The
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
BC Lions finished in third place in the West Division with a 10–6 record.
Joe Paopao had an excellent season with 3777 yards passing and 28 passing touchdowns and running back
Larry Key
Larry Key (born July 12, 1956) is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) running back for the British Columbia Lions from 1978 through 1982. He was an All-Star in 1979 and 1981.
Key was the first Florida State Seminoles player to rush for 1,00 ...
had 19 touchdowns in a bounceback season after missing most of the 1980 season due to injury. Wideout Ty Gray had a breakout season with 1428 yards receiving.
The Lions beat Winnipeg in the West Semi-Final, but fell to the Eskimos 22–16 in the Western Final when Warren Moon hit Brian Kelly for a late 4th quarter touchdown. The Western Final included a game changing officiating error involving a Devon Ford kickoff return for a Lions touchdown when the officials incorrectly stated he stepped out-of-bounds. Television replays showed he clearly did not step out-of-bounds (video replay was instituted 25 years later in 2006).
Running back
Larry Key
Larry Key (born July 12, 1956) is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) running back for the British Columbia Lions from 1978 through 1982. He was an All-Star in 1979 and 1981.
Key was the first Florida State Seminoles player to rush for 1,00 ...
and centre
Al Wilson
Aldra Kauwa Wilson (born June 21, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and ...
made the CFL all-star team.
This season marked the first time in Lions history that every regular season (16 in all) and playoff game (2) was televised.
Offseason
CFL Draft
Preseason
Regular season
Season standings
Season schedule
Playoffs
West Semi-Final
West Final
Offensive leaders
Awards and records
1981 CFL All-Stars
*RB –
Larry Key
Larry Key (born July 12, 1956) is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) running back for the British Columbia Lions from 1978 through 1982. He was an All-Star in 1979 and 1981.
Key was the first Florida State Seminoles player to rush for 1,00 ...
, CFL All-Star
*C –
Al Wilson
Aldra Kauwa Wilson (born June 21, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and ...
, CFL All-Star
1981 CFL Western All-Stars
*RB –
Larry Key
Larry Key (born July 12, 1956) is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) running back for the British Columbia Lions from 1978 through 1982. He was an All-Star in 1979 and 1981.
Key was the first Florida State Seminoles player to rush for 1,00 ...
, CFL Western All-Star
*WR –
Tyrone Grey, CFL All-Star
*C –
Al Wilson
Aldra Kauwa Wilson (born June 21, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and ...
, CFL Western All-Star
References
BC Lions seasons
1981 Canadian Football League season by team
1981 in British Columbia
1981 in sports in British Columbia
{{Canadianfootball-stub