BCLions.com Staff

When the BC Lions hoisted the historic Grey Cup trophy on Sunday, November 27th at BC Place in front of nearly 55,000 roaring fans (many of them clad in Black and Orange), the 99th Grey Cup champions had no way of knowing the tremendous following they had throughout British Columbia and beyond.

With the support of the BC Government Caucus, the Leos put their 'Pride of All BC' title to good use, embarking on a week-long Grey Cup tour throughout British Columbia to give fans living beyond Vancouver's borders an opportunity to hold the nearly century-old trophy and meet some of the club's most recognizable players including Travis Lulay, Geroy Simon, Paul McCallum, Angus Reid and J.R. LaRose. 

Seventeen communities, twenty-two stops and hundreds of photos and visits later, the tour wrapped up just blocks away from the club's Surrey practice facility having provided memories that will not be soon forgotten for many of the fans who shared in the celebratory experience.

As Jeremy Buckley put it, "it made my five year-old son's day getting to meet Geroy. The picture of him and I with the Grey Cup kicked off a good start to a great day ahead."

Throughout the week, Lions fans from across the province shared their memories of the tour on the club's Facebook page and Twitter feed. 

Below are just a few of the messages we received proving that without a doubt, Lions pride is alive and well throughout BC and beyond:

Denise McGeachy: Excited to see the Cup for the first time since 1985!

Geoff Edwards: Saw them in Victoria at the Fort and Foul Bay Safeway. A great experience. Got my picture taken with the cup and with Travis Lulay and Paul McCallum. And I even got pics of the cup and Lulay and McCallum on my phone too. GO LIONS! Let's get the cup back in 2012.

Kelli Avender: Saw them in Nanainmo @ 7:30am! Great way to start the day with the boys! Thanks for bringing it to town!

Sandi Stansfield Burton: Thank you Angus Reid, Geroy Simon and J.R. LaRose for signing my new Paul McCallum jersey in Kelowna tonight it was great. All I need is a signature from Paul to complete it. BC Lions are the best.

Robert Ferch: I have seen the Stanley Cup a few times, but this was my first time seeing/holding the Grey Cup! Love Angus and Geroy, but no MOP T LU....sniff, sniff!?!

Keith C Robinson: I wish you were coming to Ontario. No worries though - Proud to say 2011 Grey Cup Champs are the LIONS!

Merrilee Brenda Edwards: :D JR LaRose ♥ i met him have a pic of us on my profile xp (y) guys have a great visit today with the Lions :)

Galina Labun: I had the priviledge of helping out at the autograph table where BC Lions - Geroy Simon, J.R. LaRose and Angus Reid signed autographs for Vernon fans! Great to meet you all today in Vernon, BC - Geroy Simon, J.R. LaRose and Angus Reid!! You make BC Proud!

Rachael Holliday: I was there and it was great to see them!!!! Awesome guys!!!

Debra Drew: Thanks to Geroy Simon, JR LaRose and Angus Reid for signing autographs in Vernon today!

Walter Spencer Henderson: We also enjoyed them at PSO high school in 100 Mile this afternoon.

Stefanie Gunderson: Everyone should go!! it was a lot of fun!!!

Jeremy Buckley: Made my 5 year sons day getting to meet Geroy, the picture of him and I with the grey cup kicked off a good start to great day ahead.

Geoff Edwards: Saw them in Victoria. A great experience. Let's get the Grey Cup back in 2012, so we can do it again. GO LIONS!

Cindy Decario: I was at the Cloverdale Rec centre this morning. It was great to get my picture with the cup. What a GREAT bunch of guys, GO LIONS GO!!!!!!

Zack Ryan Andreas Butschler: I play football and I have met some of the lions a lot of times and its a cool experience every time.

@MsLilDvl: Thanks to @angusreid64 @PaulMcCallum4 @geroysimon & #JRLaRose 4 being the always gracious hosts! Thanks @BCLions Fam!! I got 2 hold the cup!

@achahil: Got my football signed by @angusreid64 , @geroysimon, paul mccallum and jr larose :)

@kenmcall: Me, my daughter and "Superman" @geroysimon. Thanks to the @BCLions for bringing the #GreyCup to South Surrey.

@laurenspiess: Thanks to @geroysimon for signing my jersey ! Had a great time.

@leerathje: The Grey Cup was in Comox today! My hubby had his photo taken with @BCLions @TravisLulay and Paul McCallum!

@sharisraven: Thank YOU @BCLions for sharing the #GREYCUP

@Judes_photo: The boys were so excited the could barely talk lol. Nice to see the #greycup up close n meet Travis and Paul.

@BCLionsDen: The Grey Cup has visited team/league spoonsors, schools, communities, fans, players all over. Great job by @BCLions getting it out there.