42 Tre Ford speaks at news conference after re-signing with the Elks The only injury concern for the Elks is starting right tackle Brett Boyko who is listed as a game-time decision after tweaking his hamstring on Thursday. Story continues below advertisement Defensive tackle Jared Brinkman will play after suffering a lower-body injury early in training camp. The following are the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Elks: Offence Related News Edmonton Elks sign linebacker Nick Anderson to 1-year extension Quarterback: Tre Ford Running back: Justin Rankin (Fullback: Tanner Green) Offensive line: Martez Ivey, Mark Korte, David Beard, Gregor MacKellar, Brett Boyko (game-time decision) Receivers: Steven Dunbar, Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Arkell Smith, Kaion Julien-Grant, Zach Mathis Defence Defensive line: Brandon Barlow, Jared Brinkman, Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith Linebackers: Nick Anderson, Nyles Morgan, Kordell Jackson Defensive backs: Devodric Bynum, Manny Rugamba, Royce Metchie, Kobe Williams, Tyrell Ford You can hear Saturday's season-opener between the Elks and Lions on 880 CHED starting with Countdown to Kickoff with Courtney Theriault at 6:30 p.m. The opening kickoff from B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver will be at 8 p.m. with Morley Scott and Dave Campbell calling all of the live action. Hear analysis from former Edmonton Football Team offensive lineman and two-time Grey Cup champion Blake Dermott.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Elks look to future by embracing past, including former team name
B.C. Lions' Deontai Williams (33) chases Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) during first half CFL pre-season action in Edmonton, on Friday May 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — The winds of change blew through Commonwealth Stadium this winter, bringing in a new regime determined to return Edmonton's once-proud CFL franchise to its green-and-gold glory days. Part of that includes embracing the team's former name, 'Eskimos.' The club rebranded as the 'Elks' in 2021, following a broader movement among sports teams to move away from names considered racist or stereotypical, and amid pressure from sponsors who threatened to cut ties. The change proved divisive among Edmonton supporters. Regardless of which name Edmonton fans prefer, former players Chris Morris, now the team's president and CEO, and Ed Hervey, now general manager, have brought back the franchise motto: 'Once an Eskimo, Always an Eskimo.' A sign bearing the slogan has been restored above the entrance to the Elks' locker room. 'Eskimos or Elks, it is the 'Double E' and we want our fans and the community to understand we are committed to winning and being a part of the community,' Hervey said. And with that, both men are hoping the product on the field, headed by a new coaching staff led by Mark Kilam and an offence firmly in the hands of quarterback Tre Ford, will not only carry the team back into the playoffs but will lure missing fans into the stands. Despite the massive overhaul that began with the sale of the publicly owned franchise to Larry Thompson, Kilam doesn't see any problems with all the new personnel meshing into a winning product. 'It's not if you're vertically aligned, which we are, from ownership on down,' he said. 'When we have the same feelings about the way a professional football team should act, the way we think things should be run on a day-to-day basis, and the way we see things be played out on the field, it's pretty easy. 'There's a fresh, new vibe,' he continued. 'There's been a lot of roster turnover; there's been a lot of turnover on the admin side; obviously the coaching staff has been turned over. So we are the new era of the Double E and we're looking forward to setting that standard.' Doing that has to begin with a better start than the team has endured the last three years, when it began 0-5, 0-7 and 0-8 and suffered through a record 22-game home losing streak. 'It's huge, it means everything,' returning offensive lineman Jake Ceresna said of starting well. 'But even if we stub our toe early, just have faith in us and have our backs because we're going to turn this ship around.' The turnaround may have started last season when Ford got his chance at quarterback after the team started 0-7. The fourth-year Canadian sparked a dramatic turnaround that saw the Elks go 7-4 over their last 11 games. 'We want to just keep going from where we stopped last year,' said kick returner-running back Javon Leake. 'We've got the players, we've got the coaches, now we just have to go out and play.' The Elks are hoping Ford, 9-9 as a starter, will justify their faith in him, but traded for former Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo as a backup, just in case. Off-season roster changes have resulted in major revamping on both sides of the ball. Joining Ceresna on the defensive line are Robbie Smith and Jared Brinkman, members of Toronto's 2024 Grey Cup championship team. Behind them are linebackers Nyles Morgan and Nick Anderson along with a host of defensive backs led by Tyrell Ford and Royce Metchie. 'From the top down, this is probably one of the best defences, talent-wise, that I've been around,' said Ceresna. 'We look fast; we look terrifying.' But, he added, 'it's all talk right now. Now it's up to us as players to go out and prove it.' Offensively, Ford finds himself with a trio of top-notch receivers in Kurleigh Gittens, Jr., who led the team in receptions last year, newcomers Steven Dunbar Jr. and Kaion Julien-Grant and returnee Arkell Smith. 'He's explosive,' Kilam said of Smith. 'His body, he looks like he's had a great off-season, he's put some time in, he has some familiarity with Tre.' All-star centre Mark Korte returns and moves to left guard to make room for David Beard on an offensive line that allowed a league-low 29 sacks last season. The Elks led the CFL with 2,365 rushing yards in 2024 and are hoping the combination of Justin Rankin and Leake will offset the loss of Kevin Brown. With the number of major changes on and off the field, there was a high level of energy as the team prepared for its season opener June 7 in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions. 'This is a whole new squad, a whole new era, a whole new tradition,' said Leake. 'Everything is new. I'm excited to finally get out there and show the rest of the CFL.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025. John Korobanik, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Lions-Elks game features first CFL opening-week meeting of Canadian quarterbacks
It will be a historic CFL first Saturday night in Vancouver. The B.C. Lions will host the Edmonton Elks at BC Place in the season opener for both teams. This will mark the first opening week featuring two Canadian starting quarterbacks (B.C.'s Nathan Rourke, Edmonton's Tre Ford) since 1968 and the first time it's occurred in the same game. The 2025 season will kick off Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On Friday night, the Toronto Argonauts begin their Grey Cup defence in Montreal versus the Alouettes before the Calgary Stampeders entertain the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night. Also of note in Vancouver, B.C.'s Buck Pierce and Edmonton's Mark Kilam will make their CFL head-coaching debuts. Rourke, 27, of Victoria, rejoined the Lions last season following NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta. He was the league's top Canadian in 2022 with B.C. Ford, also 27, was Edmonton's '22 first-round pick out of Waterloo. The Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Niagara Falls, Ont., was 9-9 in 18 starts over the last three years before signing an extension with the CFL club this off-season. Ford and Kilam are looking to lead Edmonton to the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. Pierce joined the Lions following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and '21. Some other season-opening facts: — The overwhelming majority of players on CFL rosters are veterans. According to the league, just 67 of the 493 total players on teams are in their first year (13.6 per cent) compared to 93 at this time last year. — Players have an average of 41 games (2 1/2 seasons) of CFL experience and 22 starts. — The average age in the CFL is 28.2 years. Ottawa Redblacks versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Thursday night) At Regina, the Redblacks struggled mightily on the road last season, posting a 2-7-0 record. But they were 6-3-1 versus West Division rivals. Dru Brown begins his second full season as Ottawa's starter and will have veteran receiver Eugene Lewis available. Lewis finished last season with touchdown catches in Edmonton's final eight games, leaving him two short of Terry Evanshen's league record. Veteran Trevor Harris gets the start for Saskatchewan, which is looking to improve upon last year's 5-4 home record and 4-3 mark versus East rivals. Pick: Saskatchewan. --- Toronto Argonauts versus Montreal Alouettes (Friday night) At Montreal, Davis Alexander begins his first full season as the Alouettes' starting quarterback. He was an impressive 4-0 last year while incumbent Cody Fajardo — who's now in Edmonton — was injured. Veteran Nick Arbuckle, last year's Grey Cup MVP, starts for the new-look Argos, who begin their title defence without many of the faces that played prominent roles in last year's championship. Chad Kelly, the CFL's '23 outstanding player, continues to recover from the serious leg injury he sustained in last year's East Division final. Pick: Montreal. --- Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus Calgary Stampeders (Saturday night) At Calgary, Hamilton starter Bo Levi Mitchell chases his first regular-season win at McMahon Stadium, where he played so many years with the Stampeders. A victory would be Mitchell's 100th in the CFL and come in his 141st career start, making him the fastest player in league history to achieve the milestone. Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. makes his first debut with the Stampeders, who are looking to return to the CFL playoffs after missing out last year for the first time since '04. Pick: Hamilton. --- Edmonton Elks versus B.C. Lions (Saturday night) At Vancouver, no one was busier this off-season than Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey, who added the likes of defensive linemen Jake Ceresna and Robbie Smith, defensive backs Royce Metchie and Tyrell Ford and offensive lineman David Beard. Conventional thinking suggests it will take time for the Elks to mesh. Both starting quarterbacks are athletic and dual threats. This one could be close, so the edge should go to the home team, especially with veteran kicker Sean Whyte. Pick: B.C.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
B.C. Lions game features 1st opening-week meeting of Canadian quarterbacks
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) makes the throw against the Edmonton Elks during first half CFL pre-season action in Edmonton, on Friday May 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson It will be a historic CFL first Saturday night in Vancouver. The B.C. Lions will host the Edmonton Elks at B.C. Place in the season opener for both teams. This will mark the first opening week featuring two Canadian starting quarterbacks (B.C.'s Nathan Rourke, Edmonton's Tre Ford) since 1968 and the first time it's occurred in the same game. The 2025 season will kick off Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On Friday night, the Toronto Argonauts begin their Grey Cup defence in Montreal versus the Alouettes before the Calgary Stampeders entertain the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night. Also of note in Vancouver, B.C.'s Buck Pierce and Edmonton's Mark Kilam will make their CFL head-coaching debuts. Rourke, 27, of Victoria, rejoined the Lions last season following NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta. He was the league's top Canadian in 2022 with B.C. Ford, also 27, was Edmonton's '22 first-round pick out of Waterloo. The Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Niagara Falls, Ont., was 9-9 in 18 starts over the last three years before signing an extension with the CFL club this off-season. Ford and Kilam are looking to lead Edmonton to the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. Pierce joined the Lions following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and '21. Some other season-opening facts: — The overwhelming majority of players on CFL rosters are veterans. According to the league, just 67 of the 493 total players on teams are in their first year (13.6 per cent) compared to 93 at this time last year. — Players have an average of 41 games (2 1/2 seasons) of CFL experience and 22 starts. — The average age in the CFL is 28.2 years. Ottawa Redblacks versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Thursday night) At Regina, the Redblacks struggled mightily on the road last season, posting a 2-7-0 record. But they were 6-3-1 versus West Division rivals. Dru Brown begins his second full season as Ottawa's starter and will have veteran receiver Eugene Lewis available. Lewis finished last season with touchdown catches in Edmonton's final eight games, leaving him two short of Terry Evanshen's league record. Veteran Trevor Harris gets the start for Saskatchewan, which is looking to improve upon last year's 5-4 home record and 4-3 mark versus East rivals. Pick: Saskatchewan. --- Toronto Argonauts versus Montreal Alouettes (Friday night) At Montreal, Davis Alexander begins his first full season as the Alouettes' starting quarterback. He was an impressive 4-0 last year while incumbent Cody Fajardo — who's now in Edmonton — was injured. Veteran Nick Arbuckle, last year's Grey Cup MVP, starts for the new-look Argos, who begin their title defence without many of the faces that played prominent roles in last year's championship. Chad Kelly, the CFL's '23 outstanding player, continues to recover from the serious leg injury he sustained in last year's East Division final. Pick: Montreal. --- Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus Calgary Stampeders (Saturday night) At Calgary, Hamilton starter Bo Levi Mitchell chases his first regular-season win at McMahon Stadium, where he played so many years with the Stampeders. A victory would be Mitchell's 100th in the CFL and come in his 141st career start, making him the fastest player in league history to achieve the milestone. Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. makes his first debut with the Stampeders, who are looking to return to the CFL playoffs after missing out last year for the first time since '04. Pick: Hamilton. --- Edmonton Elks versus B.C. Lions (Saturday night) At Vancouver, no one was busier this off-season than Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey, who added the likes of defensive linemen Jake Ceresna and Robbie Smith, defensive backs Royce Metchie and Tyrell Ford and offensive lineman David Beard. Conventional thinking suggests it will take time for the Elks to mesh. Both starting quarterbacks are athletic and dual threats. This one could be close, so the edge should go to the home team, especially with veteran kicker Sean Whyte. Pick: B.C. This report by Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press, was first published June 4, 2025.
