Lions bring Foley back into fold for rest of season
Defensive end was most outstanding Canadian with B.C. in 2009
“This game’s given me too much, this league’s given me and my family too much to end on bad terms,” said Foley, still sporting blue cleats. “To come out here and finish where I started is . . . it still feels surreal. I don’t think there were many people who ever thought I would be coming back to B.C. SURREY — The last time Ricky Foley agreed “I’ve been trying to come back here pretty on a return to the B.C. Lions, pen never quite much ever since I left.” made it to paper. The 6-foot-3, 243-pound York University
Coming off a breakout 2009 season with product said he spoke to a few teams after the club where he registered 12 sacks and getting cut by Toronto. He had serious talks was voted the CFL’s most outstanding with B.C. and the Ottawa Redblacks most Canadian, the defensive end looked recently, while another East club south of the border in hopes of a also reached out. big payday. Foley was hanging out with
When things didn’t end up working Roughriders fans last Saturday in out in the NFL, Foley indicated Vancouver, posing for pictures at he would rejoin the Lions — even a pre-game party before the Lions’ going on local radio to trumpet the 30-15 victory over Saskatchewan move in September 2010 — before a few blocks away. an abrupt change of heart saw him “That’s the CFL for you,” said bolt for the Toronto Argonauts. Foley, who could be on the field
Seven years later — a lifetime in this Sunday when the clubs play professional football, really — Foley has the rematch in Regina. come full circle. 60 quarterback sacks in 182 career
“I signed this time, so it’s official,” Foley games, B.C. (5-2) hopes Foley will help a said while choosing his words carefully this pass rush that’s failed to cause enough of a week after his first practice with the Lions, disruption in 2017. his new/old team. “I handled it better this The Lions have 13 sacks, tied for fourth in time, let’s put it that way.” the CFL heading into Week 8, but just 37 QB
The 35-year-old inked a contract through pressures, good for sixth. the end of the season with the B.C. “It’s no secret, a little pass rush on Sunday, bringing Foley back always helps,” said Foley, who also to the franchise that drafted him impacts the ratio when he’s on fourth overall in 2006 and helped the field. “You’ve got to have a shape him from a raw talent into four-man pass rush to get after one of the league’s premier pass the quarterback without sending rushers. a blitz because offences are too
The Courtice, Ont., native won good.” the Grey Cup as a rookie in 2006 B.C. head coach and general before adding titles with the manager Wally Buono said there Argonauts in 2012 and the Buono were no hard feelings with Foley, Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013. He was adding the two have spoken many times traded back to Toronto in 2015, but was cut since that awkward moment back in 2010. at the end of March. “We brought him in because of his experience,
Foley said on Twitter at the time he was because of his football skills,” Buono given his pink slip by text message, posting said. “We need a pass rusher.” on the social media site: “Released via text Foley will try to help the Lions reel in the message by the assistant GM smh (shaking Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders my head)...Way to keep it classy #Argos.” atop the powerful West Division.
The Argonauts later confirmed Foley’s “I got my start here,” Foley said. “To a story, but added they tried multiple times certain extent, I feel like I kind owe the to reach him by telephone. Lions something.”
In any event, the situation still clearly That debt will start to be repaid the bothers Foley, who didn’t want to leave the moment an opposing QB hits the turf at the CFL with a bitter taste in his mouth. hands of Foley. Possibly on Sunday.