Bret Anderson

Anderson attended Terry Fox Secondary School in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia where he played both football and basketball. He played quarterback on the football team. As a senior in 1992, Anderson led the Terry Fox Ravens to the semi-finals of the provincial playoffs, where the Ravens lost to the Vancouver College Fighting Irish. He was designated the high school football offensive player-of-the-year in British Columbia.{{cite news|last1=Little|first1=Lyndon|title=College talent just keeps coming|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=November 21, 1992|page=E19}} As a basketball player, Anderson was selected as the MVP of the British Columbia AAA high school basketball tournament after leading the Ravens to their first championship in school history.{{cite news|last1=Kingston|first1=Gary|title=Hoop heroes win one in memory of Terry Fox: Namesake motivates champions|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=March 15, 1993|page=D3}} During the tournament, he scored 44 points against Caledonia and a game-high 28 points in the final against the North Delta Huskies.{{cite news|last1=Kingston|first1=Gary|title=Anderson pumps in 44 as legend grows|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=March 11, 1993|page=D9}} He played in a provincial basketball all-star game and was selected to represent British Columbia in the first football national championship tournament.{{cite news|last1=Strachan|first1=Alex|title=Ball-hogs stayed on sideline in competitive all-star tilt|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=April 8, 1993|page=D20}}{{cite news|last1=Shutiak|first1=Laura|title=DUSSAULT ENJOYING WORKING WITH KIDS|work=Calgary Herald|date=July 9, 1993|page=D2}} Anderson was a finalist for 1993 British Columbia High School Athlete of the Year.{{cite news|last1=Strachan|first1=Alex|title=Anderson, Mattiazzo, Poole in running for top athlete|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=February 24, 1994|page=D7}}

Anderson was recruited to play both football and basketball for colleges in the United States and Canada. By March 1993, over sixty colleges indicated interest. Anderson chose to remain in British Columbia and play both sports for the Simon Fraser Clan.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title=Double major: PoCo prodigy sticks close to home for hoops, gridiron play|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=March 30, 1993|page=D8}}

In 1993, Anderson was third on the depth chart at quarterback and contributed mostly as a punter. He finished with 1,406 yards on punts, and his only scoring play was a 53-yard rushing touchdown on a trick play.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title=Bret Anderson finds Clan plays at higher level: High school star adjusts to faster university play|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=December 2, 1993|page=D12}} As a sophomore, Anderson was initially used as a receiver after multiple players dropped out of the football team during training camp. After placekicker Tyson O'Shea suffered a knee injury, Anderson also began kicking field goals and regularly punting for the Clan. In his first game as a placekicker, he kicked four field goals and four one-point conversions to be named Mount Rainier Columbia Football Association player of the week.{{cite news|title=BRIEF: Graves under knife for disc problem|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=October 12, 1994|page=D11}} In 1995, Anderson was selected to the All-Conference first team as a kicker.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title='Quarterback' Guichon leads UBC volleyballers against UVic|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=November 16, 1995|page=D2}} As a senior, Anderson's kicking was considered the most reliable portion of the Clan's offense.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title=Clansmen hoping to round out offence to beat mighty Pacific Lutheran|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=September 27, 1996|page=F5}} He was named to the All-Conference second team.{{cite news|title=SFU's Brown honored|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=November 20, 1996|page=F4}}

As a freshman, Anderson didn't participate heavily on the basketball team. Due to overlaps in the football and basketball seasons, he didn't join the team until November, and he played only 13 minutes over the first four games he played with the Clan. Anderson was eventually substituted into 13 games as a freshman and scored 21 points.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title=Aspiring quarterback trades in his arm for foot: ANDERSON: Likes to catch|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=October 19, 1994|page=D1}} He was more active on the team as a sophomore. Anderson scored 10 points in overtime to help the Clan defeat Lewis–Clark State College 85–69.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title=Women volleyballers hope for return of power Sander|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=February 27, 1995|page=D3}} The following week, he scored a team-high 18 points in a 90–87 playoff loss to Seattle University.{{cite news|last1=Stinson|first1=Dan|title=Chieftains bring Clan's hoop season to an abrupt halt|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=March 2, 1995|page=D9}} Anderson continued playing basketball through his junior year before deciding to focus solely on football as a senior.{{cite news|last1=Tsumara|first1=Howard|title='SuperSonic' Simson: Kelowna's two-sport star set to make grid-hoops history next season at UBC|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/high-school/supersonic-simson-kelownas-two-sport-star-set-to-make-grid-hoops-history-next-season-at-ubc|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=The Province|date=February 1, 2016}}

The BC Lions selected Anderson in the fourth round of the 1997 CFL Draft with the 25th overall pick. He was expected to be "groomed as [kicker] Lui Passaglia's eventual replacement".{{cite news|last1=Kingston|first1=Gary|title=Lions snare Beveridge with their first pick|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=April 8, 1997|page=E1}} In the Lions' first preseason game, Anderson had a shaky start as a placekicker, missing two of five field goal attempts.{{cite news|last1=Macintyre|first1=Iain|title=Owner Braley 'enthusiastic' despite crowd|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 9, 1997|page=C3}} He competed for Trevor Shaw's slotback position, but the Lions eventually decided to convert Al Shipman to slotback and retain both Shaw and Anderson as backups.{{cite news|last1=Macintyre|first1=Iain|title=Perseverance pays off for B.C. Lions' receiver Shaw|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 11, 1997|page=D13}}{{cite news|last1=Macintyre|first1=Iain|title=Shipman, Philpot share backfield: Lions' coach Adam Rita makes bold move to keep both speedsters on roster as CFL club trims roster to 36-man limit.|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 23, 1997|page=C3}} Anderson contributed most as a kickoff specialist during the 1997 season, but he also was used as a punter occasionally.{{cite news|last1=Little|first1=Lyndon|title=Lions' confidence takes a beating, courtesy of Toronto|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=October 6, 1997|page=C1}} He played in 13 regular season games as a rookie.

Anderson again competed for a roster spot as a slotback in 1998.{{cite news|last1=Klovance|first1=Rob|title=Shillingford is no lock for Canadian receiver: Six homebrew receivers remain in camp as Lions get ready for last exhibition game Thursday at B.C. Place.|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 22, 1998|page=D7}} Despite catching five receptions for 45 yards in a preseason game, Anderson failed to make the roster as a slotback and was released as part of the Lions' final roster cuts before the start of the regular season.{{cite news|last1=Klovance|first1=Rob|title=Lions win one but take hits to key players|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 26, 1998|page=E1}}{{cite news|last1=Klovance|first1=Rob|title=Quick Six is deep sixed as Lions alter backfield|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 29, 1998|page=D1}} In mid-July, slotback Shaw dislocated his shoulder and was unable to start. Anderson rejoined the team and received his first start in place of Shaw.{{cite news|title=Scouting Report|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=July 10, 1998|page=E1}} He reclaimed his kickoff role later that month before suffering a groin injury.{{cite news|title=Scouting Report|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=July 30, 1998|page=E3}} Anderson's injury prevented him from playing for the entirety of August, and he was unable to perform kickoffs even after his return to special teams.{{cite news|last1=Klovance|first1=Rob|title=Kickoff auditions no boot at Lui: B.C. Lions are happy with veteran Lui Passaglia, but are looking for somebody who can hoof the ball near the goalline on kickoffs.|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=October 15, 1998|page=F5}} He finished his limited season with 13 regular season appearances.

Anderson played in all 18 regular season games in 1999, mostly as a kickoff specialist. Anderson acted as a backup kicker for Passaglia on field goals, but he didn't kick any field goals despite Passaglia suffering an adbdominal muscle injury in the early season.{{cite news|title=Passaglia's three misses hurt Leos|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=September 20, 1999|page=C1}} Anderson recorded a career-high 21 special team tackles, including five against the Montreal Alouettes in early September.{{cite news|last1=Klovance|first1=Rob|title=Lions whip Alouettes to lead the CFL|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=September 3, 1999|page=E1}}

After receiver Don Blair underwent surgery, Anderson again competed for a starting slotback role. He injured his knee while playing in a preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders, preventing him from continuing in the role during the regular season.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=A shot at slotback for versatile Lion|work=The Vancouver Province|date=June 21, 2000|page=A55}}{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Game stymies QB: CFL nuances sack hopeful Nussmeier|work=The Vancouver Province|date=June 29, 2000|page=A58}} Although activated briefly for a game in late July, Anderson was later moved to the nine-week injured list and did not return until October.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=It's more than the score: Offensive and defensive sets are important, and then there's the mindset|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 20, 2000|page=A52}}{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Leos pondered kicker deal: Argos' Giancola targeted because he's Canadian|work=The Vancouver Province|date=August 3, 2000|page=A53}}{{cite news|last1=Ireland|first1=Joanne|title=Game-Day Snaps: Edmonton Eskimos vs. B.C. Lions|work=Edmonton Journal|date=October 1, 2000|page=D1}} He finished with four regular season games played in 2000.

In the West final against the Stampeders, one of Anderson's kickoffs landed short, bounced off a Lions player's leg, and went out of bounds to allow the Lions to regain possession. This helped contribute to a 37–23 win, which was considered a major upset.{{cite news|last1=Petrie|first1=Michael|title=Double destruction: Roaring Lions, eight turnovers derail stunned Stampeders|work=Calgary Herald|date=November 20, 2000|page=D1}} The Lions went on to win the 88th Grey Cup against the 27–21 against the Alouettes, making Anderson a Grey Cup champion.{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0-9835136-6-7|page=51}}

After winning the Grey Cup, Passaglia elected to retire. Anderson competed with Jamie Boreham and Matt Kellett for kicking and punting duties.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Lions defend CFL title|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 9, 2001|page=G4}} The Lions elected to use Anderson more as a receiver than kicker with the Lions coaching staff believing he could have a "breakout season".{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Roaring success: Near invisible in the offseason, the Lions look set to unveil Sneak Attack. B.C. Lions talk about what it'll take to repeat as Grey Cup champions|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 5, 2001|page=A58}} In the season opener against the Edmonton Eskimos, Anderson scored his first career receiving touchdown, following it with a single on the resulting kickoff.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Kellett boots Esks|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 8, 2001|page=A86}}{{cite news|last1=Hall|first1=Vicki|title=Lions claw to prevent a draw: Millington's short OT run ruins gutsy comeback by Esks in season-opener; Lions 35 Eskimos 28 (OT)|work=Edmonton Journal|date=July 8, 2001|page=D1}} Due to a hip pointer and back injury suffered during the opener, Anderson spent multiple stints on the injured list in July and early August.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=CFL Game Day|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=July 21, 2001|page=G3}}{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=CFL Game Day|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=July 27, 2001|page=D3}} After returning to the team in mid-August, Anderson was effective on special teams, blocking a punt in two consecutive games.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Allen ready to run risks|work=The Vancouver Province|date=August 10, 2001|page=A54}}{{cite news|title=Report card|work=The Vancouver Province|date=August 26, 2001|page=A79}}

Due to various injuries, Anderson spent September as back-ups at receiver, kicker, and quarterback.{{cite news|title=But can he also drive the team bus?|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=September 5, 2001|page=C1}} He spent some time playing both receiver and kicker in late September due to injuries and a kicking slump by Kellett, respectively.{{cite news|title=Bombers prove they're best|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=September 29, 2001|page=H1}} Anderson finished the season with 189 receiving yards on 18 catches over 15 regular season games, his largest receiving load with the Lions up to that time.

Anderson was re-signed by the Lions in January 2002.{{cite news|last1=Little|first1=Lyndon|title=Rita cutting down potential free agents: Mantyka and Anderson the latest to sign contracts|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=January 31, 2002|page=E6}} Anderson solidified his role as a starting receiver during the preseason.{{cite news|title=Lions counting on Allen|work=Prince George Citizen|date=June 21, 2002|page=11}} He briefly missed time in late July with a knee issue.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Passing his prime: Allen's still a good quarterback, just not quite as good as he used to be|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 30, 2002|page=A42}} In October, Anderson scored a single on a trick play as the first half ended when he caught a 30-yard reception and immediately kicked it into the endzone, where it was recovered by the Calgary Stampeders.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Trickery a nice touch in win|work=The Vancouver Province|date=October 15, 2002|page=A43}} The 2002 season was Anderson's most successful as a receiver with 409 receiving yards on 28 catches, both lasting career highs.

Anderson played slotback regularly during June and July while Jason Clermont was injured. By mid-July, Anderson had 11 receptions for 158 yards.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=No cause for alarm to veteran slotback: Bret Anderson can be a firefighter and a player - Buono|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 15, 2003|page=A40}} He slowed down through the rest of the season after Clermont returned, finishing with 20 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns. In November, Anderson signed a contract extension for one year with an option.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Ackles expects the Lions to progress: President intends to remain with the project as long as he is healthy and can see the team moving forward|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=November 6, 2003|page=E1}}

In July, Lions head coach Wally Buono had Anderson kick field goals in practice, announcing that Anderson may take over that responsibility if kicker Duncan O'Mahony continued to perform poorly.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Buddy, can you spare ...|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 8, 2004|page=A58}} Having already lost his kickoff role to O'Mahony, Anderson had no consistent role on the team in 2004 other than as a special teams player. In late July, Anderson announced he was leaving the Lions to become a firefighter full-time. Anderson's departure was reported as a retirement.{{cite news|last1=Petrie|first1=Michael|title=Notable|work=Calgary Herald|date=July 28, 2004|page=C2}} He played in five regular season games during 2004 before leaving the Lions.

In April 2005, Buono negotiated with the Port Coquitlam Fire Department to allow Anderson to work both jobs simultaneously.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Taking out fire insurance: B.C. Lions want to share Bret Anderson with the Port Coquitlam fire department|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=April 14, 2005|page=E6}} Anderson re-signed with the Lions in June, missing training camp but joining the team before the regular season started.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Lions gain non-import depth: Bret Anderson, Chris Hoople return to the fold|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 21, 2005|page=E4}} Anderson served as a backup slotback and kicker. In late July, he played most of a game at slotback due to a hamstring injury to Geroy Simon.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Stamps underfoot: CFL I B.C. remains undefeated on the season, but win could be costly|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=July 30, 2005|page=E1}} In August, he regained kickoff duties from O'Mahony.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Kicker's out on an island after latest shocker: Coach is giving wayward O'Mahony less work to do|work=The Vancouver Province|date=August 15, 2005|page=A39}} After O'Mahony missed three field goals in an October game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Anderson attempted a 48-yard field goal to tie the game with less than a minute left to play. The field goal was blocked, resulting in a loss.{{cite news|last1=Mcintyre|first1=Gordon|title=O'Mahoney figures he's gone: SCAPEGOAT: Kicker's fate will likely be revealed on Wednesday|work=The Vancouver Province|date=October 2, 2005|page=A65}} O'Mahony was later replaced by Mark McLoughlin with Anderson remaining the backup field goal kicker.{{cite news|last1=Henry|first1=Ken|title=O'Mahony no longer kicking field goals: But Abby man says he has no hard feelings|work=Abbotsford Times|date=October 25, 2005|page=24}}

The Lions' kicker issues persisted into the postseason. In the final game of the regular season, Anderson injured his ribs on the opening kickoff and was replaced by McLoughlin, who later damaged his hamstring.{{cite news|last1=McIntyre|first1=Gordon|title=If you're any kind of a kicker, just make sure your cell's on|work=The Vancouver Province|date=November 7, 2005|page=A38}} Anderson healed in time to perform kickoffs in the West Final against the Eskimos, which the Lions lost 23–28.{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Jim|title=Lions' kickers may go toe-to-toe|work=Hamilton Spectator|date=November 19, 2005|page=SP07}}{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0-9835136-6-7|page=38}}

Anderson "retired" prior to the beginning of training camp in 2006 as part of a deal between the Lions and the Port Coquitlam Fire Department. Anderson worked regular shifts as a firefighter throughout training camp before rejoining the team in early June, immediately before the start of the regular season.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=He's available to fight fires|work=The Vancouver Province|date=June 9, 2006|page=A69}}

Anderson has three daughters and a son with his wife, Jennifer.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Stensrud gets call to stave off Montford|work=The Vancouver Province|date=October 2, 2002|page=A35}} Anderson's father, Al Anderson, played American football at Western Washington University before declining a contract from the BC Lions in favour of becoming a high school teacher.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Opportunity knocking: CFL I Anderson gets a chance to prove he's ready as the Lions put in the call|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=June 28, 2003|page=J1}}

In 2003, while Anderson was playing for the Lions, he was trained as a firefighter with the expectation that he may lose his position on the team after that season. He accepted a job at the Port Coquitlam Fire Department in July 2004.{{cite news|last1=Ullrich|first1=Lowell|title=Career change for career Lion|work=The Vancouver Province|date=July 25, 2004|page=A71}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{88th Grey Cup}}

{{94th Grey Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Bret}}

Category:Living people

Category:1974 births

Category:Canadian football placekickers

Category:Canadian football slotbacks

Category:Simon Fraser Red Leafs football players

Category:BC Lions players

Category:Players of Canadian football from British Columbia

Category:Sportspeople from New Westminster

Category:Guards (basketball)

Category:Canadian men's basketball players

Category:Simon Fraser Red Leafs men's basketball players

Category:Basketball people from British Columbia