Fans young and old swarmed the B.C. Lions players like seagulls after a sandwich during an autograph and picture session Thursday afternoon at Starlight Stadium in Langford.
The Lions players and coaches, in turn, were effusive in their praise of spreading their game around the province.
“It’s good to see so many amazing fans out here at practice,” said Lions player Christian Covington, who played seven seasons in the NFL, and was named CFL defensive player of the week.
“It’s a blessing.”
The Lions will play the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday at 4 p.m. in a Canadian Football League game at Royal Athletic Park, which has been expanded to 14,000 seats for what has been dubbed Touchdown Pacific. The final touches were being put on the field Thursday ahead of the matchup.
Saturday’s game, which will be viewed by a national television audience, follows the Touchdown Atlantic model, which saw CFL games in the Maritimes the past few seasons.
This will be the first Lions game in the 70 years of franchise history to be played outside of B.C. Place, Empire Stadium or Empire Field.
Tickets for the Victoria game sold out in less than hour after going on sale. The overflow live crowd will be accommodated at a big-screen watch party at Central Park.
Touchdown Pacific began in earnest Thursday with musical and other entertainment at Ship Point, and the open B.C. Lions practice at Langford’s Starlight Stadium.
“It’s awesome,” said Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “This is going to be a very memorable few days for our players, including [Thursday] at practice. … It’s only going to get better Friday and then Saturday with the game.”
The game is about more than just the passes and tackles, said Lions president Duane Vienneau.
“It is a mini-Grey Cup with all the events we have planned around Greater Victoria,” Vienneau said. “We see it as more than a football game. We see it as a festival. Fans from every team in the league have bought tickets to Touchdown Pacific.”
The festivities at Ship Point run today from noon to 7 p.m., followed by an afterparty at Garrick’s Head Pub beginning at 7.
Entertainment is scheduled throughout the afternoon at Ship Point, with the Grey Cup is scheduled to be on site from 2 to 4 p.m. along with players on hand for autograph signings.
At 1 p.m., the Lions will be hosting a special edition of the Coach’s Playbook coaching clinic, a one-hour clinic for youth football coaches. Registration is required.
While the big show on Saturday is the game, the backyard watch event will also offer food, beverages and kids entertainment. The party starts at noon at Central Park, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.
