Bryan Burnham says heB次元官网网址檚 been fortunate to play eight years in the CFL, and even more so to spend his entire career with one team.

He is just not prepared to sacrifice family for football anymore.

Burnham announced Tuesday he was retiring after a stellar career as a receiver with the B.C Lions that saw earn four CFL all-star nods and crack the 1,000-yard mark in four consecutive seasons.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just crazy to think that you know this all started back in 2014 and just how much times have changed, how much the locker room has changed,B次元官网网址� Burnham said in a video conference from his home in Tulsa, Okla.

B次元官网网址淎nd the fact that IB次元官网网址檓 still here in 2022, that I was still sitting in that locker room, still going to work every day for the B.C. Lions. ItB次元官网网址檚 just such a privilege.B次元官网网址�

This just means so much more now 馃挃

B次元官网网址� BC LIONS (@BCLions)

But it was a privilege that came with a price, not only for him but his wife.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of hard work went into it, and a lot of sacrifice,B次元官网网址� Burnham said. B次元官网网址淎nd that sacrifice wasnB次元官网网址檛 just made by me, but it was made by my wife.

B次元官网网址淲e are at a point now where IB次元官网网址檓 not willing to make that sacrifice anymore.B次元官网网址�

Burnham, 32, said he came into the 2022 season thinking it would be his last. He said had the COVID-19 pandemic not wiped out the 2020 season, he might have called it quits a season before.

Playing the extra season turned out to be a boon for Burnham. While he was limited to nine games due to injuries, including a broken wrist sustained in a loss to Calgary on Sept. 25, he still managed 596 yards and four touchdowns on 41 receptions.

READ MORE:

He also got to end his career on a high, as the Lions posted a 12-6 record and advanced to the West Division final, where they were defeated 28-20 by Winnipeg.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud of what this team accomplished this year,B次元官网网址� Burnham said. B次元官网网址淲e were picked to be dead last in the league I think, and we ended up being eight points away from making it to the Grey Cup.B次元官网网址�

He also witnessed the rise of star quarterback Nathan Rourke. The Victoria native was impressive in his first year as a starter, throwing for 3,349 yards despite being limited to 10 games because of a foot injury. Rourke set a CFL record for the highest completion percentage in a single season at 78.7 per cent.

Burnham told Rourke after the West final loss to Winnipeg that B次元官网网址渉e gave this last season of my career meaning.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淐anB次元官网网址檛 wait to to tell the kids when weB次元官网网址檙e watching him on Sundays soon that IB次元官网网址檝e played with that guy,B次元官网网址� Burnham said of Rourke. B次元官网网址淪o yeah, man, Nathan is a great kid.B次元官网网址�

Burnham had 476 receptions and 7,212 receiving yards with the Lions. Both marks rank fourth in franchise history.

His 43 touchdown receptions are seventh all-time among Lions receivers.

Burnham was the LionsB次元官网网址� finalist for the leagueB次元官网网址檚 outstanding player award in 2019, when he set career highs with 1,492 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Burnham made his professional debut on Sept. 19, 2014, becoming a regular the following season.

He had a breakout year in 2016 with 1,392 yards B次元官网网址� his first of four straight campaigns reaching 1,000 yards B次元官网网址� and three touchdowns.

Burnham said he is working on a masterB次元官网网址檚 degree as he and his wife raise three foster kids back in Tulsa, something he says comes with its own set of challenges.

B次元官网网址淭he three-year old stuck something up her nose so I was fishing that out last night,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut I lay down at the end of the day and IB次元官网网址檓 happy. So yeah, man, itB次元官网网址檚 been great.B次元官网网址�

The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on