BCLions.com Staff
It only took four games but BC Lions returner phenom Chris Rainey has earned league-wide honours for his dazzling performances in September. The free-agent signing who made his Lions debut in Montreal on September 3rd has appeared in just four games this season but already tops both the punt return and kickoff return categories for average yards.
The Florida native has racked-up 325 yards on 20 punt returns including a 103-yard effort for a touchdown versus Calgary and added another 404 yards on 13 kickoff returns and remarkably, another 103-yard dash versus the Stamps for a major.
What makes Rainey’s return game against Calgary so impressive is that both returns were for 100+ yards and came on a kickoff and a punt. Only four player have returned a kickoff and punt for TDs in the same game with Rainey’s being the longest combined yardage. His 333 return yards that game set a new BC Lions record and the fourth largest in CFL history!
“He’s a baller,” said Andrew Harris of Rainey. “Not only does he have the speed, he’s breaking blocks, making people miss.” Since being picked up by the Lions during their bye week, Rainey has impressed fans with his speed and agility on kick returns, and he may just be the spark the Lions need in their return game.
Rainey and his teammates continue preparations for this Saturday’s game versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders presented by Purolator Tackle Hunger and featuring a performance by the University of Washington Huskies Marching Band. Fans are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation to help out both the Vancouver and Surrey Foodbanks.
