CFL Social Media Firestorm: B.C. Lions' 'Lemon' Tweet Sparks Outcry After Redblacks Rout

Well, the B.C. Lions might have snagged a dominant 45-24 victory on the field against the Ottawa Redblacks last week at TD Place, but their social media team seems to have fumbled off it. A particular post on X (formerly Twitter) following the game has truly stirred up a hornet's nest, drawing widespread criticism from around the Canadian Football League and beyond.

It wasn't just any win, you see. While the Lions are on a fantastic run, boasting a 6-5 record and five consecutive victories, the Redblacks are, frankly, in a very different boat. They're struggling, hard. This latest defeat marked their 11th loss of the season without a single win, extending their overall losing streak to a painful, modern CFL-era record of 17 straight games dating back to last season. It’s hard not to feel for a fanbase that’s endured so much disappointment, and it’s this backdrop that makes the Lions' post feel particularly tone-deaf to many.

The game itself saw a rather spirited first half, with the score tied at 17-17 before the Lions pulled away dramatically after the break. But here's the kicker, the post that started it all: the B.C. Lions' official account shared, "The BC Lions have decided to respectfully refrain from posting win memes tonight out of an abundance of caution for the well-being of the Ottawa Redblacks and their fans… The Road Team, please enjoy yet another lemon. Thank you." It was clearly meant to be a cheeky jab, but the reaction suggests it landed more like a cheap shot.

Naturally, the reactions poured in almost immediately. Dave Campbell, who serves as the radio colour analyst for the Edmonton Elks, was one of the first to voice his disapproval. "I slept on it and yeah, I don't like this at all," he posted, reflecting on the situation. "I've seen up close what it's like for an organization to struggle and fan base that is discouraged by it." It’s a sentiment that speaks volumes about the empathy often found within the CFL community.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood kept his comment brief but impactful, simply writing, "Wow. Cold." And he wasn't alone. Hamilton-based sports anchor Clint (Bubba) O'Neil didn't mince words either, calling the tweet a "cheap shot" and labeling it a "poor look" for the Lions' organization. Even Chris Hofley, a former communications manager for the Redblacks, weighed in, suggesting the tweet tried too hard and ultimately failed. "Love chirps from team accounts," Hofley wrote, "But if you're going to go this way the statement has to be at least a bit clever. This is just trying too hard to end up with cheap grasping at low-hanging fruit."

As of Monday afternoon, some time after the game and the initial flurry of criticism, the controversial post remained visible on the B.C. Lions' Twitter account. Meanwhile, there's been no immediate public comment from the Ottawa Redblacks, which, frankly, isn't all that surprising. When you're facing a historic losing streak, responding to social media jabs is probably the least of your worries. Still, the incident certainly sparks a conversation about where the line lies between playful banter and outright poor taste in sports communication.