VANCOUVER -- Buck Pierce prepared for his retirement from the CFL by getting into the restaurant business while he was still playing. But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. "(Football) is my passion. Ive always been a student of the game and looked up to coaches. "Obviously, (the passion doesnt end) just because you stop playing. That competitive fire will never burn out." Pierce split last season between the Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, throwing for 1,176 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Over nine seasons with Winnipeg and B.C., he completed 1,200 passes for 15,289 yards, 76 TDs and 63 interceptions. "I feel pretty good about (retiring) actually," he said. "I feel that, over the last nine years, its been a great career for me. I enjoyed every minute of it. The teammates, the organizations were the part that were great experiences for me. Its a hard day also, in a way, for me because its what Ive known. Its what Ive been about for the most part of my life. "So its a big day in both ways. But Im also excited about the next phase of my life and moving on." Pierce, a 32-year-old Hutchinson, Kan., native who played collegiately at New Mexico State, originally signed with the Lions in 2005. He was a key member of the club as both a backup and starter through five seasons before playing 3 1/2 seasons with the Blue Bombers. He returned to B.C. last September in a trade that brought wide receiver Akeem Foster to Winnipeg. "Buck was a fearless competitor who never hesitated to put his body on the line for our organization," Lions general manager Wally Buono said in a news release. Pierces career was marred by multiple injuries as he chose to take a hit instead of sliding or running out of bounds before getting tackled. But he said the rewards were worth the punishment. "I wouldnt change anything I played the game the way that I felt this game should be played, and I felt that I represented myself extremely well on and off the field," he said. "Theres always going to be critics, and people are going to say what theyre going to say, but at the end of the day, I represented myself and my family and this league in a positive way." He won a Grey Cup with the Lions in 2006 and led the Bombers to the 2011 championship game, where they lost 34-23 to B.C. "Obviously, winning the Grey Cup in 06 was a big point in my life," he said. "Theres lots of memories. You dont necessarily remember all of the big wins and stuff like that. But when you play almost a decade, you have lots of teammates and you see lots of teammates be traded and all these things, so you have lots of memories that stick with you. "Obviously, when I helped the Bombers get to a Grey Cup in Vancouver, that was a big part, and I felt very good about what we accomplished that year." His final CFL campaign, when he was relegated to third-string status with the Blue Bombers before being dealt, was "extremely difficult." "But its all about what he you take away from situations and what you learn," he said. "I was fortunate enough to get traded to B.C., where it all started, and I had some great games at the end of the year. Im privileged and excited to be retiring as a Lion." Pierce had "extremely minor" arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder following the season and would have needed to get another contract from the Lions. But neither his health nor contract issues affected the decision to retire. "I didnt know what was going to happen (after) last year," he said. "I wanted it to be my decision. It wasnt money. It wasnt about injuries. It wasnt about anything else. It was about where I was at my point in my career and moving forward and taking that next step -- and about taking advantage of some of the opportunities that I have out there." Noting he had reached a state of contentment, Pierce expressed gratitude to fans, teammates and his two clubs alike. "The CFL and Canada have been great to me," he said. "Ive been fortunate to have amazing teammates, great mentors all throughout my career, and have played in great cities in the league -- and became a part of the culture here in Canada." He and his wife Lori, who is from Winnipeg, live in the Manitoba capital and plan to reside there until the future opportunities take them somewhere else. "Winnipegs the place that I call home right now," said Pierce. After announcing Pierces retirement, the Lions also announced the signings of quarterbacks John Beck and Jarrett Lee. Pending any early cuts following a mini-camp, the Lions are slated to have five quarterbacks at training camp in June in Kamloops, B.C. In addition to starter Travis Lulay, whose recovery from off-season shoulder surgery is considered ahead of schedule, the Lions have holdover QBs Joey Elliott, the apparent No. 2 at this point, and second-year pro Chris Hart. Jordan Outlet España . Anything less than gold for either nation is considered a disappointment. Yet for Switzerland, advancing to the semifinal might be a victory in itself. Air Max Falsas .com) - Real Madrid claimed its 20th consecutive win across all competitions by cruising to a 4-1 victory at Almeria on Friday. https://www.zapatillasbaratasspain.es/za...nline-d988.html. With Bernard hurt, the second-round pick has emerged.Hill ran for 152 yards during a 27-10 win at New Orleans on Sunday, his second big game. He also ran for 154 yards against Jacksonville earlier this season. Zapatillas España . - Aaron Rodgers makes tough throws that can leave fans of the Green Bay Packers speechless. Air Jordan Baratas . Ryu (8-3) allowed a run and three hits in six innings and struck out six in his 13th start. In his first 13 starts last season -- his first in the major leagues -- the left-hander was 8-5 with a 2.85 ERA. This was the ninth time this year that Ryu has allowed fewer than three earned runs, and he is 7-0 in those games.INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George beat the odds to become an NBA star. Hell have to do it all over again to play next season. Two weeks after a gruesome compound fracture of his right leg, George said Friday he remains hopeful that he can make it back onto the court late next season even though its a longshot. George called the injury a "freak accident." "All I can do at this point is sleep, watch TV and lay down, so its tough for me. Im used to being active, lifting weights, being in the gym," George said as his mother and father watched his news conference from a few feet away. "At the same time, I want to be part of this team. The last thing I want to do is feel like Im not part of this team because Im out. Im holding out hope, just personally, because I want to be back." George has thrived in the underdog role, going from mostly overlooked prep recruit to Fresno State star. He was impressive enough in college to catch the attention of Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird, who took him No. 10 overall in 2010. After his third season in the league, George was named the NBAs Most Improved Player. Hes led the Pacers in scoring, played in the All-Star Game and made the leagues all-defensive team each of the past two seasons. Paul was injured Aug. 1 during a U.S. national team scrimmage in Las Vegas when he his right leg collided with the basketball stanchion, snapping it in two. "When I looked down and saw bone sticking out, I knew it was bad," George said, later describing the feeling as having his leg lit on fire. "Id felt pain before, but I have never felt pain like that. So I knew it was bad." George said he has watched the replay once and wont watch it again. Doctors have told the 24-year-old star that he is likely to make a full recovery, though it will take a full year. Bird and coach Frank Vogel said earlier this week they did not plan to have George in 2014-15. George said he thinks he can change those plans -- if he can avoid risking another injury. George said doctors placed pins in his knee and ankle to stabilize a rod that was inserted into the injured leg, which was brooken in two places.dddddddddddd. Three days later, he returned to his suburban Indianapolis home where is now recuperating in a cast and hobbling around on crutches. While no firm timetable has been set for his return, George said he could begin strengthening his right knee as early as next week. Thats little consolation to the workaholic. "This was going to be a huge year for me, so for me not to be out there at the beginning, I do feel a little guilty about that," George said. "It hurts." The immediate question that went through Georges mind was whether he did something wrong on the play. Some have questioned whether the NBAs highest-paid stars, such as George, should risk injury while representing their country or whether the stanchion was too close to the court. George didnt offer an opinion about the stanchion but did make one thing clear: He wants to play for the 2016 Olympic Team. "I think its real unfair, the criticism they are getting because it was a freak accident. No ones really been injured since USA Basketball has been here," George said. "It was a freak accident. Freak accidents happen." George thanked the national team, players around the league, those within the Pacers organizations and fans for their outpouring of support. A small contingent of Georges fan club waited outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse to catch a glimpse of him pulling into the arenas underground garage. A handful of teammates also showed up at the news conference. George recently received clearance from the NBA to change his number from 24 to 13, giving him the much more marketable moniker of PG-13. To do that, he splurged for about 600 of his own jerseys, which he donated to his high school and a local Boys & Girls Club near his hometown of Palmdale, California. Otherwise, hes not planning to change a thing. "I never play the game with any hesitation, thats probably why Im in this cast," George said, drawing laughter. "Im not looking at this as something negative for my career. Its something I can overcome and it will be a great opportunity to sit back and watch and learn the game." ' ' '