1st and Now

Linebacker Jordan Williams joins Matt and Nik to talk about preparation for year two, scary memories of the Ontario Regional Combine as the COVID-19 Pandemic was just beginning and reflection on winning the CFL Most Outstanding Canadian award in 2021.

Back for another season! Matt Baker introduces new co-host Nik Kowalski who just arrived at the Lions content team from Winnipeg. The boys speak with head coach Rick Campbell on preparations for 2022, his favourite musical acts and MORE.

Your BC Lions are 1-2 and looking to get back into the win column this Saturday in Ottawa. For head coach Rick Campbell, it marks a return to the city he called home for six seasons and led the REDBLACKS to a Grey Cup championship in 2016.   Campbell also breaks down what was a busy and exciting week for the club, including the announcement of new team owner Amar Doman!

Matt is joined by Lions play-by-play voice Bob "The Moj Marjanovich who talks about the new broadcast deal with Corus, being reunited with Giulio Caravatta and some of the storylines he's excited for as training camp begins this weekend.

With a return to the field hopefully getting closer by the day, Matt catches up with Lions defensive backs Garry Peters and Kenny Ladler. The childhood friends talk about growing up in Atlanta, playing big games against big opponents in college and excitement to kick things off in Kamloops later this summer with an exciting group.

Defensive line coach Leroy Blugh stops in for a discussion on some of the talented players in his position group being brought to camp. It's a nice mixture of CFL and NFL experience. Blugh also talks about his relationship with head coach Rick Campbell and looks back on his Hall of Fame career as a player.

Lions co-GM Neil McEvoy stops by for a look ahead to the CFL Draft on May 4th! How excited is he for this year's class of Canadian content? That plus he and Matt kick around some stories about a few British Columbia broadcasting legends.

Matt checks in with Lions co-GM/head coach Rick Campbell for a preview of both the Global Draft on Thursday and Canadian Draft set for May 4th. How stoked is Campbell to land an impact Global player at first overall? He also looks ahead to planning for training camp in this uncertain world.

Matt is joined by Lions offensive lineman Sukh Chungh. The former Terry Fox Ravens star talks about preparation for his 6th CFL season, offseason hobbies that include re-building a classic car and the pride he takes in being a role model to younger Sikh children pursuing their sports dreams.

Coquitlam native Lemar Durant joins Matt for a bonus episode. The receiver talks about a hobby he picked up during the COVID shutdown, his excitement level for getting back on the field and his thoughts on the Lions team that's being constructed for a big return in 2021!

Matt is joined by former BC Lions defensive back and current TSN football analyst Davis Sanchez. The North Delta native looks back on some fond memories of his time in the den plus talks about his transition into broadcasting. In 2020, Sanchez realized just how much he loves being part of the CFL on TSN family.

Matt is joined by new Lions receiver Lucky Whitehead. The dynamic playmaker talks about what sold him on signing with the squad, some of the highlights of his time with the Dallas Cowboys and the scary incident which saw his dog Blitz get kidnapped and held for ransom.

Co-GM and head coach Rick Campbell joins the show to look ahead to free agency and discuss some of the great pieces the Lions have already brought in. Campbell also can't wait for the chance to see what Bryan Burnham can do in this 2021 offence, after the All-Star re-signed last week.

Matt Baker talks with Lions fullback David Mackie on his new contract, his new role as a member of the special teams leadership group and how he has kept himself busy during the pandemic growing his personal training business back east.

Rick Campbell and Neil McEvoy join episode 41 to talk about their appointment as Co-General Managers and how plans are moving forward on a return to contention in 2021. The two football lifers took vastly different paths to their current positions, but both share the common goal!

Director of Football Operations Neil McEvoy joins episode 40. A member of three Lions Grey Cup-winning squads, he talks about his championship memories. He's also a busy guy preparing for a return to the field in 2021. How does the altered draft format impact their scouting plans? McEvoy breaks it all down as he and head coach Rick Campbell continue to lead the brass.

Episode 39 is dedicated to our owner, Mr. David Braley. Matt is joined by Wally Buono and Lions Vice President George Chayka for a tribute to the giant of a man who died earlier this week. The men share some of their fondest memories of a true Canadian patriot, and also talk about some of the things many people may not have known about him. This one is for you, Mr. B!

Lions head coach Rick Campbell joins 1st and Now to talk about how he and the brass are preparing for 2021 after the departure of GM Ed Hervey. Campbell says his discussions with coaches and players are all the same: the CFL will be as exciting as ever once we are back on the field. He also breaks down how different prep for the Draft and free agency will be this offseason.

You knew he was an athletic receiver. But did you also know Shaq Johnson had another big talent? In episode 37, Johnson stops by to talk about his latest project as an aspiring rap artist. He got the inspiration to do music from his father Alvin, a former reggae performer. Shaq also looks back on breaking in with the Lions and scoring his first career touchdown in a victory in Hamilton in 2017.

Richie Leone and Mike Benson join the show to talk about their favourite memories of BC Lions Stadium Cribs and more! The special teams duo remain close friends and also views the time in British Columbia as a highlight of their career. Both players admit times are tough without football games to play in 2020.

Geroy Simon stops by on episode 35 to talk all things football! The CFL's all-time leader in receiving yards gives his thoughts on the Grey Cup Fan Base, talks about going into the Greater Johnstown High School Ring of Honour, his excitement for Chase Claypool and MORE!

Matt is joined by Lions offensive line coach Kelly Bates! The self-confessed Grey Cup romantic shares his favourite stories on the trophy, when he first saw it up close and of course breaks down the moment he broke it after winning in 2006! Bates also talks about the current times and how he can't wait to hit the field again with his offensive linemen.

BC Lions offensive lineman Andrew Peirson joins episode 33! Peirson talks about growing up in Kingston and his path to the Lions that included a stop at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Plus, Peirson has a great story about nearly not making it to his first Lions camp in Kamloops! Once he got there, he was able to learn from a few great mentors on the 0-Line.

Matt speaks with BC Lions receivers coach Jason Tucker. The three-time CFL All-Star talks about his path to Canada that included a stop with the Dallas Cowboys and a stint with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe. Tuck also can't wait to get to work with the Lions crop of receivers.

Matt is joined by TSN 1040 Lions analyst Giulio Caravatta in Episode 31! The guys look back on some of the key moments from the magical 2011 Grey Cup season, Giulio tells a great story about his first trip to Hamilton as a player in 1991 and they also talk about latest activities during the COVID-19 shutdown.