One of an exclusive (and very small) core of BC Lions play-by-play artists across 60 plus years of team history, J. Paul McConnell began calling CFL action in the early 1970s. Born in Ladner, B.C., he was the radio voice of the club from 1984 to 2003, two decades of excellence with an unmistakable style recognized instantly by Lions’ fans. Teamed up with Tom Larscheid for many years, J.Paul called over 300 Lions games working for CKWX and CKNW broadcasts where he also served as Sports Director.
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame honoured him in 1996 by inducting him to the Football Reporters of Canada section the year before fellow play-by-play man and predecessor Jim Cox joined that elite group. They remain the only two Lions’ broadcasters to achieve that level of recognition. JP retired in 2006 with his wife Alix moving to Southern France.
