CFL NICK NAMES (ver. 5.1)

[Jon LeBlanc (PC 9-1-1)]

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CFL NICK NAMES ver 5.1 (c)1996 JON LEBLANC

Contents
========

[1] Abbreviations and Notes

[2] Teams

[3] Individual Players

[4] Formations of Players

[5] Fans

[6] Real Names

[7] Games and Plays

[8] Grey Cup Week

[9] Stadia

[10] Cheers and Chants

[11] Miscellany

[12] List & Copyright Information

==============================================

[1] Abbreviations and Notes
===========================

+ symbol indicates new or updated information for this version.
? symbol indicates more information required.

CFL Canadian Football League

BC British Columbia Lions
Cal. Calgary Stampeders
Edm. Edmonton Eskimos
Ham. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Mtl. Montreal Alouettes
Ott. Ottawa Rough Riders
Sask. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Tor. Toronto Argonauts
Win. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

SB Slotback

==============================================

[2] Teams
=========

Professional and Senior teams historically linked to the
Canadian Football League over the past 127 years:

Franchise Nickname(s) Year Started
========= =========== ============

Atlantic Schooners - Franchise granted to Halifax area in 1970s.
Never organized due to lack of stadium.
Baltimore Football Club - "Colts" 1994-95
Baltimore Stallions - 1995 (Moved to Montreal 1996)
British Columbia Lions - "Leos" 1954 on.
Birmingham Barracudas - "Cudas" 1995
Calgary Altomahs - "Indians" 1930-35
Calgary Bronks - 1935-45
Calgary Caledonian Club - 1909
Calgary Canucks - 1915-20 (then reverted to Tigers)
Calgary City Rugby Football Club - 1906
Calgary 50th Battalion - 1924-30
Calgary Football Club - 1891
Calgary Stampeders - "Stamps" 1945 on.
Calgary Tigers - 1911-15, 1921-23
Edmonton Elks - 1920s
Edmonton Esquimaux - 1908-1910
Edmonton Eskimos - "Eskies" "Double-E" 1910-22, 37-39, 49 on.
Edmonton Football Club - 1890
Hamilton Alerts - (merged with Tigers, 1914)
Hamilton Flying Wildcats - 1942-45 (wartime combined services team,
then dropped Flying from name)
Hamilton Foot Ball Club - 1869
Hamilton Rowing Club - 1911-15
Hamilton 13th Battalion - 1869
Hamilton Tiger-Cats - "Cats," "Tabbies" 1950 on.
Hamilton Tigers - 1888-1950 (became Tiger-Cats post-merger)
Hamilton Wildcats - 1945-50 (became Tiger-Cats post-merger)
Kingston Granites - 1900-07
Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen - 1940s-50s
Lachine R.C.A.F. - 1940s (wartime Air Force team)
Las Vegas Posse - 1994 (folded 1995, players dispersed)
Memphis Mad Dogs - 1995 (folded after one season)
Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers - 1920s-36
Montreal Alouettes I - "Als," "Larks" (became Concorde) 1946-82
Montreal Alouettes II - 1986-87 (folded, players dispersed)
Montreal Alouettes III - 1996 on. (were the Baltimore Stallions)
Montreal Bulldogs - 1941-45 (became Hornets)
Montreal Concorde - "Concs." 1982-86 (reverted to Alouettes)
Montreal Cubs - 1938-39 (became Royals)
Montreal Foot Ball Club - 1868
Montreal Hornets - 1945-46 (became Alouettes)
Montreal Indians - 1936-38 (became Cubs)
Montreal Royals - 1939-41 (became Bulldogs)
Moose Jaw Maroons - 1920s
Moose Jaw Millers - 1930s
Moose Jaw Tigers - 1911-20s
New Westminster Royals - 1930s
Ottawa Football Club - 1876
Ottawa Insurgents - 1912 (Riders protest team never played a game)
Ottawa R.C.A.F. Uplands - 1940s (wartime Air Force team)
Ottawa Rough Riders I - 1867
Ottawa Rough Riders II- "Red Riders" "Black Riders"
1907-1925, then 1927-96
Ottawa Senators I - 1867
Ottawa Senators II- 1925-27 (Riders switched to this for 2 seasons)
Ottawa St. Pats - 1876-1907 (joined Rough Riders)
Ottawa Trojans - 1940s
Regina Capitals - 1920s
Regina Navy - 1940s (wartime Navy team...in Regina?! Yes!)
Regina R.C.M.P. - 1890-1900? (team made up of Mounties)
Regina All Services - 1940s (wartime combined services team)
Regina Roughriders - 1924 (became Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1948)
Regina Rowing Club - 1910 (became Regina Roughriders, 1924)
Regina Vics - 1920s
Sacramento Gold Miners - 1993-94 (moved to San Antonio, 1995)
San Antonio Texans I - 1993 (Franchise granted but never organized)
San Antonio Texans II - (nee Sacramento Gold Miners) 1995
Sarnia Imperials - 1927-50s
Saskatchewan Roughriders - "Jolly Green Giants," "Stubble
Jumpers," "Grasshoppers," "Mean
Green Machine," "Canada's Team"
"Green Riders." 1948 on.
Saskatoon Hilltops - 1930s-40s (later became junior team)
Saskatoon Quakers - 1912-30s
Shreveport Pirates - "Bucs" 1994-95
St. Hyacinthe Donnacona - 1944 (wartime Navy team)
Toronto Amateur Athletic Club - 1906-15
Toronto Argonauts - "Argos," "Boatmen," "Double Blue,"
"Scullers" 1873 on.
Toronto Balmy Beach - 1924-40s
Toronto Orphans - 1926-32 (yes that's right, Orphans!)
Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club - 1900s-30s
Toronto R.C.A.F. Hurricanes - 1940s (wartime Air Force team)
Toronto Rowing Club - 1880's-20s
Winnipeg Blue Bombers - "Big Blue," "Blue & Gold" 1936 on.
Winnipeg 'Pegs - 1930-36 (became Blue Bombers)
Winnipeg R.C.A.F. Bombers - (wartime Royal Canadian Air Force team)
Winnipeg Rowing Club - 1880-1930
Winnipeg Rugby Football Club - 1930 (became 'Pegs)
Winnipeg Tammany Tigers - 1920s
Winnipeg Victorias - 1920s
Vancouver Athletic Club - 1920s-30s
Vancouver Grizzlies - 1941-51
Vancouver Meralomas - 1920s-30s (later became junior team)
= =

[From Steve "Scooter" Kramer:]
Baltimore actually had four team names in it's short CFL
existence. An early fan contest selected the name "Colts," which
has been associated with Baltimore football for five decades.
Back in 1983, upon first being informed by a TV crew that the NFL
Colts had suddenly moved to Indianapolis, then-Mayor William
Donald Schaefer immediately remarked, "Well... I suppose he (team
owner Robert Irsay) can do what he wants, but he shouldn't take
our name." The new CFL franchise began as the "Baltimore CFL
Colts" (owner Jim Speros added the "CFL" and bought the
"Baltimore Colts" trademark, expecting to avoid a lawsuit) until
the NFL obtained an injunction prohibiting its use. Speros simply
dropped the "Colts" part, leaving them as the "Baltimore CFL"
(often mistakenly called the CFLs or the CFLers). In the
off-season, a second contest again yielded the name "Colts," with
a majority of fans indicating that they'd rather the team had no
name than play without the "Colts" name. Instead, the "CFL" part
was dropped entirely and the team now was known as the "Baltimore
Football Club," or "BFC" for short. However, Speros decided that
he didn't appreciate his team being called the "No-Names" in the
Canadian press, so he selected the name "Stallions" during the
pre-season and unveiled it after the season opener against B.C.
(the only game played as the "Baltimore Football Club.") The team
mascot, however, was still known as "The Horse With No Name."

==============================================

[3] Individual Players
======================

(Alphabetically organized)

Name Team(s) Position Decade(s)
==== ======= ======== =========

(A)
L."Hick" Abbott - Sask. Coach 1915
+ David "Steaky" Adams Cal 46-48
Joe "747" Adams - Sask. QB 80s
Joe "The Toe" Aguirre - Sask. PK 50s
Roger "Ironman" Aldag - Sask. OL 70s-90s grain farmer now
Eric "The Flea" Allen - Tor. CB 80s
+ "Pokey" Allen" - B.C. 65-67
Ezzart "Sugarfoot" Anderson - Cal. RB 40s-50s
Kent "The Colonel" Austin - Sask., Ott., BC, Tor., Win. QB now

(B)
"Ace" Bailey - Cal. 40s
Bill "The Undertaker" Baker - Sask. DL 60s-70s,
League Commissioner 90s
Keith "Shake 'N" Baker - Mtl., Ham. WR 70s-80s
Terry "The Blooper Maker" Baker - Sask., Ott., Mtl. PU now
Harold "Pal Hal" Ballard - Ham. Owner 70s-80s
Ray "Bibbles" Bawel - Ham. RB? 50s
"Nub" Beamer - BC RB 60s
Lorne "Boom Boom" Benson - Win. RB 50s
+ "Bunny" Boxer - Wpg 30
Michel "Odie" Bourgault - Edm. DL now
"Jarrin'" Johnny Bright - Cgy-Edm RB 50s
Leon "Neon" Bright - Tor. RB 80s
Clyde "The Rock" Brock - Sask. DL 60s-70s
Dieter "Deet The Treat," "Deiter Our Leader, The Stampeder
Beater," "Don't Call Me Ralph" Brock - Win., Ham.
QB 70s-80s, Coach Ham., Ott. 90s
"Downtown" Eddie Brown - Cal., Ott., Edm., Mem., Edm. WR now
Gordon "Porky" Brown - Cal. 50s
Lester "Rubber Duck" Brown - RB Sask., Mtl. 80s
+ "Scotty" Brown - Edm 22

(C)
Hugh "Granny Grunt," "Gluey Hughie" Campbell -
Sask. SB 60s-70s, Edm. GM now
"Jersey" Jack Campbell - Regina QB 20s
Jerry "Soupy" Campbell - Cal., Ott. LB 60s
Mike "Crush" Campbell - Tor., Ham. DL now
Sheldon "Shellrock" Canley - Bal. RB 90s
Frank "The Professor" Clair - Ott. Head Coach 50s-60s
Mike "Pinball" Clemons - Tor. RB now
Howard "High Pockets" Cleveland - Sask. 30s
Mac "The Knife" Cody - Ham. SB now
Lionel "The Big Train" Conacher - Tor. RB/LB 40s
Bruce "The Big Tuna" Covernton - Cal. OL now
Ernie "The Iron Fireman" Cox - Ham 20s
Nat "Crash" Craddock - Mtl. 70s
Derek "The Stealth" Crawford - Cal., B'ham WR 90s
"Bitsy" Billy Cross - Tor RB/WR 50s
Shannon "Skinny" Culver - Bal. WR now
Jimmy "The Jet" Cunningham - Tor now
Ulysses "Crazy Legs" Curtis - Tor. RB 50s

(D)
Herman S. "Eagle" Day - Cal., Win. QB, 50s-60s
Steve "Stick" Dennis - Sask., Ott., Tor. CB 70s-80s
+ "Curly" Dorman - Edm 22

(E)
Michael "Emergency" Elarms, Sask. WR, mid 80s
Ray "Harley" Elgaard - Sask. SB 80s-90s
James "Duke" Ellingson - Sask., Ott. SB now
Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry - Mtl. QB 50s-60s
Jim "The Portland Pig" Evenson - B.C. FB 70s

(F)
"Papa" Joe Faragelli - Sask., Mtl., Edm. Head Coach 80s-90s
"Cap" Fear - Tor., Ham. Tigers RB 20s
Gil "The Thrill" Fenerty - Tor. RB 80s-90s
Dave "Dr. Death" Fennell - Edm. DL 70s-80s
"Swervin'" Mervyn Fernandez - BC WR 80s-90s
Matt "The Fin Dog" Finlay - Cal. LB 80s-90s

(G)
Tony "Double Trouble" Gabriel - Ott., Ham. TE 70s-80s
CFLPA President 80s
"Doc" Galvin - Ott. Coach 1912
Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist - Sask., Tor., Ham. RB,PK 50s-60s
Gordon "Gobbo" Gilkes - Cal. 40s
Jim "Pappy" Gilstrap - Coach Sask., Win., 80s-90s Head Coach Ott. 90s
Tony "Golden Boy" Golab - Ott. HB 30s-50s; Mtl. GM 60s
Harry "Bud" Grant - Win. WR 50s; Head Coach 60s
"Slammin'" Sammy Green, BC, Sask. RB, 80s
John "Barney Rubble" Gregory - Coach Win. 80s,
Head Coach Sask., Ham. 80s-90s

(H)
Richie "Pint" Hall - Cal., Sask. DB, Coach, 80s-90s
Fritz "Twinkletoes" "The Golden Ghost" Hansen - Win., Cal. 30s-40s
Ed "Hercules" Harrington - Tor DE 70s
M.L. "The Human Hammer" Harris - Ham-Tor SB/TE 70s
+ "Slush" Harris - Wpg 35
Wayne "Thumper" Harris - Cal. LB 60s-70s oil company exec. now
Herm "Ham Hands" Harrison - Cal. TE 60s-70s sales exec. now
Scott "Pooch" Hendrickson - Sask. OG now
"Mini" Mack Herron - Win. RB 70s
Elroy "Buckets" Hirsch - Tor. OL 50s-60s
Pat "Baby Hughie" Holmes - Cgy DE 60s
Dave "Over The Top" Hoppmann - Mtl. 70s
Bobby "One Punch" Hosea - Sask. DB, 80s, movie actor played O.J.
Carlos "Iceman" Huerta - L.V., Bal. PK
Malvin "Big Game" Hunter - Edm. DL now
Bob "Hoss" Houmard - Win-Ott RB 70s
Jim "Shakey" Hunt - veteran Canadian sports broadcaster

(I)
Hank "The Shank" Ilesic - Edm., Tor., Ham. PU 80s-90s
Raghib "The Rocket" Ismael - Tor. WR 90s
Frank "Pop" Ivy - Edm. Head Coach 50s

(J)
"Indian" Jack Jacobs - Win. QB 50s
Eddie "Dynamite" James - Win-Reg 20s, 30s
Billy "White Shoes" Johnston - Mtl. WR 80s
Rick "Hollywood" Johnston - Cal. QB 80s movie actor now
Ed "Too Small" Jones - Edm. DB 70s-80s
Edgar "Special Delivery" Jones - Ham. RB/PK 40s-50s
Tom "The Emperor" Jones - Ott. OL 50s-60s
Warren "The Judge" Jones - Edm., Win., Sask. QB 80s-90s
Bobby "Banzai" Jurasin - Sask. DL now

(K)
Jerry "The Reluctant Quarterback" Keeling
- Ott., Cal. QB/DB 60s-70s, Ott. coach 90s
Brian "Howdy Doody" Kelly - Edm. WR 80s-90s car dealer now
"Brownie" Krochak - Wpg 45
Joe "King" Krol - Tor. QB/RB 30s-50s
Lary "Coach Q" Kuharich - Cal., BC Head Coach 80s-90s
Normie "The China Clipper" Kwong - Cal., Edm. RB 40s-60s,
Cal. GM 80s-90s
businessman now

(L)
Ron "The Little General" Lancaster - Ott. & Sask. QB 60s-80s,
Head Coach Sask. 80s,
Commentator CBC TV 80s-90s,
Head Coach Edm. now
Doug "Tank" Landry - Cal., BC, Tor. LB 80s-90s
+ "Admiral" Dewey Larry - Ott DB 84
Ron "Pepe" Latourelle - Win. DB 50s, 60s
Smirle "Big Train" Lawson - Tor. 1909-10
R.R. "Pep" Leadlay - Ham. RB-K 20s[?]
Les "King" Lear - Cal. Head Coach 40s-50s
"Prince" Hal Ledyard - Win. QB 50s-60s
Leo "The Lincoln Locomotive" Lewis - Win. HB 60s
Granville "Granny" Liggins - Cal., Tor. OL 60s-70s
Peter "Golden Arm" Liske - Cal. QB 60s-70s
+ "Nubber" Lobrinski - Wpg 35-37
+ "Tiny" Lucid - Wpg 37-48
Earl "Earthquake" Lunsford - Cal., RB 50s-60s, Win. GM 70s
Don "Fuzzy" Luzzi - Cal. OL 60s owns food business now

(M)
John "Tweet" Martin - Mem. RB now
"Tricky" Ricky Martin - Ham RB, 80s
+ "Red" McColl - Edm 22
Sylvester "Molly" McGee - Sask. RB 70s
Donnie "Quick Draw" McGraw - Tor. RB 70s
Don "Shanty" McKenzie - Tor. DB 50s
Mark "Bulldog" McLoughlin - Cal. PK now
Leon "X-Ray" McQuay - Tor.,Cal. RB 70s
Steve "Magic Mushroom" Molnar - Sask. RB 70s
Angelo "King Kong" Mosca - DL Ham. 60s-70s

(O)
Ray "The Blade" Odums - Cal., Sask. DB 70s-80s
Hugh "Instant Touchdown" Oldham - Ott. WR 70s
John "Red" O'Quinn - Mtl. WR 50s
David "Fumblestreet" "Overpaid" Overstreet - Mtl. WR 70s

(P)
Joe "The Throwin' Samoan" Paopao - BC QB 80s, Edm., BC Coach now
Vito "Babe" Parilli - Ott. QB 60s
Jackie "Spaghetti Legs" Parker - Edm. RB, DB 50s-60s,
Edm. Head Coach 90s
James "Quick" Parker - BC, Edm., Tor. DL 80s-90s, UBC Coach now
"Prince" Hal "Mr. Wonderful" Patterson - Mtl., Ham. QB 50s-60s
Elfrid "SWAC" Payton - Bal., Mtl. DL now
Lester B. "Mike" Pearson - Tor. Orphans Player/Coach 20s-30s
Nobel Peace Prize winner 50s
Prime Minister of Canada 60s
Renso "Rock" Perdoni - Ham., Edm. DE 70s
Norm "The Galloping Ghost" Perry - Sarnia RB 20s
Al "The Fordham Flash" Pfeifer - Tor WR/RB 50s
Willie "The Terminator" Pless - Tor., Edm. LB now
Bob "Polecat" Poley - Cal., Sask. OL 80s-90s
Marvin "Big Daddy" Pope - Cal. LB 90s
Hector "Smith Bros." Pothier - Edm. OL 70s-80s

(Q)
S.P. "Silver" Quilty - Ott. Head Coach 20s

(R)
Moe "The Toe" Racine - Ott. PK/OT 50s-70s
"Tiny" Radar - B.C. Management 50s
Tommy "The Hat" Reamon - Sask. RB 70s
Russ "The Wisconsin Wraith" Rebholz - Win. QB 30s
Roger "The Melville Missile" Reinson - Cal. LB now
Dave "Robo-kicker" Ridgeway - Mtl., Sask. PK 80s-90s
Gene "Choo Choo" Roberts - Ott. HB 50s
Larry "Chrome Dome" Robinson - Cal. PK 60s-70s
Paul "Mad Dog" Robson - Win. RB 60s, GM 70s-80s,
Ott. GM 80s
Johnnie "The Ordinary Superstar" Rodgers - Mtl. RB 70s
Franklin "Pepper" Rogers - Mem. Head Coach 90s
Ed "Tornado" Rorvig - Cal. 30s
Tim "Big Cat" Roth - Sask. DL 70s
Bernd (Bernie) "Beans" Ruoff - Wpg, Ham. PK 70s-80s

(S)
Mike "Junior" Samples - Sask. DL 80s
Dave "Sponge" Sapunjis - Cal. SB now
James "Sawblade" Sawyer - SA DT 90s
Blaine "Bundy" Schmidt - Tor., Ham. OT 90s
+ "Blossom" Seeley - Edm 21-22
Demetrius "Pee Wee" Smith - Cal. WR now
Harry "Black Jack" Smith - Sask. Head Coach 50s
Hugh "Bummer" Stirling - Sarnia 30s
Buster "Red" Storey - Tor. RB 30s, CRFU and NHL ref 40s-60s
Carl "Poochie" Stringfellow - Ott. (?)
Glen "Pup" Suitor - Sask. DB 80s-90s TSN Commentator now
Annis "The Locquacious Lithuanian" Stukus - Tor. Coach 40s
B.C. Coach/GM 50s, CTV Announcer 60s
Don "Sudsy" Sutherin - Ott., Ham. DB/PK 60s, Coach Mtl., Edm.,
Cal. 70s-90s, Head Coach Ham. now

(T)
N.J. "Piffles" Taylor - Regina player/coach 1915-20s, WIFU
president 40s (Taylor Field in Regina
named after him)
Joe "The Throw" Theismann - QB Tor. 71-73
Jim "Long Gone" Thomas - Edm. RB 70s
Benny "The Hitman" Thompson - Win. CB 80s
+ "Tiny" Thompson - Wpg 43
Dick "Tricky Dicky" Thornton - Tor. DB 70s
Ulysses "Junior," "The Thurminator" Thurman - Cal., B'ham CB 90s
Robert "Buddy" Tinsley - Win. ? 50s
Jim "Jiminy Cricket" Tomlin - Tor DB 70s
Tom "The Bomb" Tracy - Ott. FB 50s
Frank "Trigger" Tripuka - Sask., Ott. QB 50s-60s
Howie "Twinkle Toes" Turner - Ott. HB 40s-50s

(V)
Bob "Coach V" "Coach Ves" Vespaziani - Cal. Head coach 80s,
BC coach 90s, Cal. now

(W)
"Bunny" Wadsworth - Ott. LB 30s
Alvin "Skip" Walker - Mtl. RB 80s
D.C. "Peahead" Walker - Mtl. Head Coach 50s
Don "Knobby" Walsh - Sask. DL 50s
Glenn "Fuzzy" Weir - Mtl. 70s-80s
James "Wild" West - Cal., Win. LB 80s-90s
+ "Toots" Wiggins - Wpg 32
Brett "The Toaster" Williams - Mtl., BC, Edm. DL 80s-90s
Henry "Gizmo" Williams - Edm. WR now
Larry "Slick" Willis - Cal., BC, Edm., Win. WR 80s-90s
Walter "The Franchise" Wilson - Bal., Mem., Sask. WR now
Earl "The Pearl" "The Whirl" Winfield - Ham. WR now
Norbert "Knobby" Wirkowski - Cal., Tor. QB 50s
Tor. Head Coach 60s
Lyall "The Woztusi" Wosnesensky - Sask., Cal. DL 80s
Steve "Woo-Woo" Worster RB Ham 71[?]

(Y)
Jim "Dirty Thirty" Young - BC SB 60s-70s,
BC coach, management 90's

(Z)
Ben "The Cookie Monster" Zambiasi - Ham. LB 80s

==============================================

[4] Formations Of Players
=========================

"Alberta Crude" - Great Eskimo D-Line of the late 70's, early
80's, which featured such players as Ron Estay, Dave Fennell,
and York Henschel.
= =

"The Book Ends" - 1990s Winnipeg Offensive Line members Miles
Gorrell and Chris Walby (both All-Canadians.)
= =

"Capital Punishment" - Tough Ottawa D-Line of the mid 70's.
Among others, it featured Rudy Sims and Wayne Smith.
= =

"The Gang Green" - Vaunted Saskatchewan D-Line of the late
80's, with such players as Vince Goldsmith, Bobby Jurasin,
Gary Lewis, James Curry, and Chuck Klingbeil.
= =

"The Gold Dust Twins" - The All Star toss-and-catch tandem
of Royal Copeland and Joe "King" Krol of the late 1940's Toronto
Argonauts. The key to the "Twins" success was that they would
exchange positions throughout a game, at will. An opposing
defence would just begin to handle them, then the "Twins" would
switch themselves from QB to RB and vice-versa!

[From Scott Rixon:]
Here is Joe "King" Krol's Hall Of Fame entry, quoted below
from the CFL Facts, Figures & Records Guide, along with
Royal Copeland's entry:

"Joe Krol: Elected to the H.O.F. as a player, November 27,
1963. He was one of Canada's greatest players in a career
which went from 1932 to 1953 (All Star in 1945,46,47,48).
`Joe "King" Krol to Royal Copeland' became a well known
one-two punch often referred to as the `Gold Dust Twins.'
Krol, a precision pivot, starred in high school and university
ball. He joined the Argos in 1945 and played there on five
Grey Cup winners, to go along with one in 1943 with Hamilton."

[Jon's note:]
There are only 7 players in the history of Canadian football who
have scored a rouge (single), a convert, a field goal, and a
touchdown all in one game. Joe Krol performed this feat twice.

[Scott Rixon cont.:]
"Royal Copeland: Elected to the H.O.F. as a player, March 5,
1988, he played from 1944-56. He and Joe Krol were known as the
`Gold Dust Twins' during their days with the Argos. An Eastern
All-Star running back in 1945,46,47 and 49, and Jeff Russel
Memorial Trophy winner in 1949, he was the only player to
score a touchdown in 3 consecutive Grey Cup games."
= =

"J.J. Barnagel" - nickname of the two-man quarterbacking combination
of Joe Barnes and John Hufnagel used by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
in 1980 and 1981.

[From Keith Willoughby:]
After a disastrous 2-14 1979 season, the 'Riders felt that a
change was needed at the QB position so former Stampeder John
Hufnagel and Alouette Joe Barnes were brought in. Although the
team finished 2-14 again in 1980, there were definite signs that
they were on the verge of something impressive. In 1981, the
unthinkable happened: Saskatchewan began to win football games!
Coach "Papa" Joe Faragalli made effective use of this 1-2 QB
punch. More often than not, Barnes would start a game, then if
the 'Riders began to falter, in came Hufnagel, the "relief
pitcher." Soon, opposing teams had difficulty preparing for
'Rider games. Should they set up for the fleet-footed Barnes, or
the sly but slower veteran Hufnagel? With the 'Riders increasing
success, it was not long before some wag had mixed their names
together and dubbed the QB tandem "J.J. Barnagle." When the
'Rider offense was announced at Taylor Field, it was not uncommon
for both Barnes and Hufnagel to run on to the field together as
the P.A. announcer shouted "Today's starting QB... J.J.
Barnagel!" Despite that season's winning record, the team soon
faced an ultimate test. The final game of the 1981 season was
against the BC Lions, who were also 9-6, in Vancouver. The winner
of the Empire Stadium game would advance to the playoffs; the
loser to "next-year" country. Heavy rains affected playing
conditions, keeping scoring low. With Saskatchewan up 5-4 late in
the fourth quarter, a 'Rider fumble deep in their own end quickly
led to a Lions TD. From this, the Leos went on to win 13-5,
meaning that the 'Riders had missed the playoffs with a 9-7
record while the Montreal Alouettes of the "Leastern" Division
got in with a 3-13 mark! Prior to the next season, the 'Riders
felt that they could be successful with only one veteran
quarterback so they dealt Barnes to Toronto. With Hufnagel and
rookie QB Joe "747" Adams, the 'Riders just could not re-claim
the magic of 1981. Their record fell to 6-9-1. Post-script...
"J.J. Barnagel" continues to frustrate opposing CFL defenses. Joe
Barnes was the Offensive Coordinator with the former Shreveport
Pirates, while John Hufnagel is the Offensive Coordinator with
the Calgary Stampeders.
= =

"The London Thundering Herd" - Fictional team of CFL cast-offs
in London, Ontario, concocted for fun by a radio station.

[From John Joch:]
This was an "all-star/no-star" fantasy team made up by the
CHML Radio (Hamilton) broadcast crew in the 1980's around the
end of each pre-season or the beginning of the regular season.
It was made up of veteran players who had recently been cut
by their teams, and usually turned into a pretty good roster!

==============================================

[5] Fan Nicknames
=================

Len "The Big Wheel" Burrier - Len is the Baltimore fan who lead
cheers from the sidelines at Stallions games by spelling the
letters of the team's name with his robust body. He began his
cheerleading in 1975 at the original Colts' games, patterning
his cheers after an Orioles baseball fan's routine.

[From Steve "Scooter" Kramer:]
The Orioles fan who first invented the idea of spelling out
the team name was "Wild Bill" Hagy, a Baltimore taxi driver
who hung out with a collection of orange-and-black-towel-waving
crazies in Section 34, Upper Deck, at Memorial Stadium. Wild
Bill would head down to the dugout roof between certain innings
and do his thing! The Big Wheel, who I believe was given his
nickname by sportscaster Ted Patterson, came up with the same
thing for Colts' games.

[1995 Update from Steve:]
The Big Wheel now spells out S-T-A-L-L-I-O-N-S with his arms
and legs. He then leaves the field, goes into the stands and
(since he's no longer representing the team) spells out C-O-L-T-S
there. Len now has an assistant, Hub Cap.

[From Gregg Diethorn:]

I recently spoke with Len "Big Wheel" Burrier, who confirms
that he was spelling C-O-L-T-S before that Taxi Driver was
spelling O-R-I-O-L-E-S.
= =

George "Crazy George" Henderson - George is the balding, drum-
beating maniac in the Lions jersey who roams BC Place. He began
his madcap antics as a Lions fan in the 70's, and went on to guest
at home games of such sports teams as the Oakland A's, Seattle
Seahawks, Seattle Mariners and Vancouver Canucks. George should
now be considered a "fan for hire," as he charges for appearances.
Hint: if you are in BC Place and George approaches with his drum,
plug your ears! He is a one man riot!
= =

Sandy "The Flame" Monteith - This is the Saskatchewan fan who
was known for wearing an exploding pyrotechnic helmet, green &
white face paint, green fright wig, cape, Riders' uniform, and
wailing siren, until the fire department shut him down.

[From Robin Griller:]
Gotta love that guy! When I was a kid, I always went to the
Bombers-Riders game around Labour Day. One year, all the Riders
fans were there in green and the guy with the rocket on his head
was there with them. The Bombers were kicking butt, but that
didn't stop "The Flame" when his team scored. He blew the rocket
off of the top of his head, as usual, except that this time he
had too strong a charge! You should have seen him stagger! That
was it for him for the day, even though the Riders did score
more.

[Jon's note:]
Sandy "The Flame" Monteith was seen on national television at the
1995 Grey Cup in Regina dressed in his full regalia, complete with
exploding helmet. He did not ignite it on television.
= =

"Loyal Disorder of Rider Priders"
[From Mark Cote:]
This nickname for Saskatchewan Roughrider fans was coined by
a former sports editor of the Regina Leader Post newspaper, Bob
Hughes, to describe the remaining devout fans during the dark
years of the late 1970s through early 1980s.
= =

Paul "Pigskin Pete" Weiler - The Hamilton fan with the bowler hat,
raccoon skin coat, black & gold striped shirt, and big smile, who
leads the "Oskee Wee Wee's" from the sidelines at Cats home games.

[From Tim Pow:]
Pigskin is truly a super guy, and I have a story that I can post
to give everyone some insight into the man. After a Cats game (I
believe against Sask.) some friends and I were walking to
my car when we stopped at a local store for some refreshments.
Could you guess who pulled up at the gas pumps? You got it:
Pigskin Pete! Needless to say, I couldn't let the opportunity
pass by without a comment from the old "Pigger," so I asked him
how he got involved with the team, and how many games he has
attended. Astonishingly, he has been to all but one since 1972!
He responded that he had a conflict with Hamilton management and
had boycotted the game in protest. The Cats wouldn't give his
wife a free season ticket. His argument was that if the stadium
had been full for every game then he would gladly pay for one,
but since he does all the charity work, community work and
publicity for free, he felt that a season ticket for her would
be fair compensation. The "Pigger" said that it was one of the
toughest days of his life, not being there. Needless to say, we
are all glad that the problem was ironed out, and "Pigskin Pete"
has been a fixture at Ivor Wynne Stadium ever since.
= =

Phil "The Bleacher Creature" Tufnell - Phil was unquestionably
the Stampeders #1 fan during the 1989-95 seasons and was famous
for wearing a red & white fright wig, red & white face paint, a
Stamps uniform with red & white streamers from his boots, and
red & white 60's retro-look sunglasses. He had a running stallion
shaved into each side of his haircut, like a Stamps helmet. Phil
first caught on with the Stamps as a cameraman at practices, at
which a player dubbed him "The Bleacher Creature from Planet
Javex." From then on, he prowled the sidelines at McMahon Stadium
entertaining children and urging the fans on to root for the team.
In 1993, Phil was taken critically ill with complications from
diabetes and had his right leg amputated below the knee, then
his left leg near his foot. With the threat of losing both legs
entirely, the determined Phil fought back to regain some of his
health. His courage throughout his struggle earned him a special
place in the hearts of Calgarians. He never stopped taking part
in charity and publicity work, and never missed a game patrolling
the sidelines with his drum. Phil was a truly positive and
generous spirit. In May of 1995, though he was only 35 years of
age, complications from his infirmities claimed his life, and the
entire CFL lost one of its greatest fans. At his funeral were
almost all of the Stampeders who reside year-round in Calgary,
as well as the team's management. McMahon Stadium will never be
the same without "The Bleacher Creature." His picture is posted
on the World Wide Web at www.ucalgary.ca/~jcjlebla/stamps.html

==============================================

[6] Real Names
==============

With all respect, these players' given names have been just as
colourful as nicknames!

Margene Adkins - Ott. WR 60s
Junior Ah You - Mtl. DL 70s-80s
Zenon Andrusyshyn - Tor. PK 60s-70s
Tron Armstrong - Sask. WR 80s
Basil Bark - Cal. OL 70s-80s
Ephesians Bartley - SA LB
Val Belcher - Ott. OL 80s
James Bond - Cal. 70s
John Bonk - Wpg. OL 80s
Alex Bravo - Sask. WR 50s
Johnnie Bright - Cal., Edm. RB 50s
Tony Champion - Ham. WR 80s-90s
Royal Copeland - Tor., Cal. QB/RB 40s-50s
O.Kay Dalton - Mtl. Head Coach 60s
Moses Denson - Mt. RB 70s
Selwyn Drain - Tor. DB 90s
Septimus DuMoulin - Moose Jaw, Coach 1910
Duane Dmytryshyn - Cal. SB 90s
Roger Goree - Sask., Cal. LB 70s
Profail Grier - Ott. RB 90s
Fa'ave Fa'ave Jr. - BC tryout 90s
Farrell Funston - Win. WR 50s-60s
Lepoleum Ingram - Cal., Sask. DB 80s-90s
Moody Jackson - Ott., Cal. CB 70s
Deacon Jones - Cal. management 90s
Freeman Johns - Sask. (?) 70s
Eagle Keys - Sask. Head Coach 60s
+ Pete Ladygo - Ott. LB 55
+ Scotty Leaky - BC SB 86-89
+ Bob Light - Sask FB 63
+ Glen Lippman - Edm HB 54
+ Ronnie Loudd - BC END 56
+ Don Loney - Ott-Cal OL 47-54
+ Tom Louderback - Ham LB 55
+ Matthew Lovelady - Tor DE 84
+ Bill Lucky - Tor ? 56
Marv Luster - Tor. DB 60s
Leon Lyskiewicz - Sask., Win., Cal. DL 90s
+ Jason Mallett - Wpg S now
Alex Mash - Shr. LB 90s
+ Joe Mauldin - Ham QB 94 (often mis-prononced Maudlin)
Prince McJunkins III - Ott. QB 80s
+ Walt Mince - Sask HB 62
+ Tom Miner - Cal-Wpg End/K 54-56
+ Don Moen - Tor LB 82-94
Wonderful Monds II - Ott. (?) 70s
+ Donn Moonmaw - Tor ? 53
+ Warren Moon - Edm QB 78-83
Horace Morris - Ott. (?) 90s
+ Don Muse - Edm ? 75
+ Glen Music - Mtl DB 82
Bronko Nagurski Jr. - Ham. LB 60s son of U.S. football legend
+ Tom Neck - Ott ? 64
+ John Nee - LV OL 94
Ray Nettles - BC LB 70s
+ Joe Nicely - Mtl ? 58
+ Blake Nill - Mtl DL 83-86
+ Jack Nix - Sask End 51
+ Dean Noel - Ott-Ham HB now
+ Mike Nott - Sask-BC QB 77-80
+ Richard Nurse - Ham SB 90-95
Uzuma "Uzo" Okeke - Ott. now
Gerry Organ - Ott. PK 60s-70s
Reggie Pleasant - Tor. DB 80s-90s
Mel Proffet - Tor. TE 70s
Randy Rhino - Mtl. RB 70s-80s
James Rockford - Ham. DB 80s
Martin Sartin - Ham RB 80s
Lance Sheilds - Ham. DB 80s
Steve Smear - Mtl. 70s
Harry Sonshine - Tor. OL 30s, Coach 50s
Steve Stapler - Ham. WR 80s
Rev. Father Stanton - Ott. Coach 1913
Jim Stilwagon, Tor. DL 70s
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Strode - Cal. RB 40s-50s
movie actor 60s-70s ("Spartacus", westerns)
Julius Caesar "J.C." Watts - Ott., Tor. QB 70s-80s
U.S. Congressman now
Prince Wimbley III - LV, Sask. SB now
Lubo Zizakovic - Ham., Cal., Sask. DL
Szrecko Zizakovic - Cal. DL 90s

==============================================

[7] Games and Plays
===================

"The Argo Bounce" - Throughout their history, the Toronto
Argonauts have certainly benefited from a great deal of skill
and talent, yet have undeniably been exceptionally lucky with
bouncing footballs. It's difficult to really say whether other
teams have been any more or less lucky, but the legend of the
"Argo Bounce" has endured for decades and lives on to this day
everytime the Boatmen gather up a loose ball on a broken play
or if the ball bounces weirdly in their favour. More often than
not, it seems to!
= =

"The Battle of Alberta" - Each season, Calgary and Edmonton
fight for bragging rights over the best record in the province
in games between them. The label also applies to any playoff
game between them..
= =

"The Catch" - (Calgary Version) The last minute touchdown
catch by Pee Wee Smith to win the 1991 Western Final 38-36 over
Edmonton. QB Danny Barrett, with injured ribs wrapped tightly,
had led the Stamps into the final against their heavily favoured
northern rivals. Up until the third quarter, the game had taken
on all of the familiar attributes of a typical Eskimos romp over
the Red & White. It had been years since Calgary had last been
competitive or had even won a game at Commonwealth Stadium. By
the middle of the 4th quarter, the Stampeders had edged closer
and closer from a 16 point deficit to within 5 points. With only
1:29 left in the game, it was now or never for the trailing team.
Lined up at their own 35 yard line in the Six Pack offence, Barrett
took the ball back into the pocket, saw nobody open, scrambled
left and somehow eluded D-Lineman Brett "The Toaster" Williams, who
tried a diving one-arm strip but only made contact with Barrett's
feet, causing a slight stumble. The rapidly pursuing LB Benny Goods
then tried to tackle Barrett high from behind, which meant that
the QB, damaged ribs and all, held his balance with the Eskie on
his back, squirmed loose, then found room to squeeze along the left
sideline and eke out a first down. On the next play, with a bit
over a minute left, Barrett stepped back into the pocket and
looked left for seams in the Eskimo zone coverage, saw Pee Wee
Smith breaking open, waved him to a gap in behind DB Roy Bennett,
and lofted a long bomb on a post pattern, which Pee Wee caught on
his fingertips with arms fully extended. Smith ran the 30 yards
to the goal line flat out and was so ecstatic over his TD that
he ran straight through the end zone, over the running track, and
into the Stampeders dressing room! Coach Buono elected to go for
only a single rather than a 2 pointer, and Stamps fans despaired
that Tracey Ham might lead his team into FG range for a win. With
half a minute left on the clock, the Calgary defence rose to the
occasion and shut down the subsequent Eskimo drive, cementing the
victory and sending the Stampeders to the 1991 Grey Cup. A WAV
audio file of this play (and others) can be found on the World
Wide Web at: http://www.ucalgary.ca/~jcjlebla/stamps.html
= =

+ "The Catch" - (Hamilton Version) The last minute touchdown by
Tony Champion in the 1989 Grey Cup game, to tie the game at 40
with only 44 seconds left. Saskatchewan won the game, but the
catch, made in mid-air, backwards, upside-down, twisting and
turning, with cracked ribs, on a third down gamble, has to be
one of the greatest plays in Grey Cup history. (See "The Game")
= =

"The Catch" - (Ottawa Version) The last minute touchdown catch
by Tight End Tony Gabriel to win the 1976 Grey Cup 23-20 over the
heavily favoured Saskatchewan Roughriders. After Sask. had taken
a halftime lead of 17-10, they went into a defensive shell with
their only points coming from a FG to make it 20-10. In the final
quarter, Ottawa kicker Gerry Organ chipped two FGs to bring the
score to 20-16. With only 4:46 left, the dependable Gabriel, the
CFL's leading receiver that season, caught a 25 yard pass to
bring the ball to the Sask. 10 yard line. Art Green ran into a
wall on the next play, then Clements rolled right on a keeper
and fumbled as he was hit, though the referee had already blown
the ball dead and Ottawa kept possession! On the next play, a
third and inches goal-line QB keeper play, the defence made a
glorious stand and Sask. took over the ball with barely over two
minutes left. On the subsequent drive, QB Ron Lancaster could
have backtracked one step into the end zone and taken a 2 point
safety to make it 20-18, then kicked off from their 35. Instead,
the Green Riders felt that there was too much time left and were
wary of Ottawa's kicker having a stiff breeze behind him, so they
tried 2 plays, were stopped, then punted. Ottawa took over on the
Sask. 35 with only 44 seconds left to play. After a thwarted
running play, Clements threw a 10 yard toss to Gabriel, who took
a shot to the back of his neck which almost knocked him out.
Seeing stars, he returned to the huddle, unable to focus. Clements
ignored a play brought in and called a Gabriel play again. Tony
leapt off the line, dodged first past LB Roger Goree, then faked
a post pattern to Ted Provost. The Sask. DB bought it, and Gabriel
stepped outside to run under a perfect pass all alone in the end
zone. After the kickoff, Sask. were unable to use the remaining
few seconds, and Ottawa had come from behind to win the Grey Cup!
Their tight end was justifiably named the Player of the Game.
= =

"The Flying Wedge" - This ground rushing formation is said to
have been the reason for the formal adoption of the forward
pass in 1931 in Canada. Since teams previously had to rely on
hand-offs, laterals or rearward pitch-outs for yardage, as in
rugby, players and management became increasingly concerned
over what were becoming dangerous ball control scrums in an
era when the use of pads and helmets was not prevalent. The
Flying Wedge was the most brutal of such plays, in which a
team took the snap on the run, with pulling guards, ends,
and backfielders throwing themselves into the defence while
a tailback "threaded the needle."
= =

"The Fog Bowl" - On Dec. 1, 1962, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers met
the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the Grey Cup Final in Toronto. At game
time, the temperature was well above normal (11C-52F) so swirling
mists of fog began to roll in off of Lake Ontario. By the third
quarter, visibility was reduced to almost zero. An emergency
meeting of the CFL executive decided, at 9:29 of the fourth
quarter with the Bombers leading 28-27, to postpone the game
until the next day. On Sunday, Dec.2, the game resumed precisely
where it left off. No further points were scored, and the Bombers
carried home the 1962 Grey Cup.
= =

"The Game" - The 1989 Grey Cup Championship game between the
Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at the SkyDome
in Toronto on November 26, 1989. Both teams played valiantly up
to the very last seconds, with a see-saw points battle providing
gripping entertainment. It was a pity that one team had to lose.
Most agree that this was the finest Grey Cup match ever played.

[From Keith Willoughby:]
Hamilton opened with two Paul Osbaldiston FG's. 'Rider P Terry
Baker added a single, then the Cats scored the first TD of the
game as QB Mike Kerrigan hit WR Tony Champion in the end zone.
Score at end of 1st quarter: Hamilton 13, Sask. 1. In the second
quarter, both offences were on fire. 'Rider QB "Colonel" Kent
Austin hit SB Ray Elgaard in the end zone and they trailed 13-8.
(Note: Sask. did not try a running play in the second quarter!)
Hamilton replied with a 1-yard TD run by RB Derrick McAdoo.
Saskatchewan answered immediately on the next play from
scrimmage as Austin hit SB Jeff Fairholm on a 75-yard pass
(Fairholm made a miraculous catch while being interfered with.)
Hamilton responded with another drive. This time, Kerrigan read
the 'Rider blitz and hit McAdoo on a 30-yard pass over the middle
to make the score 27-15 Hamilton. Saskatchewan capped the half
with a 5-yard TD pass from Austin to WR Don Narcisse. The first
half (whew!) ended with The Tabbies in front 27-22. Saskatchewan
opened the third quarter with a FG by PK Dave Ridgway. Hamilton
responded with a FG of their own to go in front 30-25. 'Rider
P Terry Baker nailed a punt out of bounds at the Ti-Cat 3-yard
line, and the Cats could not move from there. They gave up a
safety touch when the snap to Osbaldiston was a little too high.
Now trailing 30-27, the 'Riders went ahead when RB Tim McCray
scored on a 1-yard run. The 3rd quarter ended with Sask. on top
34-30. Ridgway and Osbaldiston traded FG's to give Sask. a 37-33
lead. Then, with 2 minutes left in the game, Ridgway added
another and made the lead 40-33. Hamilton then marched the ball
downfield, and on 3rd down on the Sask. 7, Kerrigan hit Champion
in the end zone. Champion made, IMHO, the greatest catch in
football history (especially given the fact that he was playing
with broken ribs at the time!) Now tied at 40, Sask. RB Tim
McCray returned the ensuing kickoff to the 'Rider 35. 38 seconds
remained. Austin's first pass went incomplete and used up five
seconds. On second down, he found Elgaard all alone on the
sidelines for a 20-yard pickup. 26 seconds remained. Then, 'Rider
WR Mark "The Forgotten" Guy made an incredible catch at the
Ti-Cat 35, as he was simultaneously hit by 3 Hamilton defenders.
Only 20 seconds were left. On the next play, Austin scrambled,
eating up lots of precious time, and hit Guy on a short
out-pattern at the Ti-Cat 25. Just 9 seconds remained. Austin
backed up to the 28, then went down on one knee. The 'Riders
called a time-out with 7 seconds left. Ridgway then took to the
field, the ball was snapped, and he booted his 4th FG of the day.
With only 2 seconds remaining on the clock, Saskatchewan snuffed
out the kick return and won 43-40!

[From Taras Ciuriak:]
I was at SkyDome for "The Game." It was heaven and it was hell.
When Champion made that catch, I thought for sure that there
would be overtime. I never wanted the game to end, but once
Robo-Kicker came onto the field I knew that it was done. When it
was over, I was simply numb. I congratulated the 'Riders fans who
were around us, then my buddies and I drove back home to
Hamilton. Not a word was spoken in the car. It was the best
football game we'd ever seen.
= =

"The Labour Day Classic" - This label applies to both the annual
Ti-Cats / Argos tilt held on Labour Day Monday at Ivor Wynne
Stadium in Hamilton, and the Calgary / Edmonton matchup held on
the same day at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. Winnipeg and
Saskatchewan play their traditional matchup on the previous day.
Sellouts are common at all three games. Due to scheduling problems
caused by the dissolution of the Las Vegas Posse franchise, the
1995 version of the Tabbies / Argos matchup did not take place.
= =

"The Mud Bowl" - The Grey Cup final of 1950 went down in history
for its awful field conditions. The Toronto Argonauts faced the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers on a field which resembled a war zone, due to
poor removal of wet snow from the night before. Argos QB Al
Dekdebrun played with filed-down thumbtacks taped to his finger
tips, so that he would have grip on the pigskin. 27,000 fans saw
the Argos squirm through the muck for a 13-0 Grey Cup Championship
victory. The game is also noteworthy for the fact that the Bombers'
Bud Tinsley had been knocked out and fell face down in the ooze.
Unnoticed, he lay there while the play went on. Finally, referee
Hec Creighton glimpsed his inert body, jogged suspiciously over to
him, and rolled him over just in time to save his life! Subsequent
to the game, the Canadian Rugby Football Union purchased a
tarpaulin for future Grey Cups.
= =

The "Rouge" - This single-point play came into existence in 1890
when the Ontario Rugby Football Union abandoned the previous system
of scoring by "goals" and "tries" in favour of a points system and
the present day field size. By 1902, the ORFU had cemented the
major features of today's game: 12 men per side, 3 downs, lines of
scrimmage, and a scoring system of touchdowns, field goals, drop
kicks, safety touches, and "rouges." To score a rouge (worth 1
point), the kicking team had to prevent the defending team from
returning, back onto the field of play, a missed goal kick (of
either field goal, drop kick, or punt type) which was caught or
fielded within the end zone. Put simply, defenders had to get the
ball out of the end zone or give up a point. Under these rules, the
"goal line" was truly a goal-scoring line and the uprights were not
the only way of scoring from kicks. This was due to the fact that
size specifications for uprights were not standardized until
decades later, nor were hash marks. The rouge was meant to
encourage a continuous transition from defence to offence and vice
versa, with few "dead ball" interruptions in game action. Since the
point value of field goals varied over the years (sometimes worth
only 1, 2, or 3 points) the rouge was historically considered an
important point-scoring play in it's own right. In modern times
though, with the field goal value set at 3, with highly skilled
kickers, with shallower end zones and standardized uprights, with
the questionable American decision to have a "dead ball" after a
kick, and with a clear break in the action as teams switch from
defence to offence and vice versa, some have questioned the
continuing need for the rouge, arguing that it can be interpreted
as a "reward" for having missed a field goal. Countering this, CFL
purists maintain that a dying seconds runback or puntback out of
the end zone (to avoid giving up a single point during a close
scoring game) makes the rouge a uniquely thrilling and worthwhile
aspect of Canadian football. Ironically, and inexplicably,
Canadians have used the word "rouge" less and less over the past
thirty years in favour of the term "single," while Americans carry
on the original tradition!

[From Steve "Scooter" Kramer:]
Where most Canadians I've heard from insist on calling the rouge
a "single point" or a "single," Baltimoreans have learned it
simply as the "rouge." On kicks into the opposing team's end
zone, you'll hear the fans shout "ROOOOOUGE!"

[From Dave Roddick:]
There was a game in 1877 between Ottawa and Britannia Football
Clubs, which Britannia won "2 Trys and 3 Rouges to 1 Rouge." The
single-point may have been instituted in 1890, but the rouge
itself is quite a bit older.
= =

The "Single Wing" Offence - Strategic alignment of potential ball
carriers spread out to one side of the field to take advantage of
lateral passes as a means of ball advancement. This offence was
used up until the 1950s until supplanted by the T formation.

[From Michael Skeet:]
We must first differentiate between two types of lateral. One is
the running, repetitive "pitch-outs" you see in so many films of
the old "single wing" formation. The second is the obvious broken
play lateral used in urgent situations. Strategically, you could no
more institute the latter type of lateral as an offensive strategy
than you could build a passing game around the philosophy "run
around until you get open." But what of the single wing strategy?
It involved a lot of ball movement behind the line of scrimmage,
much of it by way of the lateral pass. It doesn't necessarily follow
that the single wing was an especially improvisatory formation, or
that players had more freedom and flexibility. In fact, the opposite
might have been true. The single wing only looks flexible because
there's a lot of movement once the ball is snapped. With anywhere
from three to five potential ball-handlers in the backfield, it's
fairly easy to disguise who's going to ultimately get the ball.
Lateral passing, as the play developed, was intended to mislead the
defence. However, it is important to remember that lateral passing
in the single wing was not improvised. Those plays were designed
to head in certain directions, aimed at specific holes and with
designated players assigned to catch the pitch-outs in sequence.
In actual use, the single wing was considered less flexible than
the T formation (a quarterback, halfback, and fullback) precisely
because the ball carrier had no choice as to the hole he was to
run through or player to pitch to. Further, the single wing requires
backs who are double or triple threats. The "Sutherland Single Wing"
(the final version of the formation) essentially had two tailbacks
(halfback and fullback lined up at the same depth), both of whom
had to be able to run, pass and catch the ball. By contrast, the T
formation allowed for specialization, which made it easier to fill
those backfield roles with specifically talented players, and Pro
teams started switching as soon as the rules changed to make it
possible. In Canada, I can't find a precise date for the CRU's
legalization of the forward pass from anywhere behind the line of
scrimmage. The first reference I can find to a "quarterback" in
Canada is 1938 (Annis Stukus of the Argos) but it's possible that
Gerry Seiberling (1929 Calgary Tigers) and/or Warren Stevens (1931
Montreal Winged Wheelers) were condsidered as such. By 1950 every
CFL team used some variation of the T formation rather than the
single wing. If there is a single main reason why the Single Wing
offence is not in use today, it is because the modern passing
game provides weapons that are more flexible and easier to use.
= =

"The Six Pack" Offence - 1991 Calgary offence in which receivers Pee
Wee Smith, Dave Sapunjis, Derek Crawford, Carl Bland, Allen Pitts,
and another receiver (any of: Marshall Toner, Kevin Simien, Shawn
Beals, etc.) would spread out wide to either side of QB Danny Barrett
along the line of scrimmage with no men left in the backfield. This
play is still in use by some teams.
= =

"The Sleeper Play" - Prior to the 1948 Grey Cup, reports of a
mysterious sneak play in use by Ottawa began to filter west to
Calgary. After Stamps Head Coach Les Lear had complained loudly and
frequently about it, the teams apparently felt that the surprise
was now lost, so that the play was now useless. Ottawa were 5:2
favourites, and had a measurably better team. With one minute left
in the first half, Lear pulled a double-cross. Stampeders wide
receiver Norm Hill lay flat on the ground in front of the team
bench, but still in play, while the rest of the offence huddled.
Everyone in the stadium saw this except for the Ottawa team! The
Stamps' quarterback lofted the ball wide just over the goal line
where Hill was hit by a defender while trying to catch it. The ball
was tipped straight up and landed in Hill's hands as he lay on his
back. The Stampeders went on to win 12-7 for their first Grey Cup
victory.

[From Dick Dinelle:]
The "Sleeper Play" was not officially outlawed until the early
60's when it was ruled that all players must attend the huddle
or be on the field of play prior to the snap. The reason I bring
this up is that I attended the 1960 Eastern Final in Toronto
between the hated Argos and my beloved Ottawa Rough Riders. This
was the second game of a two game total point affair that Toronto
took a 12 point lead into. Toronto, as usual, had already "won"
the Grey Cup before the season started on the strength of having
Tobin Rote, of NFL fame, as their QB. He also had a pretty good
cast with him (Cookie Gilchrist and Dave Mann to name a couple.)
Midway through the 4th quarter and still down by a few, the
Riders' Bobby Simpson decided to lie down by the Ottawa bench.
The rookie Ottawa QB Ron Lancaster didn't understand and was
yelling at him to get back in the huddle but was quickly muffled
by the other Riders who had caught on. Even the fans knew what
was happening and were yelling, but the Argos were too late to
pick it up. When the ball was snapped, Lancaster lobbed a perfect
spiral to an all-alone Simpson in the flat. Simpson was known for
his ability to get open or catch in a crowd, but not for his
blinding speed, so one of the faster Toronto DBs tracked him down
at the Argo 15. The play covered 60 yards and Ottawa soon scored
to lead for the first time, then held on to win the East Final.
They went on to defeat Edmonton for that year's Grey Cup.

==============================================

[8] Grey Cup Week
=================

[From Dave Kenney:]

We left for Hamilton's Grey Cup Week from Ashtabula County in NE
Ohio. Our goal was to make it to Hamilton in time for the
"Calgary Outdoor Breakfast". Of all the events scheduled for Grey
Cup Week, I wanted to go to that one because they were giving away
free food! The Breakfast was as advertised. People from Calgary
were giving away pieces of ham wrapped in a pancake, and we liked
it so much we went back for thirds. Also for entertainment, a lady
from Calgary told some sort of story that I didn't understand.

[Jon's Note:]

How "Grey Cup Week" Began:
=========================

I am guessing that she told them about the 1948 Calgary week-long
train ride to Toronto in which hundreds of Calgarians travelled with
their team to witness the Stampeders win their very first Grey Cup
championship. That train ride is considered to have been the event
that began the Grey Cup Week tradition. Newspaper articles from towns
and cities located on the Canadian Pacific Railway's main line from
Calgary to Toronto are chock full of incredulous articles about that
rolling party and the antics of the passengers! The woman at the
Calgary breakfast undoubtedly told Dave Kenney the true story of how
a Calgary reveller rode a horse into the lobby of Toronto's posh
Royal York Hotel on that trip in 1948!

[Dave Kenney cont.:]

We checked out the outside activities, including the beer tent.
We went to the "Saskatchewan Hospitality Room", which was a
deserted restaurant in Jackson Square Mall that the people from
Saskatchewan had rented out for the Grey Cup. We went to the
"Grey Cup and Santa Claus" Parade.

1. Winnipeg had a float
2. Calgary had people on horseback
3. Saskatchewan had a group of fans with flags, and a marching
band that played "On Wisconsin"
4. BC had about 2 guys, one with a BC Lions flag, and the other
with a BC (provincial) flag.
5. Ottawa had a small group of fans.
6. I didn't see anything from Montreal.
7. Edmonton had their cheerleaders. It was really neat since their
cheerleaders are like US college cheerleaders in that they are
coed and they do acrobatics.
8. Baltimore had a group of fans who were obviously sad that their
team moved away.
9. When the group of Toronto fans came by, there were chants of
"Argos Suck!" from the crowd. Here in Hamilton, those 2 words
were heard together a lot over the weekend! Someone had even
hung a sign from a parking garage that said it.
10 We didn't see anything for the other former US teams. We wanted
to show that the other teams were also missed, so we adopted the
Birmingham Barracudas as our own. Dan bought a 'Cudas flag from
the Hall of Fame, and we carried it around the rest of the night.
The next day, Willy gave us a broomstick, and Dan was able to
wave the 'Cudas flag around at the Grey Cup.

One person we met was the guy who dresses in yellow and black up
and leads the Ti-Cats fans at Ivor Wynne in the "Oskee Wee Wee"
cheer. We saw a sign at the Sheraton Hotel telling people about
"Less Browne's Grey Cup Party". I said, partly to Dan, and partly
to myself, "Less Browne, we saw him..." and just as I was saying
this, who should walk by but Less Browne? He must have thought
that Willy said what I did, because Mr. Browne told Willy, "Oh,
you did..." as he was walking by!

[From Dave Fulton:]

Everyone loves Saskatchewan Roughrider fans. People see you
with 'Rider colours, and everyone says, "ALRIGHT!" and they
say that the 'Riders are their second favourite team (if they
aren't from Sask. of course!). A couple of guys ask me if I'm
from Regina. My wife I and I talk to them for a few minutes.
They tell me they played for the 'Riders this year (but, I
wasn't bright enough to ask them who they actually were,
because I didn't recognize them). We start to walk over to the
stadium and there's Jim Daley! Hey, Jim! How's it going! We
stop and shake his hand and chat for a few minutes and say we
are sorry he's not here as a coach in the game. He apologized
to us for that! We get to our seats about 15 minutes before
kickoff. I grew up watching Edmonton beat Saskatchewan in the
playoffs of the early '70s. There is no way my heart could ever
cheer for them. I cheer for Toronto by default. Thankfully our
seats are in the Argo section! Holy smokes! What a game! Not as
good as '89, but WOW! After finally squeezing our way onto a bus
we're on our way! "Argo's Suck!" cries still rise from the back
seats. "Yeah, sucking champagne out of the cup!" says the guy in
the next row. Everyone is bubbling about the showcase game, how
this has to help save the CFL (even though the same thing happens
year after year). One caller gets on and the person they were with
had said to them, "Yeah, it was alright, but it wasn't the Super
Bowl." WHAT??!!??? Oh well, it was a Toronto radio station.

[From Brent Mosley:]

Great week, great game! We met people from all aver the Country.
I was wearing my Stamps jersey in one of the pubs talking to some
local gals and Rocco Romano came in. He was a real gentleman and
let the gals try on his Grey Cup ring! If some one ever wants to
find out how the people of Canada feel about politics ect. they
should just hang out at a Grey Cup beer tent!

[From BONKRR:]

When I got married in the Spring of 1995, a friend of mine who
was living in Saskatoon at the time, asked me if I would be able
to attend the Grey Cup at Taylor Field if he got my wife and I
tickets as a wedding present. Obviously, being a long time fan,
this was like a trip to the Promised land for me. Before you
could say "air miles", we were on our way. Grey Cup week in
Regina was all I had ever imagined it could be. Thousands of
people from across the country, each dressed in the colours of
their favourite team, all there for one reason, to have a great
time. It was an experience that I hope all CFL fans get to
experience. As I told a friend back home, if you ever get the
chance to go to Grey Cup Week, GO! If you don't get the chance,
make the chance - it's well worth it. The main result of our time
in Regina was that we made the sojourn to Ivor Wynn Stadium in
Tabbie Town this fall and have every intention of being there for
Grey Cup 1997, (be it in Montreal or Edmonton), and many more to
come. In Regina, I had breakfast two tables away from the great
George Reed, spoke to Lui Passaglia (who autographed my game
ticket) in the hotel lobby, and talked at length with Dave
Ridgway in his restaurant (Mutt and Jeff's). In Hamilton, I met
Dan Kepley in the street, said hello to Doug Flutie as he dashed
into a corner store on his way to the player awards, bought
souvenirs along side Robert Mimbs, and on and on and on...

==============================================

[9] Stadia
===========

The Autostade - Montreal home field 60s-70s
The Big Marshmallow - B.C. Place Stadium now
The Big O - a.k.a. The Big Owe - Stade Olympique. Montreal
home field now (stadium took many years to pay for)
Buffalo Stadium - Calgary home field 10s-40s
Clarke Stadium - Edmonton home field 50s-70s
Empire Stadium - B.C. home field 50s-80s
Exhibition Stadium (or CNE Stadium) - Toronto home field 50s-80s
Lansdowne Park - Original name of Ottawa's Frank Clair Stadium
Mewata Stadium - Calgary home field 40s-60s
Molson Stadium - Alouettes home field 50s-60s
Never Win Stadium - Argos nickname for Ivor Wynne Stadium in
Hamilton, 70s-80s
The Polo Grounds - Winnipeg home field 20s-60s
The Teflon Tent - B.C. Place Stadium now
Varsity Stadium - Toronto home field 20s-50s
The World's Largest Outdoor Insane Asylum - Memorial Stadium,
Baltimore, Maryland

==============================================

[10] Cheers and Chants
======================

"The Argo Yell" - Long, drawn out (7 to 9 seconds) yelling of the
Argos name by their fans, with the "Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrr" part being
two whole notes higher than the "goooooooooooooos" part.
= =

"The Baltimore Colts/Stallions Cheer" - a fusion of an old NFL-era
Colts cheer with the name of the former CFL team.

[From Steve "Scooter" Kramer:]
The "C-O-L-T-S, COLTS!!" cheer goes back to about 1978 and was
frequently amended by Baltimore fans this way:

S-T-A-L-L-I-O-N-S, COLTS!!!

Some did say "STALLIONS!", which is why, if you were listening
on TV, you couldn't tell what was being said after the "S-T-A..."
was spelled out. The fans were shouting two different things! The
"COLTS!" shout was starting to gain the upper hand, though.
= =

"Baltimore Colts Fight Song" - Origin predated Baltimore Stallions.

[From Gregg Diethorn:]
Let's go you Baltimore Colts
And put the ball across the line
So drive on you Baltimore Colts
Go in and strike like lightning bolts
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
Rear up you Colts and let's fight
Crash through and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will march on to victory!
= =

"B.C. Lions Fight Song" (title unknown)

[From Scott Rixon:]
Come on and roar, you Lions, roar
That's what a Lion's roar is for
From the mountains to the sea
You are the pride of all BC
RAH! RAH!
Buckle down and play the game
You'll lead us on to football fame
We love the L, the I, the O-N-S
Come on and roar, you Lions,
Roar, you Lions,
Roar, you Lions, roar!
= =

"Cal-ga-ree!" - Anti-Stampeder song (to the tune of the opera
piece `Finiculi, Finicula') sung at Edmonton Eskimos home games
whenever the Calgary team makes a glaring miscue or loses a big
game. It goes:

Cal-ga-ree! Cal-ga-raw!
Cal-ga-ree! Cal-ga-ra-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
= =

"Edmonton Eskimos Fight Song" (Title Unknown)

[From Jake Troughton:]
We're cheering fight fight fight on Eskimos
We're marching right right right on Eskimos
We're charging down the field for all to see
And shouting 'rah rah rah' fight on to victory!
We're fighting on 'til every game is won
The 'Green and Gold' is bold
And when we're done
We'll tell the world
We're proud of Edmonton and the Edmonton Eskimos!
= =

"On Roughriders" - Saskatchewan fight song that preceded "Green
Is The Colour."

[From Mark Cote:]
This song was shamelessy stolen from "On Wisconsin", the
Badger's fight song.
= =

"Oskee Wee Wee" - Famous, decades-old Hamilton football cheer
of indeterminate origin (Natives do not recognize it). At
Tiger-Cat home games you will see Pigskin Pete on the sidelines
leading the crowd in the cheer. It goes:

Oskee Wee Wee! Oskee Wa Wa!
Holy Mackinaw!
Tigers! Eat 'em raw!
= =

"Saskatchewan Roughriders Fight Song" (a.k.a "Green is the Colour")

Green is the colour
Football is the game
We're all together
And winning is our game

So cheer us on
Through the sun and rain
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Is our name!

[From Mark Cote:]
Incidentally, "Green Is The Colour" was written, at least in part,
by former Saskatchewan Roughrider Steve Mazurak and his wife.
= =

Toronto "Talk 640" Radio's CFL Song

[From Steve Hayman:]
We don't really have an Argonauts fight song, but we do have a
promising candidate though; Talk 640, the Argo radio station, has
been running a commercial with a fight song written by two of
their staffers. Gotta love the intentionally lame lyrics:

Lions, Ticats and the Blue Bombers,
Alouettes and Eskimos and Stampeders,
Rough Riders and the other Roughriders,
But the Argos rule the CFL!

Steve Hayman refers to himself as Musical "Dictator" of the
Argonotes (Toronto Argonauts Band).
= =

"Ye Men Of Calgary" - Calgary Stampeders fight song from the
1960s, still played occasionally by Channel 7 TV

[From both Dan Rudiak and Bill Pollard:]
Hit 'em again ye men of Calgary,
And we'll cheer you as you're marching down the field,
While there's a goal in sight, play on with all your might,
'Til the victory's won get in and fight, fight fight!
We're all behind you men of Calgary,
So when your backs are to the wall we'll never yield,
Come on you Red and White, we need a win tonight!
Hit em again, ye men of Calgary!

[From Steve Nagler:]
Sometime in the late 70's or so (it's been a while) the Vanier Cup
game was played at freezing cold CNE Exhibition Stadium in Toronto
between the Ottawa Gee Gees and the Calgary Dinosaurs. Among the many
not so happy Toronto Varsity Blues fans attending was the Lady Godiva
Memorial Band (at the time the U of T Engineering School's Marching
Band). In those days the LGMB used to supply music (or some semblence
thereof) to U of T football games, as well as sneaking into the Grey
Cup Parade every year. Since Ottawa had eliminated their team the week
before, the LGMB decided to support the Dinos, but needed some Calgary
music to aim at the field. I ended up teaching them "Hit 'em Again Ye
Men of Calgary" on the fly the night before!

==============================================

[11] Miscellany
==============

Alien - Memphis tee-retrieving mascot dog, 1995
Big, Bad, and Blue - 1995 Baltimore motto
Boomer & Buzz - Winnipeg cheerleading mascots
Bytown - Ottawa, Ontario
Charm City - Baltimore, Maryland
+ "The Concrete Convertible" - SkyDome, Toronto
Cowtown - Calgary, Alberta
Dream Team - Saskatchewan cheerleaders
The Fillies - Baltimore cheerleaders
Gainer The Gopher - Saskatchewan mascot
Gastown - Vancouver, British Columbia
Golden Girls - former Sask. cheerleaders, sponsored by Molson's
Hogtown - Toronto, Ontario
The Horse With No Name - Baltimore mascot
Itsy - Calgary touchdown horse
The Lions' Pride - B.C. Cheerleaders
The Outriders - Calgary Cheerleaders
+Radically Canadian - 1996 CFL advertising campaign slogan
Ralph The Dog - Calgary mascot
The Roar - Hamilton Cheerleaders
The Schenleys - former CFL All Star awards
Splash - Birmingham cheerleaders
Steeltown - Hamilton, Ontario
+ TC - Hamilton mascot
T.O. - Toronto, Ontario
Winterpeg - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Van - Vancouver, British Columbia
= =

[A Childhood Memoir]

I don't know why I've included the following in here, but it's one of my
fondest memories of football from my childhood, and besides, I own this
document, so there.

My neighbourhood buddies and I got to play "One Steamboat, Two Steamboat"
on a high school football field with a CFL quarterback when I was 12! My
Dad had been transferred to St. Catharines, Ont. at the time, which is
where the Hamilton Tiger Cats have held their training camp for many,
many years. Thus, in the late summer, kids would occasionally see the likes
of Tommy Joe Coffey, Garney Henley, and Angelo Mosca around town. One hot
afternoon, a dream came true for me and about five or six other kids. As
we horsed around with a football, we were curious about who the guy was
that pulled up in a shiny new Buick Riviera. The big guy strode
confidently over and asked if he could play. We were a little scared
because the guy seemed a little too intense. Sure enough, he called us
into a huddle and told *all* of us to run receiving routes at once! Not
only that, but he drew diagrams in the dirt and also told us exactly how
many *steps* to take in our routes. After about an hour of having this
gentleman zip bullets into our bruised bellies (believe me, it was joyful
suffering!) I was glad when he said that he had to go. We had used all of
our youthful energy running full tilt 40 yarders, and had absorbed his
enthusiasm to the point that my friends and I had made circus catches
that we had never tried before! The tall stranger walked to his car in the
sunset and thanked all of us for the "fun" with a huge smile. As he
started his car and turned on its air conditioner, we waited as my buddy
Mike knocked on the window. "Who are you?" As he backed the car out of
the lot, he lowered the window and replied "Bernie Faloney".

==============================================

[12] List & Copyright Information
================================

I began this project as a simple post to the Usenet group
rec.sport.football.canadian called GREATEST CFL NICKNAMES
early in 1994 as a list of ten CFL-related nicknames that were
my favourites. Look what has happened after all that time! The
major versional differences have been in layout, categories,
and bulk of information. The minor versional differences
consist of new entries in each category.

My definition of a great CFL NICK NAME is one which displays
something of the character and/or personality of the league,
player(s), fans, and team(s). The Canadian Football League is
so much better for its unique people, places, attitudes, rules,
history and culture.

Sincere thanks to all contributors and respondents for their
excellent memory work. Special thanks to Keith Willoughby for
creative input, Michael Skeet for archival work at the CFL Hall
of Fame, and to all who have contributed their wonderful ideas,
information, and encouragement.

This list is intended to be expanded, updated, corrected, and
commented on (see my .sig below). I reserve the right to copyright
any submissions and to edit them for clarity, factuality, and space.
I have omitted nicknames which are only shortened versions of the
player's name, or which are vulgar (sorry Enis Jackson and Ted
Duschinsky fans!)

I am forced to assert copyright on this document after finding it
on an Internet location with all of the references to me and
contributors having been carefully and deliberately stripped away.

This entire document is copyright (c)1996 Jon LeBlanc.

Reproduction, republication, or retransmission of this document, in
whole or in part, without my expressed consent is strictly prohibited.

By posting this document to Usenet group rec.sport.football.canadian,
I hereby give consent for this document's reposting, in whole or in
part, to that Usenet group only, and by private e-mail which will
not result in the publication of this document in any other Internet
site or document.