View source for Travis Lulay

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1983)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox CFL biography
| image             = Travis Lulay 2012.jpg
| caption           = Lulay in 2012
| number            =
| position1         = Quarterback
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1983|9|27}}
| birth_place       = [[Aumsville, Oregon]], U.S.
| death_date        = 
| death_place       = 
| height_ft         = 6
| height_in         = 2
| weight_lb         = 216
| high_school       = [[Regis High School (Oregon)|Stayton (OR) Regis]]
| college           = [[Montana State Bobcats football|Montana State]]
| playing_years1    = {{NFL Year|2006|2008}}
| playing_team1     = [[Seattle Seahawks]]*
| playing_years2    = 2007
| playing_team2     = [[Berlin Thunder]]
| playing_years3    = {{NFL Year|2008}}
| playing_team3     = [[New Orleans Saints]]*
| playing_years4    = {{NFL Year|2008}}
| playing_team4     = Seattle Seahawks*
| playing_years5    = {{CFL Year|2009}}–{{CFL Year|2018}}
| playing_team5     = [[BC Lions]]
| career_footnotes = <nowiki/>*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
| career_highlights = 
* [[Grey Cup]] champion ([[99th Grey Cup|2011]])
* [[Grey Cup Most Valuable Player]] ([[99th Grey Cup|2011]])
* [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award|CFL's Most Outstanding Player]] ({{CFL Year|2011}})
* [[Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy]] (2011)
| CFLAllStar        = {{CFL Year|2011}}
| CFLWestAllStar    = {{CFL Year|2011}}, {{CFL Year|2012}}
| NFL               = LUL059326
| CFL               = travis-lulay/114942
}}
'''Travis Lulay''' (born September 27, 1983) is an American former professional [[Canadian football|football]] [[quarterback]] who played for the [[BC Lions]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) from 2009 to 2018. In his first season as a full-time starter, Lulay won the [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award]] in [[2011 CFL season|2011]] and was named the [[Grey Cup Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player]] of the [[99th Grey Cup|2011 Grey Cup]]. He played [[college football]] at [[Montana State Bobcats football|Montana State]]. Prior to joining the Lions Lulay was a member of the [[Seattle Seahawks]], [[Berlin Thunder]] and [[New Orleans Saints]].

==College career==
Lulay led Montana State in rushing his senior year with 611 yards. He left with school records for career passing yards (10,746-11th in [[NCAA]] Division I-AA history), single-season total offense, and total offense in a career, and in his four years led the Bobcats to three victories over their state rivals, the University of Montana Grizzlies. In 2005, while playing at [[Montana State University – Bozeman]] he completed 223 passes in 388 attempts for 2,629 [[yards]]. His passing percentage was 57.5%. He threw for 17 passing TD's and 10 INT's. His [[quarterback rating]] was 123.7. He graduated with a [[GPA]] of 3.91.

===Statistics===
{| border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=0 style="text-align:right; text-indent:1em;"
|- style="background-color: #9999dd;"
! rowspan=2 | Year !! colspan=5 | Passing !!
|- style="background-color: #9999dd;"
! Att !! Comp !! Yds !! TD !! Int !!
|- style="background-color: #ffffff;"
| 2002 || 272 || 157 || 2,042 || 14 ||  5 ||
|- style="background-color: #ffffff"
| 2003 || 406 || 238 || 2,568 || 12 || 11 ||
|- style="background-color: #ffffff;"
| 2004 || 490 || 269 || 3,485 || 15 ||  9 ||
|- style="background-color: #ffffff;"
| 2005 || 338 || 223 || 2,629 || 17 || 10 ||
|- style="background-color: #ffffff;"
|- valign=top style="font-weight:bold; background-color: #9999dd;"
| Total<br />  || 1,506<br />   || 887<br />   || 10,724<br />    || 58<br />    || 35 ||
|}

==Professional career==
At the [[NFL Combine]] in 2006, Lulay came in first in the short shuttle drill and ranked among the top three quarterbacks in the three cone, broad jump and vertical jump.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9269912 |title=Archived copy |website=[[NFL.com]] |access-date=2007-04-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501153332/http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9269912 |archive-date=2007-05-01 }}</ref>

===Seattle Seahawks (first stint)===
After going undrafted, Lulay signed with the [[Seattle Seahawks]] on May 1, 2006, but was released during final cuts in September.  He was re-signed by the Seahawks on January 4, 2007, and was assigned to the [[Berlin Thunder]] of [[NFL Europa]].  He was waived on April 8, 2008.

===New Orleans Saints===
On May 14, 2008, Lulay signed with the [[New Orleans Saints]]. He was waived on July 18.

===Seattle Seahawks (second stint)===
On October 10, 2008, the [[Seattle Seahawks]] re-signed Lulay to their practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-4-94/Seattle-brings-back-popular-Forsett.html |title=ESPN - Seattle brings back popular Forsett - NFC West |access-date=2008-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011001937/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-4-94/Seattle-brings-back-popular-Forsett.html |archive-date=2008-10-11 }}</ref> He was released again on December 3, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2008466111_webhawk03.html|title=Seahawks' Chris Spencer will miss rest of season|last=Romero|first=José Miguel|date=2008-12-04|newspaper=The Seattle Times|access-date=2009-03-26|quote=The Seahawks signed G Erik Robertson to the practice squad, releasing QB Travis Lulay to make room for Robertson.}}</ref>

===BC Lions===
[[File:14, Travis Lulay.jpg|Travis Lulay (14) in the [[2010 BC Lions season|2010]] home opener.|thumb|right]]
Lulay signed with the [[BC Lions]] on May 20, 2009, and impressed the coaching staff enough in training camp to insert him in the second pre-season game for three series, where he completed 8 of 10 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/four-quarterbacks-survive-cut/article1196047/|title=Four quarterbacks survive cut |last=Sekeres|first=Matthew |date=2009-06-24|newspaper=Globe and Mail|access-date=2009-06-25}}</ref> He saw limited action in the regular season as the Lions used a total of five different quarterbacks due to injuries.

In 2010, Lulay made his first professional start in the fourth game of the season against [[Toronto Argonauts|Toronto]] following injuries to starter [[Casey Printers]] and was expected to lead the Lions until Printers was ready to make his return to the lineup. However, Lulay was replaced by [[Jarious Jackson]] during the fourth quarter of the August 7th game against [[Calgary Stampeders|Calgary]] and also started the following game against [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Saskatchewan]]. Printers returned for the next game and won three out of the five games he started, but due to his turnover-filled back-to-back performances, he was replaced with Lulay as the starter in Game 13 against [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers|Winnipeg]], which the Lions won. After Lulay had a minor injury in the following game, again against Winnipeg, Printers came into the game to protect a 21-point lead. The Blue Bombers stormed back to tie the game and force overtime, which was decided by Printers' game-clinching [[interception]]. It was Casey's last game with the Lions as Buono released him soon after the game. Consequently, Lulay became the undisputed starting quarterback, finishing the season 4–5 as a starter.

[[File:Travis Lulay.jpg|Travis Lulay in a [[2011 BC Lions season|2011 season]] home game|thumb|left]]
The [[2010 BC Lions season|Lions]] got off to a slow start, losing their first five games of the season and falling into last place in the league. The Lions stopped their five-game losing skid in week 6, defeating the [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]], 24–11. In the following game against the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] Travis Lulay struggled and was replaced in the third quarter by [[Jarious Jackson]]. Following the loss to the Bombers, the Lions then went on to win eight games in a row, as not only Lulay but the team as a whole played much better football. Lulay earned CFL Offensive Player of the Week Honours during weeks 10 and 18 and earned CFL Offensive Player of the Month for October. The Lions won the final two games of the regular season to finish with a record of 11–7, but more importantly they earned 1st place in the Western Conference. Lulay was named the 2011 [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award|CFL's Most Outstanding Player]]. In the Western Conference Finals game, Lulay threw for almost 300 yards as the Lions disposed of the [[Edmonton Eskimos]] and advanced to the Grey Cup Final which was held in [[BC Place]]. On November 28, 2011, Lulay and the BC Lions defeated the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] in front of over 50,000 fans. Lulay threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns and was named the [[Grey Cup Most Valuable Player]].

In [[2012 BC Lions season|2012]], Lulay had another strong season, leading the Lions to another first-place finish and a berth in the West Final. Despite playing in just 16 games, he set career highs for completions, completion percentage and passer rating. Lulay also spent much of the season chasing history, as he was approaching the record for most consecutive games played with at least one touchdown pass. In the 15th game of the season, he extended the streak to 26 games, but injured his shoulder and did not play in the next game. Because he dressed in the game, by CFL rules, the streak ended. However, the CFL amended the rules and declared the streak intact since he did not play in the next two games.<ref>[https://vancouversun.com/sports/football/lions/Lions+Travis+Lulay+touchdown+passing+streak/7435525/story.html Lions' Travis Lulay's touchdown passing streak declared intact]</ref> Lulay played in the last game of the season, but only for 18 minutes, and did not throw for a touchdown, ending his streak at 26 games, second only to [[Sam Etcheverry]]'s 34.<ref>[https://www.cfl.ca/article/defence-rules-as-lions-shut-down-riders-in-finale Defence rules as Lions shut down Riders in finale]</ref> Lulay was named the CFL's offensive player of the week for week 12 and the offensive player of the month for September. For the second consecutive season, he was the Lions' nominee for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award. The Lions' hopes of repeating as [[Grey Cup]] champions ended in the West Final where they lost to the [[Calgary Stampeders]]. Lulay completed 33 of 46 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown, but it was not enough as the Lions lost, 34–29.

In January 2013, it was reported that Lulay signed a two-year contract extension worth a reported $450,000 per season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straight.com/news/344071/bc-lions-ink-star-quarterback-travis-lulay-contract-extension|title=B.C. Lions ink star quarterback Travis Lulay to contract extension|last=Paterson|first=Jeff|work=[[Georgia Straight]] | access-date=2013-04-07}}</ref> In Week 12 of the [[2013 CFL season|2013 regular season]] Lulay suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder when he impacted Alouettes defensive back [[Geoff Tisdale]] on a 19-yard rushing touchdown. The touchdown put the Lions up 29–7 with less than 9 minutes in the fourth quarter. The Lions ultimately won the game and opened the season with a record of 7–4. Lulay missed the next six games for the Lions; in that span they went 3–3. He returned to action in the last regular season game of 2013, but he only played for a limited amount of time, attempting only 4 passes, completing 3 of them for 54 yards. The Lions qualified for the playoffs as the 3rd seed in the West Division with a record of 11–7. Lulay started the playoff game against the Roughriders. He completed 20 of 26 pass attempts for 211 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also ran the ball 5 times for 60 yards. Nonetheless, the Lions were defeated by Saskatchewan 29–25, thus ending their 2013 season.

In November 2013 Lulay underwent shoulder surgery to repair the damage done from his September injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/travis-lulay-has-right-shoulder-surgery-reports-1.2435688|title = Travis Lulay has right shoulder surgery: reports|website = CBC Sports|last = Harrison|first = Doug}}</ref> Lulay missed the first half of the [[2014 CFL season]] while he rehabilitated his throwing shoulder. During that time [[Kevin Glenn]] led the Lions to a record of 5–4. After playing briefly in Week 9, Lulay returned to start for BC in Week 11, following their first bye week. Lulay completed 18 of 27 passes for 167 yards in a game dominated by the defense, but left with just under a minute to go in regular, his shoulder causing him extreme discomfort, 357 days since his last start. Lulay would not return to the field for the remainder of the 2014 season.

Lulay was again injured in Week 11 of the [[2015 CFL season]]; suffering a torn [[Medial collateral ligament|MCL]] in the game against the [[Montreal Alouettes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-alouettes-lions-recap-1.3215229|title=Travis Lulay, Lions quarterback, lost to injury in win over Alouettes|website=cbc.ca|date=2015-09-03|access-date=2017-07-16}}</ref> Due to the emergence of rookie quarterback [[Jonathon Jennings]] during his absence, Lulay became the backup quarterback when he returned from injury. On February 8, 2016, Lulay resigned with the Lions on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/lulay-lions-agree-to-two-year-deal-1.435058|title=Lions sign Lulay to two-year deal|website=tsn.ca|date=2016-02-08|access-date=2017-07-16}}</ref> Lulay spent the [[2016 CFL season]] as the Lions' backup quarterback, behind Jennings.

On July 15, 2017, during a Week 4 match against the [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]], Lulay set a new CFL record for most passing yards when coming off the bench. He threw 436 passing yards (a career-high) after replacing Jennings who left the game due to injury, helping the Lions win the game 41–26.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/16/lulay-career-night-win-ticats/|title=Lulay has career night in win over Ticats|website=cfl.ca|date=2017-07-15|access-date=2017-07-16}}</ref> Lulay started the next three games for the Lions, winning two of them, before a suffering a minor shoulder injury, which coincided with [[Jonathon Jennings]]' return to health in Week 8. Nevertheless, Jennings struggled in the next three games, resulting in Lulay being forced into action in all three matches (all of which were losses). With Lulay having greatly outplayed Jennings head coach [[Wally Buono]] announced Lulay as the starter for the team's Week 12 match against [[Montreal Alouettes|Montreal]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/buono-says-lulay-will-get-next-start-1.840022|title=Buono says Lulay will get next start - Article - TSN|date=2017-08-26|work=TSN|access-date=2017-08-27}}</ref> However, Lulay suffered a non-contact injury to his knee early in the game and did not return. On September 12, 2017, the Lions announced that Lulay would miss the remainder of the season with a torn [[Anterior cruciate ligament injury|ACL]], which required surgery and minor damage to his [[Medial collateral ligament|MCL]], which did not require surgery.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions-lulay-out-knee-injury-1.4285525|title=Lions lose Travis Lulay for rest of season with knee injury|work=CBC Sports|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/b-c-lions-quarterback-travis-lulay-done-for-season-with-knee-injury|title=B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay done for season with knee injury|date=2017-09-13|work=The Province|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en-US}}</ref>

On February 12, 2018, one day before the start of free agency, Lulay and the Lions agreed to a one-year contract extension.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bclions.com/2018/02/12/travis-lulay-returns-bc-lions-one-year-deal/|title=Travis Lulay Returns To BC Lions On One-Year Deal! - BC Lions|date=2018-02-12|work=BC Lions|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> On July 13, 2018, the Lions announced that Lulay would be the team's starting quarterback in their Week 5 match against the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers|Blue Bombers]]. Incumbent starting quarterback [[Jonathon Jennings]], who struggled in 2017, continued his poor play into the early weeks of the [[2018 CFL season|2018 season]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/lions-lulay-to-start-against-bombers-1.1138379|title=Lions' Lulay to start against Bombers - Article - TSN|date=2018-07-13|work=TSN|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref> Lulay started and finished the following six games for the Lions, winning twice. He suffered a concussion in Week 13 against the [[Ottawa Redblacks|Redblacks]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2018/09/07/lions-lulay-leaves-game-vs-redblacks-head-injury/|title=Lulay in concussion protocol after exiting vs. Ottawa - CFL.ca|date=2018-09-07|work=CFL.ca|access-date=2018-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Then the following week was knocked out of the contest in the first quarter after suffering a separated shoulder. In the days following the Lions announced they expected Lulay to miss four to six weeks recovering.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2018/09/18/report-lions-expect-lulay-miss-4-6-weeks/|title=Report: Lions expect Lulay to miss 4-6 weeks - CFL.ca|date=2018-09-18|work=CFL.ca|access-date=2018-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref> The Lions revealed that Lulay would return from injury in time for the team's Week 18 match against the Calgary Stampeders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2018/10/09/report-lions-qb-lulay-practising-starters/|title=Lulay, Sutton to start in Week 18 - CFL.ca|date=2018-10-09|work=CFL.ca|access-date=2018-10-10|language=en-US}}</ref> In the off-season the Lions brought in All-Star [[Mike Reilly (quarterback)|Mike Reilly]] to be the starting quarterback. As a free agent Lulay received multiple offers from other teams looking to sign him to a contract, however on February 28, 2019, he ultimately decided it was time to retire from professional sports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/02/28/travis-lulay-retires-10-cfl-seasons/|title=Travis Lulay retires after 10 CFL seasons|date=2019-02-28|website=CFL.ca|language=en|access-date=2019-03-01}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="65%" style="text-align:center"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="2" | 
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="9" | Passing
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="6" | Rushing
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! {{Tooltip|GA|Games active}}
! {{Tooltip|GS|Games started}}
! {{Tooltip|Att|Passes attempted}}
! {{Tooltip|Comp|Passes completed}}
! {{Tooltip|Pct|Completion percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|Yards|Passing yards}}
! {{Tooltip|TD|Touchdowns thrown}}
! {{Tooltip|Int|Interceptions thrown}}
! {{Tooltip|Rating|Quarterback rating}}
! {{Tooltip|Att|Carries attempted}}
! {{Tooltip|Yards|Total rushing yards}}
! {{Tooltip|Avg|Rushing average}}
! {{Tooltip|Long|Longest rush}}
! {{Tooltip|TD|Rushing touchdowns}}
! {{Tooltip|Fumb|Fumbles}}
|- align="center"
| [[2009 CFL season|2009]]
| [[2009 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 15
| 0
| 36
| 22
| 61.1
| 324
| 2
| 2
| 85.9
| 17
| 133
| 7.8
| 30
| 0
| 0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2010 CFL season|2010]]
| [[2010 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 18
| 9
| 318
| 205
| 64.5
| 2,602
| 9
| 11
| 84.9
| 62
| 396
| 6.4
| 20
| 4
| 8
|- align="center"
| [[2011 CFL season|2011]]
| [[2011 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 18
| 18
| 583
| 342
| 58.7
| 4,815
| 32
| 11
| 95.8
| 47
| 391
| 8.3
| 53
| 3
| 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2012 CFL season|2012]]
| [[2012 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 18
| 16
| 520
| 346
| 66.5
| 4,231
| 27
| 10
| 100.7
| 65
| 477
| 7.3
| 43
| 3
| 3
|- align="center"
| [[2013 CFL season|2013]]
| [[2013 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 12
| 11
| 347
| 224
| 64.6
| 2,841
| 19
| 11
| 95.0
| 41
| 287
| 7.0
| 23
| 3
| 6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2014 CFL season|2014]]
| [[2014 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 4
| 1
| 35
| 22
| 62.9
| 194
| 0
| 0
| 77.6
| 6
| 54
| 9.0
| 24
| 0
| 1
|- align="center"
| [[2015 CFL season|2015]]
| [[2015 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 14
| 10
| 266
| 167
| 62.8
| 1,953
| 12
| 10
| 84.4
| 20
| 166
| 8.3
| 40
| 0
| 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2016 CFL season|2016]]
| [[2016 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 18
| 0
| 32
| 22
| 68.8
| 205
| 2
| 2
| 80.9
| 16
| 27
| 1.7
| 8
| 6
| 0
|- align="center"
| [[2017 CFL season|2017]]
| [[2017 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 11
| 4
| 165
| 121
| 73.3
| 1,693
| 10
| 7
| 108.5
| 31
| 145
| 4.7
| 17
| 5
| 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2018 CFL season|2018]]
| [[2018 BC Lions season|BC]]
| 12
| 12
| 311
| 187
| 60.1
| 2,494
| 13
| 11
| 84.8
| 10
| 72
| 7.2
| 12
| 0
| 4
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="2" | [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] totals
! 140
! 81
! 2,613
! 1,658
! 63.5
! 21,352
! 127
! 75
! 93.2
! 315
! 2,148
! 6.8
! 53
! 24
! 25
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.bclions.com/players/travis-lulay/114942/ Travis Lulay] at [[BC Lions]]
* [https://www.cfl.ca/players/travis-lulay/114942/ Travis Lulay] at [[Canadian Football League]]
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201184605/http://www.bclions.com/roster/show/id/3811 |date=December 1, 2015 |title=Travis Lulay at BC Lions (old link)}}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205204818/http://cfl.ca/roster/show/id/3811 |date=December 5, 2015 |title=Travis Lulay at CFL (old link)}}

{{Montana State Bobcats quarterback navbox}}
{{Berlin Thunder quarterback navbox}}
{{BC Lions starting quarterback navbox}}
{{99th Grey Cup}}
{{CFL Most Outstanding Player Award}}
{{Grey Cup Most Valuable Player}}
{{Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lulay, Travis}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Berlin Thunder players]]
[[Category:BC Lions players]]
[[Category:Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Player Award winners]]
[[Category:Canadian football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Montana State Bobcats football players]]
[[Category:New Orleans Saints players]]
[[Category:People from Marion County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Seattle Seahawks players]]
[[Category:Players of Canadian football from Oregon]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Oregon]]