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May 2, 2016

Ryan Phillips: The Twelve-Year Rookie

SEATTLE, WA- It’s hard to not feel the excitement and anticipation on a beautiful Sunday morning in Seattle. The Mariners have completed their best April in six years, flirting with top spot in the AL West and causing fans to prematurely dream about postseason baseball for the first time since 2001. The Seahawks, who all of a sudden have an annual “Super Bowl or bust” mindset following nearly four decades of ineptitude, are drawing rave reviews for another job well done at the NFL draft. For self-confessed Seattle sports junky Ryan Phillips, the optimism is purely geared towards his preparations for a 12th season with the BC Lions.

2012-phillips-august-22.png“You always set very high goals for yourself but I never thought I would be able to play 12 years of pro football,” Phillips said while observing the Lions free agent camp in his hometown. “I’ve had some ups and downs but it’s been a great journey.”

Phillips was first discovered at this same free agent camp in 2005, and the decision to sign the Eastern Washington University product played a big part in the organization’s return to prominence in the middle of the last decade.

“When I first came in we were winning 10-11 games a year and now we are trying to get back to that,” Phillips said. “We took a step back the last couple of years and some young guys experienced growing pains, but now they’re ready to turn a corner. It’s time for me to nurture guys like TJ Lee and Ronnie Yell. Those guys have to put us in the position to be successful.”

For a player who owns two Grey Cup rings, nine all-star selections and has the second most interceptions in club history, hearing him talk about wanting to get better as his career progresses is nothing but positive for the Lions, an organization looking to bounce back after its first losing season since 2010. The seven- win campaign began with Phillips injuring his hamstring in the season opening loss in Ottawa. His consecutive games-streak ended at 181, but he managed to appear in 14 games and shared the league interceptions lead with six.

“You’re only as great as your last dance, and I want mine to be right now. I want to put my best foot forward and go out there and get the outcome we’re looking for.”

Phillips credits current defensive coordinator Mark Washington as one of the guys who mentored and helped him get adjusted to the Canadian game when he first migrated north in 2005. Seeing Phillips emerge as one of the elder statesmen of the franchise since he and others have stopped playing makes Washington proud.

“We used to joke around that Ryan would play longer than Dante Marsh and Korey Banks,” Washington said. “He has always demonstrated hard work, intelligence and talent. When you have those three, you have a winner.”1A07C0CD-2D0C-4BF9-A8E0-067EC8985A48

A two-time Grey Cup champion himself at the time Phillips arrived, Washington immediately took notice when he first met the then-22 year old. “I could tell he was very fast, wasn’t afraid of anything. He was also willing to learn. It’s one thing to take young guys under your wing, but they also have to embrace their role in the relationship.”

A Seattle boy at heart, Phillips normally spent his off-season teaching at Dunlap Elementary School less than one mile from Rainier Beach High which was the site of Sunday’s free agent camp. This year, he elected to be a full-time stay at home dad to sons Ryan Jr., 9, and Braylen, 3. The safety admits fatherhood has given him a whole new perspective on football and life in general.

“As a rookie I was the youngest starter in the CFL,” Phillips recalls. “It was mainly about me just trying to make the team. At this stage, the importance is trying to sustain employment and put food on the table. It’s different than being on youryan_phillips_pick_six.jpgr own.”

Having two growing sons is yet another factor that motivates Phillips to play well, knowing the older they get, the more they will understand the ins and outs of the sport Dad plays so well.

“Ryan Jr. watches a lot of Lions highlights on Youtube and he just loves gaining knew information on sports in general. His favourite all-time Lions are Travis Lulay and Geroy Simon even though I buy the gifts and pay the bills,” Phillips said with a laugh. “All of our families know each other well and the fact this organization is so family oriented makes it much more enjoyable.”

With all of those factors in mind, 2016 promises to be yet another impressive chapter in Phillips’ illustrious career. Before training camp it is all about family time and getting caught up in the excitement surrounding his beloved baseball squad.

“It’s great to see the Mariners getting on a roll. It is starting to remind me of the Kingdome days with Griffey, A-Rod, Randy Johnson and Jay Buhner.”

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com