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KAMLOOPS — Brett Boyko, the better-late-than-never B.C. Lion, says despite all the drama and intrigue over the years, there was only one occasion when he was close to signing with the Leos.

That was in 2016 when the offensive lineman was, literally, two days away from heading north. Boyko, who had already spent a year on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, had been released by the San Diego Chargers in September and believed he might be done with the NFL.

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The NFL, however, wasn’t done with him.

“It was getting close to October and I wanted to play football,” Boyko recounts here at the Lions’ training camp. “I said, ‘Here’s the deal. It’s Friday. If I haven’t heard anything by Tuesday, I’m signing with B.C.’

“Sure enough, Sunday I got a call and the Chargers wanted me back.”

Good one, San Diego.

“I know a lot of people have said I was holding (the Lions) off,” Boyko said. “But it was hard for me to think about the CFL because I was in Philly or San Diego. I was focused on what was in front of me. It was something that took time but I’m beyond happy to be here. I’m really excited about this opportunity.”