Lui Passaglia - Canadian Football Legend. Keeping The Balance.

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CFL football legend Lui Passaglia spent his entire 25 year career with the BC Lions. As a Lion, Lui was named a CFL All-Star five times and a West Division All-Star ten times. As a place kicker, Lui is pro football's all-time leading scorer; he amassed 3,991 points in a record 408 games with the Leos from 1976-2000.

At the age of 47 in his final year Lui set a CFL record by converting 40 of 44 kicks. His career stats occupy over a page and a half of the CFL's 2001 yearbook.

A graduate of Notre Dame High School in East Vancouver, Lui was born on June 7, 1954, two months before the BC Lions played their first game. While attending Simon Fraser University he was named an NAIA District One All-Star twice and played quarterback and receiver to compliment his kicking duties. In 1976 the BC Lions made Lui the 5 th overall pick. In his first year he wore number 18, switching to his trademark number five the next season, keeping that number for the next 24 years. In Lui's final game his number was retired immediately after.

A graduate from SFU with a BA in geography and a teaching certificate from UBC, Lui spent eight years with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia working in public relations and marketing prior to taking his current job with the Lions.

The BC Lions community relations department is now in its second year under the capable direction of Lui Passaglia. Last year under Lui, the Punt, Pass and Kick program was re-instituted and drew in 1500 football players from 17 football districts around BC. The Read Write and Roar and Practice with the Pro's programs were also established and saw thousands of youngsters participate in football and reading-based activities throughout the Vancouver Lower Mainland.

The BC Lions community relations program, which helped raise over $75,000 for charitable organizations, put on 140 events last year (2004) with over 400 player and staff appearances.

Canadian Sports Hall of Fame