Athlete of the Week: Bill Reichelt, B.C. Lions trainer

Name: Bill Reichelt

Age: 66

​Position: BC Lions' Director of Medical Services

Claim to Fame: Although not an athlete in the traditional sense, athletic trainer Reichelt has nonetheless amassed some impressive statistics — 700 CFL games, 40 years with the Lions, five Grey Cups.

Plus, he's probably applied enough athletic tape to circle the globe. Twice.  

Last year Reichelt was inducted into the BC Lions Wall of Fame.

Story: Reichelt started his career in Edmonton and has to be considered a pioneer in the field of athletic training — helping countless players prevent and recover from injury. He joined the Lions in 1977 and has been a staple on the sidelines ever since.

Lions' digital media coordinator Matt Baker recently dubbed Reichelt the "Godfather of all CFL athletic trainers."

Outlasted Lui

At the Lions' 1997 training camp, the good humoured Reichelt allowed CBC cameras to follow him for a "day in the life" feature. Here's an except. (Turns out he did outlast Lui Passaglia. By a lot.)

Bill Reichelt 1997

8 years ago

Duration 2:22

CBC's 'Day in the Life with Bill Reichelt' from the BC Lions 1997 training camp

Reichelt will work his 701st game with the Lions on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Regina, as B.C. faces the Roughriders in the final game ever at historic Taylor Field, also known as Mosaic Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m. PT.