Award-winning homegrown running back Sean Millington selected for Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Photo courtesy: Jill Meagher/B.C. Lions

Canadian running back Sean Millington is the newest member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

The 58-year-old was informed of his selection on Tuesday during B.C. Lions’ practice. Millington was invited to come speak to the team at the end of the session, before being surprised by the announcement.

“I’m elated, overjoyed, overwhelmed, grateful, blessed and amazed. It’s such a shock and something you obviously think about every year. You hear who is going in and do the relative rankings in your head,” Millington said upon hearing the
news.

“You think maybe someday it might be nice. When it finally does happen, you can’t believe it. I can’t wait to tell my mom. She’s seen the whole process. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here. She’s sacrificed a lot, so that could have the advantages that I have today. Without her, none of this is possible.”

Millington was selected first overall by Edmonton in the 1990 CFL Draft after an outstanding collegiate career at Simon Fraser University. The North Vancouver native would join his hometown Lions in 1991 and would go on to play 10 seasons with the team across two separate stints (1991-97, 2000-02). He also spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1998), Elks (1991, 1999) and Toronto Argonauts (2005).

In 194 CFL games, Millington carried the ball 1,129 times for 6,086 yards and 75 touchdowns. He also caught 312 passes for 3,234 yards and seven majors. The six-foot-three, 237-pound back was nicknamed “The Diesel” for his physical running style and was often utilized as a blocking fullback, in addition to a robust role on special teams. His 176 career special teams tackles are tied for fourth all-time in league history.

Millington is a two-time Most Outstanding Canadian winner (1997, 2000), a three-time CFL All-Star (1993-94, 2000), and a five-time West Division All-Star (1993-94, 1996-97, 2000). He won Grey Cups with the Lions in 1994 and 2000, earning Most Valuable Canadian honours for the latter.

The Carson Graham Secondary graduate is still the Lions’ all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (66) and sits third in franchise history for rushing yards (4,984). He set single-game rushing records for both B.C. (212 yards) and Edmonton (225), the latter of which still stands today. He was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

After retirement, Millington has worked as an analyst for the CFL on CBC, a personal trainer, and an investment advisor for TD Waterhouse. He has also dabbled in acting, with notable credits including Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis, Are We There Yet? starring Ice Cube, and Underworld: Evolution starring Kate Beckinsale.

Millington joins receiver Brandon Banks as the only members of the Class of 2026 to be unveiled thus far, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. The group will be officially enshrined in Hamilton as part of the Hall of Fame Game festivities on Friday, September 18.