Offensive lineman who’s so good in the community is taking advantage of this latest stint of playing time<\/p>\n
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Published Aug 21, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Andrew Peirson is an easy guy to root for.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Peirson is expected to make his sixth-straight start at centre for the B.C. Lions when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday (12 p.m.) at BMO Field. It will be the 28th career start with the club and the 79th game of Peirson\u2019s seven-year CFL run with the Lions.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He has been the ever-understanding understudy since joining the Lions as a undrafted free agent out of NCAA Div. II Gannon University in Erie, Penn., waiting his turn and trying to take advantage of those playing time opportunities when they have arisen.<\/p>\n Peirson made five starts at centre as a rookie in 2018, and he has gotten cracks at starting at both right and left guard since, including 13 starts at left guard in 2023.<\/p>\n Through it all, the product of Kingston, Ont., has been an ardent spokesperson for the Lions with the general public, both during the campaign and in the off-season. He won the team\u2019s Jamie Taras Award for community involvement in four of the past five seasons. He is bound to be in the mix again for this time around, considering that in June it was Peirson receiving a King Charles III Coronation Award for his efforts at raising awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n B.C. has hounded by injuries to the offensive line this year, with starters like centre Michael Couture (hand) and tackle Dejon Allen (triceps) among those on the sidelines currently.<\/p>\n Going into this week, the Lions have given up a league-low 10 sacks, and they are first in the CFL in average gain per carry (5.8 yards). That\u2019s a statement about the efforts of quarterback Nathan Rourke and running back James Butler, but it\u2019s also a statement about the play of the offensive line and guys like Peirson.<\/p>\n The Lions (5-5) are aiming for a third straight win when they face the Argonauts (2-8).<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to lie and say that it\u2019s not hard to always the stay the course,\u201d Peirson, 30, explained about his time in a back-up role. \u201cBut it\u2019s also about believing in yourself and having that support from my family and my fiancee (Caleigh McGhee), who all believe in me.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cPersonally, I have a goal: I want to win a Grey Cup and I want to do it with this group. I love this organization. They keep bringing me back. Believing in myself, working hard and putting myself in a position to be successful around a great group of guys \u2014 you can\u2019t ask for anything better.\u201d<\/p>\n Allen, 31, who was a key trade pick-up from the Argonauts in the off-season, has missed the past seven games. Couture, 31, who was one of B.C.\u2019s top free agent additions ahead of the 2023 season after a six-year turn with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, has been out the past five games.<\/p>\n B.C. has a bye next week, and head coach Buck Pierce isn\u2019t ruling out the idea that the Lions will have more healthy offensive linemen to pick from when they visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sept. 5.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s difficult to guess what all that could mean for Peirson, although betting against him being a factor on the field big picture has proven a fool\u2019s errand.<\/p>\n \u201cDid I think about how much I was going to play this season? It\u2019s interesting the wording of that,\u201d Peirson said when asked about his preparation for this year. \u201cI didn\u2019t know how much I was going to play, but was I preparing every single day to play? Yes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen is going to happen. I\u2019m going to do everything mentally and physically to make sure that when my opportunity comes it\u2019s not going to be taken away. I think that\u2019s what it comes down to.\u201d<\/p>\n Pierce praises Peirson for \u201chow he goes about his business and his willingness to help wherever need.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe loves the process of football,\u201d Pierce added. \u201cHe loves learning. I think he\u2019s going to be a great coach if he wants to go that route.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just the type of guy you want on your offensive line. And how he interacts with every position group is great to see.\u201d<\/p>\n Peirson popped the marriage question to McGhee three weeks ago, during a trip to Tofino while the Lions were on their bye week. She\u2019s a neonatal intensive care nurse in Toronto. Peirson talks about how they have found ways to make their relationship work while they both chase after their career goals.<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t we mention earlier that this was an easy story to cheer for?<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes everything so much easier when I have someone in my corner that says, \u2018Let\u2019s go get it,\u2019\u201d Peirson explained. \u201cI need to give her all the flowers. She\u2019s right over my shoulder the whole time saying, \u2018You got it, you got it,\u2019 and maybe the odd, \u2018I can\u2019t believe you aren\u2019t playing more.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely all boils down to having my partner in crime.\u201d<\/p>\n @SteveEwen<\/p>\n SEwen@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Lions 36, Alouettes 18: Nathan Rourke throws for 382 yards and four touchdowns<\/p>\n![\"peirson\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0822-lions-peirson-1.jpg\")
B.C. Lions offensive lineman Andrew Peirson.Article content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Andrew Peirson at B.C. Lions training camp at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops on May 11, 2025. Photo by Brian Johnson \/B.C. Lions<\/p>\n![\"BC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1111-ki-kennedy02.ki_280516758.jpg\")
B.C. Lions offensive lineman Andrew Peirson (centre) with his parents, Steve and Daniela. Photo by Handout<\/p>\n![\"B.C.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cp174875756_298166237.jpg\")
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