Eskimo QB Reilly 'a class act'
Plenty of Flathead football fans are familiar with the name Mike Reilly.
In his youth, the 6-foot-3 quarterback standout laid claim to the second-best passing season in Flathead High School history.
After he graduated from high school in 2002, his career took off at Central Washington University where he was named to the 2007 All American team and led the Wildcats to two NCAA Division II playoff victories. In 2009, he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was ultimately cut at training camp. He then played on practice rosters for the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams before signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
Reilly’s career then headed to the Canadian Football League, first with the British Columbia Lions. He was traded in 2013 to the Edmonton Eskimos. According to the league’s website, that year he became the first quarterback since 2007 to run more than 700 yards in a season. Last year Reilly was named to the West Division All Star Team.
That’s all pretty impressive for a local lad, but what impressed Canadian Helen Biltek was more than Reilly’s gridiron accomplishments.
The 86-year-old resident of Edmonton and longtime Eskimo fan recently wrote the Inter Lake about a surprise visit that enthralled her.
In December, Biltek had written letters to coach Chris Jones and quarterback Reilly to thank them for their efforts with the Eskimos in 2014.
“I received a thank-you note from Chris Jones a few days later,” Biltek said, “but the biggest thrill for me was on Dec. 19 when I opened my door to Mike Reilly! What a pleasant surprise!”
Reilly came to thank Biltek personally for her letter and brought her an autographed Eskimo jersey.
“What a class act from a very classy gentleman,” Biltek said in her letter to the Inter Lake. “I just want the folks in Kalispell to know what a great guy Mike is, and with his determination and leadership I believe the Grey Cup will come to Edmonton in 2015.”
Biltek also learned that Reilly is engaged. He and his fiancee are planning an April wedding and will make Edmonton their home.
Boy Scout Troop 1903 from Lakeside/Kalispell would like to thank the everyone at the Izaak Walton Inn for a wonderful time cross-country skiing on Feb. 21.
“The staff were all great, from the front desk to the restaurant, to the ski rental room,” den leader Tom Ritzdorf wrote. “We had a great time learning to cross-country ski and sharpen our skills, and we even had great snow! We really appreciate having this great location almost in our back yard.”
Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.