Tag Archives: British Columbia Lions

Alexander, Ray

AW91 ralexanderCard: CFL All World 1991
Acquired:  2014,  Albany Acquisition

Talking about no respect. After making the roster of the Denver Broncos his rookie season, Alexander played in the CFL for the Calgary Stamps in 1985. In 1986 he had a pretty solid year, posting 1,590 yards, on 86 catches, to go along with 10 touchdowns. Feeling like he had a score to settle, Alexander returned to the NFL, where he was signed in 1988 by the Dallas Cowboys. He’d work his way into the starting lineup for the Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final season. He’d proudly lead the team in receiving making 54 receptions for 788 yards and 6 TDs. With a change in management in 1989, and Jimmy Johnson brought in, Alexander was short on time to impress management. After an injury sidelined him for most of the season, Ray quickly returned to the CFL and the British Columbia Lions in 1990.  He’d post 4 1,000+ yard seasons in 5 years for the team, and then sign with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1995. Although he was traded back to the Lions before the conclusion of the season, Ray did not see any time on the field, and retired shortly thereafter.

NFL  26/11       Rec  63       Yds 936        Avg 14.9       Td  7       Lg  50
CFL    Rec 511         Yds 8842         Avg  17.3       Td 40      Lg 59

Johnson, Lee

tntafl14 lee johnsonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

Coach Johnson is a veteran of many leagues as both a player and a coach. He’s spent time in the NFL, CFL, NFLE, and AFL. Among his highlights, Johnson coached the defensive line of the Berlin Thunder to two consecutive World Bowl Championships in both 2001 and 2002. He then coached the Denver Crush to the Arena Football Championship in 2004. After taking the reins of the Talons, he coached them to a 14-4 record and a division title, in 2012.

After the San Antonio Talons game against the Iowa Barnstormers I gave out my custom cards to many players on the field. It created such a stir that Coach Johnson came over and asked me where his was. After I joked with him a few seconds about sharing the same first name, he quickly extracted a promise from me to make a custom for him as well.

I arrived at the Talons game versus the Voodoo early as usual. After talking to the COO of the Talons and giving him a copy of the set, he went over to Lee to show him what I had done. Coach immediately came over and talked to me with a broad smile, signed the card and thanked me for the extras. He asked me what I wanted for the cards I made and gave to him, but as usual the most important thing for me is the autograph gracing the card for my own collection, and their enduring happiness and willingness to chase their dreams. You know, on that note, I have always subscribed to the ultimate belief that a true gift is one that is not expected, and for purposes of what I had given to each of these players I know it meant a lot to them.

 

Rodgers, Jordan

sage12 jrodgersCard: Leaf Rookies 2012, Sage Hit 2012.
Acquired: 2013, 2014 Box Breaker

The first thing you’re going to say is, “Wait a minute…” when you see the all too famous last name. Yes, Jordan is the younger brother of Green Pay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and much like Aaron, Jordan is trying to forge his own path in the face of a lot of adversity. Following a similar path as Aaron, Jordan split time at JuCo for 2 years before heading off to Vanderbilt. (In fact he’d go to the same JC (Butte) and shatter his brother’s passing records.) The SEC has always been a real difficult conference for the Commodores to excel in, but he was a winner for the team, and led Vandy to two surprising consecutive bowl appearances- the first in the history of the college. In his senior season he threw for a respectable 2,500+ yards and 15 touchdowns, putting together one of the best seasons since Jay Culter played there. As he quietly crept into the back of some sleeper experts’ draft boards, Rodgers pulled a groin muscle before the combine. Jordan was able to throw it at a pro day that Vanderbilt and Tennessee State hosted together.

leaf12 jrodgersHis good showing helped put him back on the map for many teams that attended.  After the 2012 draft Jordan was signed as a camp arm by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was out on the street by July.  Chicago next kicked the tires on Jordan, but did not sign him. In the end, the Buccaneers looking for a new scout quarterback signed Jordan in October, after releasing Josh Freeman from their active roster. With head coach Greg Schiano bounced by ownership after the 2013 season, a new coaching staff was put in place led by Lovie Smith and Jeff Tedford. Although Tedford was Aaron Rodgers offensive coordinator in college at Cal, in February of 2014, the Bucs cut Jordan.

He went North to the CFL and landed with the British Columbia Lions.  Placed on their practice roster, he decided to go ahead and retire in 2015.