By Chad Klassen

Lions Phillips helping young players have long careers

Jun 9, 2016 | 1:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — Over the course of 12 years with the B.C. Lions, Ryan Phillips has seen the game, and his role, change. From a wide-eyed rookie in 2005, to now where he is, while still a great player, more of mentor to young cornerbacks finding their way. 

“I want to be an All-Star, I want to lead the league,” says Phillips, who was recruited by the Lions at a free-agent camp in Portland. “But I also want to help young guys get better. I want to help young guys evolve and modify their game, so they have the next 10 or 12 years.”

Phillips came to the Lions at 22 years old. He now is a father of two boys. While he typically teaches in the offseason at an elementary school outside Seattle, he elected to spend more time with his boys. 

“I had a great offseason. I had the chance to spend time with family, got to travel to Paris, the Bahamas, things like that, Disneyland, taking the kdis around,” he says. “My first priority has always been as a father.”

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But as the elder statesman, Phillips is happy to be back for his 12th season. He just hopes he can stay healthy, missing four games last season after suffering a hamstring injury in the season-opener against Ottawa. 

“The key to having a long career is honestly just staying healthy,” says the 33-year-old cornerback. “Also making sure your game adapts and evolves all the time.”

As his career has gone on, Phillips has also changed the way he eats. 

“I cut out all the rices, and things like that,” he says. “I just eat meats, vegetables and fruit, and I do it for like four or five weeks at a time. I do it a little bit closer to the grind time, starting the last week of February and continuing to May. It’s been working for me. It’s been helping my body. 

And while Phillips isn’t the young buck he once was, he still expect the best from himself. Heck, last season, despite only playing 14 games, he tied for the CFL lead with six interceptions. He’s second all-time in Lions’ history. He’s also a nine time All-Star. 

“You’ve got to hold yourself to a high standard. You set the standard and you’ve got to hold yourself to it, because the reality of it is, the man upstairs is always going to hold you to that same standard,” notes Phillips. 

“I want to make sure [defensive coordinator] Mark Washington knows that I can continue to make plays, that I can continue to play at a high level, that I can still shut down my side of the field. I expect that year in and year out, and when I’m unable to do that, then that’s my time to go.”