Maybe no one summed up the 2000 BC Lions season better than long-time offensive lineman Jamie Taras.
“If you come through the storm, you come out stronger,” Taras said.
Some might even call the Lions winning their fourth Grey Cup after overcoming midseason disarray the perfect storm. The 8-10 Lions became the first team in CFL history to win the Grey Cup after finishing the regular season with a sub-.500 record. It stands as one of the most unlikely turnaround seasons ever in Canadian football.
The Lions stumbled out of the gate with a 3-4 record when head coach Greg Mohns suddenly bolted for the fledgling XFL. Other coaching and player changes followed. New head coach Steve Buratto went from unemployed to Lions special consultant to receivers coach to head coach in 19 days. It was that kind of season.
Yet coming off a 13-win campaign and Western Final appearance in 1999, the Lions’ roster was littered with stars. Dynamic Damon Allen led the offence at quarterback. He had abundant options with the one-two punch of Robert Drummond and Sean Millington on the ground and game-breaking receivers Alfred ‘Action’ Jackson and Jimmy ‘The Jet’ Cunningham. On defence there was cornerback Eric Carter, linebackers Daved Benefield and Carl Kidd, and defensive end Herman Smith. Legendary Lui Passaglia was still kicking in his record 25th and final CFL season.
The Lions finished in third place in the West but entered the playoffs on a roll. In the Western Semi-Final, they outgunned Edmonton 34-32 on Allen’s four TD passes. Next up the Lions downed Calgary 37-23 in the Western Final at McMahon Stadium, the game turning on Carter’s interception touchdown return.
One week later the Lions moved across the hallway into Calgary’s McMahon locker room for the Grey Cup facing a powerful Montreal Alouettes squad featuring Anthony Calvillo and Mike Pringle. Allen scored two touchdowns, while Grey Cup MVP Drummond added one in the 28-26 Lions victory. Passaglia kicked two field goals including the game-winning points with just 1:25 left on the clock to end his remarkable career on top. Millington was named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian, while also receiving CFL All-Star honours alongside Passaglia and offensive tackle Chris Perez.
Team Members: Damon Allen, Bret Anderson, Simon Baffoe, Raphael Ball, Raphaol Ball, Daved Benefield, Bob Beveridge, Don Blair, David Braley (owner), Steve Buratto (head coach), Noah Cantor, Eric Carter, George Chayka (vice president), Damon Cogdell, Jason Crumb, Mike Crumb, Jimmy Cunningham, Steve Dias (assistant trainer), Robert Drummond, Eric England, Mike Fletcher, Keith Franklin, Sean Graham, Ken Hailey (defensive backs coach), Brian Hamilton (equipment assistant), Steve Hardin, Craig Hendrickson, Alfred Jackson, Michael Jordan, Ken ‘Kato’ Kasuya (equipment manager), Kani Kauahi (offensive line coach), Carl Kidd, Jason Kralt, Kit Lathrop (defensive line coach), Cameron Legault, Chuck Levy, Derrick ‘Bo’ Lewis, Kelly Lochbaum, Cory Mantyka, Maven (Mike) Maurer, Central McClellion, Bob McCormack (doctor), Corey McDiarmid (defensive assistant), Neil McEvoy (football operations assistant), Kevin Merth (doctor), Sean Millington, Denis Montana, Doug Nussmeier, Jimmy Oliver, Joe Paopao (offensive coordinator), Robert Park (assistant trainer), Lui Passaglia, Dan Payne, Chris Perez, Navin Prasad (doctor), Bill Reichelt (head trainer), Roger Reinson, Glen Ringdal (president), Adam Rita (general manager), Rafael Robinson, Don Shindle (assistant coach), Craig Smith (offensive assistant), Herman Smith, Kelly Snell, Nate Sparks, Rich Stubler (defensive coordinator), Jamie Taras, Louise (Thomas) Shellard (executive assistant), Marvin Thomas.
Written and researched by Jason Beck, Curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame.