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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · 2d

The Death of Earl Grey

As Governor General, Earl Grey lent his support to several Canadian arts and sports initiatives. In 1909, he donated a trophy to be awarded for the Amateur Rugby Football Championship of Canada. Soon, the trophy would become known as the Grey Cup.

#cfl

The Death of Earl Grey - Canadian Football History

On August 29, 1917, newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic reported that Earl Grey had died at the age of 65. How well do you know the man who donated the ...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · 9d

Portland Hosts Fast Break CFL Football, Precursor to CFL USA Expansion

Flashback to the 1992 exhibition game in Portland, Oregon between the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders.

CFL expansion to the United States would follow in 1993.

canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/10/01/p...

Portland Hosts Fast Break CFL Football, Precursor to CFL USA Expansion - Canadian Football History

In 1992, the Canadian Football League was looking to grow. Larry Smith was appointed the CFL’s new commissioner with a mandate to expand the CFL. Of course, ...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · 16d

CFL Goes With Shorter End Zones

Once upon a time, the regulation Canadian football field was 110 yards long between the goal lines with two 25 yard end zones. If you watch older CFL games you will realize just how massive the end zones were. #cfl

canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/09/24/c...

CFL Goes With Shorter End Zones - Canadian Football History

The Johnston Rules are coming to Canadian football. Proponents argue they will open up the Canadian game and lead to more exciting touchdowns. Opponents grum...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · 18d

The Johnston Rules are coming to the CFL. Canadian football continues to evolve...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · 23d

Ottawa Downs Las Vegas 54-50 in 1994 Labour Day Weekend Shootout

Back in 1994 one of the CFL’s Labour Day weekend matchups included the Ottawa Rough Riders playing host to the Las Vegas Posse.

canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/09/17/o...

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Ottawa Downs Las Vegas 54-50 in 1994 Labour Day Weekend Shootout - Canadian Football History

Labour Day weekend is arguably the biggest deal in the Canadian Football League outside the Grey Cup. The end-of-summer holiday features games between the CF...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · 28d

The 1956 plane crash that claimed the lives of five Canadian football players garnered widespread newspaper coverage across Canada and parts of the United States. Here is a sampling of news articles about the tragedy.

Front page of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix (December 10, 1956)

Front page of the Regina Leader-Post (December 10, 1956)

Front page of the Iowa City Press-Citizen (December 10, 1956)

Article in the Regina Leader-Post holding out hope for Mario DeMarco.

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Sep 10

Five Canadian Football Players Lost in 1956 Plane Crash

A sad story about five football players who lost their lives in a plane crash returning from the 1956 all-star game in Vancouver.

canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/09/10/f...

Five Canadian Football Players Lost in 1956 Plane Crash - Canadian Football History

On Sunday, December 9, 1956, tragedy struck Canadian football when five professional players lost their lives in one of the country’s worst aviation disaster...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Sep 5

Were you an American CFL fan in the 1990s when the league had U.S.-based teams? I'm working on a piece and looking for fans who attended CFL games in the USA. - RF

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Sep 3

Calgary Companies Celebrate the Opening of McMahon Stadium

Many Calgary-based companies took out ads in the Calgary Albertan and Calgary Herald newspapers to celebrate the opening of the new stadium. An assortment of the advertisements are posted on the blog. Do you see any companies you recognize?

Calgary Companies Celebrate the Opening of McMahon Stadium - Canadian Football History

Last week’s post was about the construction of Calgary’s McMahon Stadium in just 103 days. The stadium replaced Mewata Stadium as the new home of...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Sep 1

Next up, it's Calgary versus Edmonton in the Battle of Alberta. For the 1992 Labour Day Classic between these two teams, a state-of-the-art replay screen was brought into McMahon Stadium. It cost Stampeders owner Larry Ryckman $50,000 for the video board.

1992 Labour Day Classic ad in the Calgary Herald

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Sep 1

The Labour Day Classics continue in the CFL. First up, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Toronto Argonauts. Here's an ad in the Hamilton Spectator promoting the 1992 game between these two rivals.

1992 Labour Day Classic Hamilton Spectator ad

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 31

It's Labour Day Weekend in the CFL. 35 years ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders set an attendance record at Taylor Field. On Sunday, September 2, 1990, they beat Winnipeg 55-11 in front of 31,121 fans.

Here's an ad in the Regina Leader-Post promoting the big game.

Ad in the Regina Leader-Post promoting the Labour Day Classic (1990)

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 29

Eaton's Salutes the Opening of McMahon Stadium

That old Canadian iconic retailer Eaton's ran this ad in the Calgary Albertan in 1960 to commemorate the opening of McMahon Stadium.

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 26

Calgary’s McMahon Stadium Built in 103 Days

McMahon Stadium turned 65 this month. It is one of just a few of the “old” CFL stadiums still in use. But back in 1960, the new McMahon Stadium was hailed as one of the finest football stadiums in the country.

canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/08/26/c...

Calgary’s McMahon Stadium Built in 103 Days - Canadian Football History

McMahon Stadium turned 65 this month. It is one of just a few of the “old” CFL stadiums still in use. Most CFL teams are playing in either relatively new or ...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 25

This week, we're going to look back at the construction and opening of McMahon Stadium. Calgary's football stadium turned 65 this month. Stay tuned... #cfl

Ticket to a Better Seat at McMahon Stadium

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 21

Here are the team photos for the 1952 and 1954 Windsor AKO Fratmen who won the Leader Post Trophy for the Canadian junior football championship. #cjfl

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 20

In time perhaps. Have already heard from some boasting the Saskatoon Hilltops.

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 20

Windsor AKO a Powerhouse in Canadian Junior Football in the 1950s

Here's an article on one of the most successful junior football teams in Canada and their dominant run in the 1950s.

canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/08/20/w...

#cjfl

Windsor AKO a Powerhouse in Canadian Junior Football in the 1950s - Canadian Football History

In the early to mid 1950s, the Windsor AKO Fratmen were the dominant junior football team in Ontario. They appeared in four consecutive national championship...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 19

They're quite the success story really.

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 19

This week we're talking about the Windsor AKO Fratmen, a dominant team in Canadian junior football, who played in four straight national championships in the 1950s.

Windsor AKO Fratmen 1954 Canadian Junior Football Champions

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 13

The Toronto Argonauts Sign the Rocket

In 1991, the Argos lured the projected number one pick in the NFL draft north, making him the highest paid professional football player at the time.

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#cfl #argos

The Toronto Argonauts Sign the Rocket - Canadian Football History

Imagine this. The suits in the NFL are getting ready for their star-studded college draft. Everyone is talking about who’s going to be picked. Who’s going to...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 11

This week, we're working on an article about one of the biggest signings in CFL history. Sending shockwaves across North America, the Toronto Argonauts lured "the Rocket" to the CFL. Stay tuned.

LA Times article about the Rocket signing with the Toronto Argonauts

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 6

Marv Levy Named CFL’s 1974 Coach of the Year

He is one of only two head coaches to have coached in both a Grey Cup and a Super Bowl, the other being Bud Grant.

#cfl #nfl

Marv Levy Named CFL’s 1974 Coach of the Year - Canadian Football History

Recently, Marv Levy – a legend in both Canadian and American football – celebrated his 100th birthday. He was born on August 3, 1925 in Chicago, ...

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 5

On Sunday, the legendary Marv Levy turned 100. He coached the CFL's Montreal Alouettes before moving to the NFL. Levy is a member of both the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. #cfl #nfl

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Canadian Football History @canadianfootballhistory.ca · Aug 1

Did You Know?
The first, last, and only U.S.-based team to win the Grey Cup was the Baltimore Stallions. Baltimore played for just two seasons in the CFL (1994 and 1995). They appeared in the Grey Cup game both years, winning in 1995 by a score of 37-20 over the Calgary Stampeders. #cfl

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