The B.C. Lions are honouring the late David Braley by inducting him to the club’s Wall of Fame during their game agains the Edmonton Elks on Friday.
“It will be a special night, there’s no doubt about that,” said Lions’ director of community partnerships Jamie Taras in a press release.
“Mr. B was always quick to give credit to those around him. But we know he is smiling from up above as he loved everything about the football club, including the list of great alumni he will be enshrined with on our Wall of Fame.
“Given everything we all had to endure to get back on the field in 2021, honouring Mr. Braley will be a fitting way to wrap up this season’s home schedule.”
Braley purchased the financially-strapped Leos prior to the 1997 season. During his induction speech at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012, Braley spoke of how proud he was going from 8,000 fans in the stands at his first game as owner to averaging 35,000 at the highest point of his tenure.
The longtime resident of Burlington, Ont. passed away in October 2020 at the age of 79. His estate sold the Lions to local business man Amar Doman in August 2021 with the new owner promising to put his money where his mouth is and reinvigorate the once-proud franchise.
The B.C. Lions established the Wall of Fame in 2003 and it is located inside Gate A at BC Place Stadium. Braley will be the 70th name added to the list, which already features legends such as Norm Fieldgate, Jim Young, Mervyn Fernandez, Damon Allen, Bob Ackles, Geroy Simon, and Brent Johnson.
