You can bet Travis Lulay means it when he says he has more than a couple years of pro football left in him. Why would anyone count him out at this point? In the last four years he has repeatedly proved his doubters wrong by bouncing back from his various injuries and he gracefully transitioned into the number two QB spot behind Jonathon Jennings for all of 2016. Simply put: Travis is a football survivor. That being said, it is never to early to start making plans for after your playing career and the Montana State product may have found his niche in the world of media after returning from a second consecutive Grey Cup reporting assignment with Sportsnet’s Arash Madani.
“I’m definitely open to it and wouldn’t count it out as a possibility,” Lulay says about pursuing it as a full-time venture. “I do love the idea of being around the game and being able to share my knowledge and insight. It’s similar to coaching, only I am presenting my knowledge to a different audience.”
It’s a far cry from his first reaction to being approached by the network before last year’s Grey Cup in Winnipeg. Madani made the request through Lulay’s agent, Dan Vertlieb and being the competitor he is, Lulay didn’t even want to think about attending the big game as a media member, even with the Lions in the midst of one of their most disappointing seasons since the turn of the century.
Lulay and Madani started their Grey Cup routine in Winnipeg last year. Photo: sportsnet.ca
“I was very dismissive to be honest,” Lulay now laughs. “I told them I was planning on playing in the game, but they said they needed a shortlist of potential guys they could use. I then said ‘yeah, what the heck. It would be a chance to experience Grey Cup week.’ Other than playing in 2011, I had not experienced it yet as a spectator.”
When it comes to being on the player’s side of the camera, Lulay is one of the best “quotes” and has provided some of the best insight of any player here over the last six years. That would explain the seamless transition to the other side of the fence during the last two Grey Cups, although the quarterback admits it hasn’t come without having to make key adjustments.
“It’s a lot of waiting and preparation. And then the actual product is a small section of the job,” he says. “We’re shooting three and a half minutes and I am there in a suit and tie watching practices all day. It’s a lot of gathering information and my job is to try to provide a nugget that a player’s perspective can only bring. It was surreal because I was talking about Calgary after literally game planning for them three days earlier.”
Sometimes, those “nuggets” involve being critical, something not every player transitioning into the media world is comfortable with. After all, the playing fraternity is rather tight and there have no doubt been examples of guys not wanting to pursue the profession for these reasons. Lulay says a lot of it just comes with the territory.
“As a current player, I don’t feel I am in a position to criticize unless I was 100 percent sure of what happened. A lot of covering and breaking down games involves making quick decisions on what you think happened, but don’t know for sure. I don’t like criticizing unless I know for sure or if I speak to someone first. When we’re in our film room I can say to Jon Jennings ‘hey, that wasn’t a good read,’ because I know what the read was and how it should have played out. When I am watching Bo Levi Mitchell I can’t just say ‘Bo missed that guy,’ because I don’t know what he is being coached. Maybe he didn’t miss anything. So that part is different as a current player.”
Two days after getting some playing time against Calgary in the Western Final, Lulay was tasked with breaking down their Grey Cup matchup with Ottawa. Photo: Canadian Press
Perhaps the most controversial decision in last Sunday’s Grey Cup was the Stampeders trotting out backup QB Andrew Buckley for a passing play when they were down by three and facing a 2nd and goal from the REDBLACKS’ two-yard line in the final minute of regulation. It didn’t work and many of the armchair QB’s and pundits were livid, saying how could Calgary leave the league’s Most Outstanding Player (Mitchell) on the bench, or at least not hand it off to Jerome Messam? Those are very legitimate questions. But Lulay had an interesting “nugget” when asked to explain this one.
“That call was an example of not changing their game plan just on emotion,” Lulay says. “As a coach, Dave Dickenson needs to remove himself from the mindset of ‘the game is on the line, Jerome is extra motivated, I am going to give him the ball or it’s this situation and because Bo was just awarded MOP I have to keep him on the field.’ They have been running this short yardage group all season long and they have a package of plays they run successfully. Dave even said post game they had run the play four times in the last three years and it had been 100 percent successful until that moment of the game. They ran it earlier in the 4th quarter and Buckley walked in off the edge. So it’s easy to question a play that doesn’t work. I am sure Dave regrets the result but not necessarily the decision to make that call.”
The relationship between Lulay and Jonathon Jennings is a big reason both quarterbacks are in a position to attend next year’s Grey Cup as participants.
It is always interesting to hear the player’s perspective, something Lulay is designed to bring in his role as an analyst. Number 14’s next assignment will be handling colour commentary for the AAA BC High School Football AAA championship game between Notre Dame and Terry Fox this Saturday. He says being on hand for the Subway Bowl will bring back all kinds of memories.
“I am looking forward to it. I played in two high school state championships in Oregon so I know it’s a big moment for these kids. High school football is why I fell in love with the game and I have been a casual fan of BC High School Football since coming up here. To get plugged into a championship environment Saturday will be exciting.”
Enjoy it while you can. Lulay is planning on being back at next year’s Grey Cup as a player.
Subway Bowl Preview
As Lulay stated, Saturday marks the biggest day of the year for BC High School Football as the five championship games will be played at BC Place. Don’t forget: fans attending our annual Locker Room Sale can head right over and catch some football after finishing their shopping! Admission is $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors/students and kids aged 7 and under get in free! The schedule is as follows:
9:00 AM- Grade 8: Vancouver College Fighting Irish vs. Notre Dame Jugglers
Scouts take note: these two BC powerhouses will have their best grade 8’s and the senior class of 2021 on full display.
11:30 AM– AA JV: John Barsby Bulldogs vs. Nanaimo Islanders
Rivalry alert: these Vancouver Island schools sit only 2.2 Kilometres, roughly a five-minute drive, apart. It should make for a lively crowd and eventful two-way trip on BC Ferries.
2:00 PM– AAA JV- Mt. Douglas Rams vs. Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers
Geroy Simon will be playing the role of football Dad as his son Jaden plays both wide receiver and safety for the Panthers who captured the Grade 8 title in 2014.
“Tweedsmuir has a great sports program and they do a great job in putting kids in a position to succeed,” Geroy says. “This is their second provincial championship game in three years so they have a knack for winning. I am happy Jaden is on the right track in pursuing his goals and enjoying success in football.”
The Rams have been a force at the AAA level, winning four of the last five championships so look out for this nucleus of players at that level for the next couple of seasons.
4:30 PM- AA- Vernon Panthers vs. Seaquam Seahawks
Vernon represents the first school from the Interior to compete for a BC championship in over 20 years. The Seahawks are led by twin brothers Jalen and Tyson Philpot, sons of former Lions legend Cory “Quick Six” Philpot. The brothers play running back and wide receiver respectively, while also contributing well at defensive back.
7:00 PM– AAA- Terry Fox Ravens vs. Notre Dame Jugglers
Both schools are coming off thrilling semi-final victories. Terry Fox edged out South Delta 22-21, while Notre Dame held off a tough New Westminster Hyacks squad 20-14. The Ravens boast the BC High School Player of the Year in Jeremie Kankolongo, brother of Lions linebacker and special teams contributer Nehemie Kankolongo. Jugglers QB Steven Moreno was named Offensive Player of the Year. Each school has two players to the 2016 Subway Bowl Provincial All-Star Team.
Good luck to all players taking part in Saturday’s Subway Bowl action! The BC Lions are a proud supporter of the Subway Bowl and BC High School Football.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com