BC Lions running back Chris Rainey (2) celebrates his touchdown during the first half in CFL action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, October 1, 2016. (CFL PHOTO - Jimmy Jeong)
The BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that international kick returner and running back Chris Rainey has signed a contract extension through the 2018 season.
“Chris is an exciting and dynamic player who not only gives us instant field position on special teams, but also has the ability to score from just about anywhere on the field,” said GM and head coach Wally Buono. “I know our fans will have a lot to cheer about with Chris in the future.”
Leading the CFL with 2,945 combined yards in 2016, Chris recorded the league’s third-highest totals in both punt return yards (68 – 942) and kickoff return yards (58 – 1,359) to go along with 309 rushing yards and 252 more as a receiver. Both of his return totals in 2016 are the second-best season marks in Lions’ history.
“We’ve got a great team, a great city, a pretty stadium and it’s a dome so I don’t have to worry about weather,” said Rainey when asked about his excitement level. “I just love winning, I love championships. We’re looking forward to 2017.”
His two punt return touchdowns on the year both came against the Calgary Stampeders with a 72-yard effort in Week 1 and a 95-yard romp on July 29. As an offensive weapon, he struck for the Lions’ longest run of the year with a 56-yard sprint for a major in Winnipeg on October 8 and added dazzling 30-yard touchdown reception on October 1 versus Ottawa.
Consistent throughout the season, he recorded the longest reception of the game (37 yards) in the club’s dramatic 32-31 Western Semi-Final win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and notched a 13-yard touchdown in the Western Final. The lofty numbers earned him a team nomination as Outstanding Special Teams Player and the first CFL All-Star selection of his career.