B.C. Lions’ quarterback Michael Reilly has retired following eleven seasons in the CFL.
The 36-year-old suited up in 168 games over his illustrious career, including 69 with B.C. (2010-12) and 99 with Edmonton (2013-18). He has finished his career with 34,805 passing yards, 182 touchdowns, 105 interceptions, 3,566 rushing yards, and 56 rushing touchdowns. He won two Grey Cups: one with B.C. (2011) and one with Edmonton (2015).
“Michael will go down as one of the great players and people our football club and league has ever seen,” said Lions’ co-GM/director of football operations Neil McEvoy in a press release.
“From his arrival mid-way through the 2010 season to scrapping his way to make our squad in 2011 training camp with a quarterback room that included Travis Lulay and Jarious Jackson, his drive to compete and win is something all young professionals should aspire to.”
Reilly signed a four-year contract with the Lions as a free agent in February 2019 following a six-year stint with Edmonton. The native of Kennewick, Wash. threw for 7,180 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in two seasons as the club’s starter, though B.C. failed to make the postseason in either year.
Additional Michael Reilly career accolades:
- Reilly’s 34,805 career passing yards are good for 14th on the CFL’s all-time list; he surpassed Darian Durant in 2021.
- led the CFL in passing on four occasions: 2016-18 with Edmonton and his final season in B.C. in 2021.
- became only the third quarterback in CFL history to surpass the 5,000-yard mark in three consecutive seasons (2016-18). Doug Flutie and Anthony Calvillo are the other two to accomplish that feat.
- took home MVP honours in the 103rd Grey Cup in 2015 with 269 passing yards and two touchdown strikes in the 26-20 win over Ottawa.
- winner of 2017 Most Outstanding Player Award after career-highs in passing yards (5,830) and completions (30).
- CFL all-star in 2017 and West Division all-star in both 2016 and 2017.
- surpassed the 300-yard passing mark on 57 occasions in his career.
- two-time CFL Top Performer of the Month and three times selected as a Top Performer of the Week in his final season of 2021.
