GREATEST CFL NICKNAMES
Jon LeBlanc
This is a posting of the latest version and is quite long. If you prefer,
the GREATEST CFL NICKNAMES list can also be read on the World Wide Web at
the following URL:
ftp://ftp.cfl.ca/CFL/contributed/CFL-NEWS/Nicknames
Note that this can also be accessed by anonymous FTP download.
============================================================================
mMMMMMm MMMMMMm MMMMMMM .mMMMm. MMMMMMM MMMMMMM mMMMMMm MMMMMMM
M M M M M M M M M M
M MMM MMMMMM" MMMM MMMMMMM M MMMM "MMMMMm M
M M M M M M M M M M M
"MMMMM" M M MMMMMMM M M M MMMMMMM "MMMMM" M
,
.M.
. .MMM. .
Mm, .MMMMM. ,mM
qMMm,MMMMMMM,mMMq
. "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM" .
.Mm. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM .mM.
"MMMMMMMMMMM.."MMMMMMMMMMMMM"..MMMMMMMMMMM"
"MMMMMM" MMM MMM MMMMMMMMMM"
"MMMMM MMMMMMM MMMMMMM MMMMMMMM"
.mMMMMMM MMMMMMM MMMM MMMMMMMMMMm.
""MMM MMMMMMM MMMMMMM MMMMMMM""
". MMM MMMMMMM M""
""MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"""
.mMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMm.
MMM
MMM
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
MM MMMM MM MM" ... "M MMMM M MMMM MMP ?MM MMMMMMM M ....M" .. "MM
MM "MMM MM MM MMMMMM MMMV AM "MMM M db M "MMMMM" M MMMMM MMMMMM
MM b "M MM MM MMMMMM "" MMM b "M M "" M b "V" d M """"Mbmmm "MM
MM MMb MM MM MMMMMM MMMA "M MMb M MM M Mb dM M MMMMMMMMM MM
MM MMMM MM MM. """ .M MMMM M MMMM M MM M MMb dMM M """"M. "" .MM
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Version 4.0 Jon LeBlanc
In Memory of Phil "The Bleacher Creature" Tufnell (1960-95)
Contents
========
[A] Abbreviations and Notes
[B] Teams
[C] Individual Players
[D] Formations of Players
[E] Fans
[F] Real Names
[G] Games and Plays
+[H] Stadia
+[I] Cheers and Chants
[J] Miscellany
[K] List Information
=================================================================
[A] Abbreviations and Notes
===========================
+ symbol indicates new or updated information for this version.
? symbol indicates more information required.
CFL Canadian Football League
Balt. Baltimore Football Club
B'ham Birmingham Barracudas
BC British Columbia Lions (1994 Grey Cup Champions)
Cal. Calgary Stampeders
Edm. Edmonton Eskimos
Ham. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Mem. Memphis Mad Dogs
Ott. Ottawa Rough Riders
SA San Antonio Texans
Sask. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Shr. Shreveport Pirates
Tor. Toronto Argonauts
Win. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
SB Slotback
=================================================================
[B] 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 - "The Colts" 1994 on.
British Columbia Lions - "The Leos" 1954 on.
Birmingham Barracudas - "The Cudas" "The Studs" 1995 on.
Calgary Altomahs - "The 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 - "The Stamps" 1945 on.
Calgary Tigers - 1911-15, 1921-23
Edmonton Elks - 1920s
Edmonton Esquimaux - 1908-1910
+Edmonton Eskimos - "The Eskies" "The 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 - "The Cats," "The 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 on.
Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers - 1920s-36
Montreal Alouettes I - "The Als," "The Larks" (became Concorde) 1946-82
Montreal Alouettes II - 1986-87 (folded, players dispersed)
+Montreal Bulldogs - 1941-45 (became Hornets)
Montreal Concorde - "The 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- "The Red Riders" "The Black Riders"
1907-1925, then 1927 on.
+Ottawa Senators I - 1867
Ottawa Senators II- 1925-27 (Riders switched to this for two 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 on.
Sarnia Imperials - 1927-50s
Saskatchewan Roughriders - "The Jolly Green Giants," "The Stubble
Jumpers," "The Grass Hoppers," "The
Mean Green Machine," "Canada's Team"
"The Green Riders" 1948 on.
Saskatoon Hilltops - 1930s-40s (later became junior team)
Saskatoon Quakers - 1912-30s
Shreveport Pirates - "The Bucs" 1994 on.
St. Hyacinthe Donnacona - 1944 (wartime Navy team)
+Toronto Amateur Athletic Club - 1906-15
Toronto Argonauts - "The Argos," "The Boatmen," "The Double Blue,"
"The 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 - "The Bombers," "Big Blue,"
"The 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
=================================================================
[C] Individual Players
======================
Name Team(s) Position Decade(s)
==== ======= ======== =========
(A)
L."Hick" Abbott - Sask. Coach 1915
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
Ezzart "Sugarfoot" Anderson - Cal. RB 40s-50s
Kent "The Colonel" Austin - Sask., Ott., BC, Tor. QB now
(B)
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. PU now
Harold "Pal Hal" Ballard - Ham. Owner 70s-80s
"Nub" Beamer - BC RB 60s
Lorne "Boom Boom" Benson - Win. RB 50s
Michel "Odie" Bourgault - Edm. DL now
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. now
"Downtown" Eddie Brown - Ott., Edm., Cal., Mem. WR now
Lester "Rubber Duck" Brown - Sask. (?)
(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. DL 90s
+Sheldon "Shellrock" Canley - Bal. (?) 90s
Frank "The Professor" Clair - Ott. Head Coach 50s-60s
Mike "Pinball" Clemons - Tor. RB now
Howard "High Pockets" Cleveland - Sask. 30s
Lionel "The Big Train" Conacher - Tor. RB/LB 40s
Bruce "The Big Tuna" Covernton - Cal. OL now
Derek "The Stealth" Crawford - Cal., B'ham WR now
Shannon "Skinny" Culver - Bal. WR now
Ulysses "Crazy Legs" Curtis - Tor. RB 50s
(D)
Herman S. "Eagle" Day - Cal., Win. QB, 50s-60s
Steve "Stick" Dennis - Sask. CB? 80s-90s
(E)
Ray "Harley" Elgaard - Sask. SB now
James "Duke" Ellingson - Sask., Ott. SB 80s-90s
Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry - Mtl. QB 50s-60s
+Jim "The Portland Pig" Evenson - B.C. FB 70s
(F)
+"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 now
(G)
Tony "Double Trouble" Gabriel - Ott., Ham. TE 70s-80s
CFLPA President 80s
Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist - Sask., Tor., RB,PK 50s-60s
Tony "Golden Boy" Golab - Ott. HB 30s-50s; Mtl. GM 60s
Harry "Bud" Grant - Win. WR 50s; Head Coach 60s
(H)
Fritz "Twinkletoes" "The Golden Ghost" Hansen - Win., Cal. 30s-40s
Wayne "Thumper" Harris - Cal. LB 60s-70s oil company exec. now
Herm "Ham Hands" Harrison - Cal. TE 60s-70s sales exec. now
"Mini" Mack Herron - Win. RB 70s
"Buckets" Hirsch - Tor. OL 50s-60s
+Carlos "Iceman" Huerta - Bal. PK now
(I)
Hank "The Shank" Ilesic - Edm., Tor., PU 80s-90s
Raghib "The Rocket" Ismael - Tor. WR 90s
Frank "Pop" Ivy - Edm. Head Coach 50s
(J)
"Indian" Jack Jacobs - Win. QB 50s
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., Sask., Win. QB now
Bobby "Banzai" Jurasin - Sask. DL now
(K)
+Jerry "The Reluctant Quarterback" Keeling
- Ott., Cal. QB/DB 60s-70s, Ott. coach now
Brian "Howdy Doody" Kelly - Edm. WR 80s-90s car dealer now
+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
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
University of ? athletics director now
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
+Donnie "Quick Draw" McGraw - Tor. RB 70s
Mark "Bulldog" McLoughlin - Cal. PK now
Leon "X-Ray" McQuay - Tor.,Cal. RB 70s
(O)
Ray "The Blade" Odums - Cal., Sask. DB 70s-80s
John "Red" O'Quinn - Mtl. WR 50s
David "Fumblestreet" "Overpaid" Overstreet - Mtl. WR 70s
(P)
Joe "The Throwin' Samoan" Paopao - BC QB 80s, Edm. 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
"Prince" Hal "Mr. Wonderful" Patterson - Mtl., Ham. QB 50s-60s
+Lester B. "Mike" Pearson - Tor. Orphans Player/Coach 20s-30s
Nobel Peace Prize winner 50s
Prime Minister of Canada 60s
Willie "The Terminator" Pless - Tor., Edm. LB now
Bob "Polecat" Poley - Cal., Sask. OL 80s-90s
Marvin "Big Daddy" Pope - Cal. LB now
(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
Russ "The Wisconsin Wraith" Rebholz - Win. QB 30s
+Roger "The Melville Missile" Reinson - Cal. LB now
Dave "Robo-kicker" Ridgeway - Sask. PK now
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
"Pepper" Rogers - Mem. Head Coach now
Ed "Tornado" Rorvig - Cal. 30s
Tim "Big Cat" Roth - Sask. DL 70s
(S)
Dave "Sponge" Sapunjis - Cal. SB now
+James "Sawblade" Sawyer - SA DT now
Blaine "Bundy" Schmidt - Tor., Ham. OT now
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
Carl "Poochie" Stringfellow - Ott. (?)
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)
Jim "Long Gone" Thomas - Edm. RB 70s
Benny "The Hitman" Thompson - Win. CB 80s
Dick "Tricky Dicky" Thornton - Tor. DB 70s
Ulysses "Junior," "The Thurminator" Thurman - Cal., B'ham CB now
Robert "Buddy" Tinsley - Win. ? 50s
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)
D.C. "Peahead" Walker - Mtl. Head Coach 50s
"Bunny" Wadsworth - Ott. LB 30s
James "Wild" West - Cal., Win. LB 80s-90s
Brett "The Toaster" Williams - Mtl., BC, Edm. DL 80s-90s
Henry "Gizmo" Williams - Edm. WR now
Walter "The Franchise" Wilson - Bal. WR now
Norbert "Knobby" Wirkowski - Cal., Tor. QB 50s
+Elbert "Ickey" Woods - B'ham RB now
Lyall "The Woztusi" Wosnesensky - Sask., Cal. DL 80s
(Y)
Jim "Dirty Thirty" Young - BC SB 70s-80s,
coach, management 90's
(Z)
Ben "The Cookie Monster" Zambiasi - Ham. LB 80s-90s
cookie shop owner now
=================================================================
[D] 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" - Present day Winnipeg O-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 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 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."
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."
Royal Copeland finished his career 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!
= =
"The Six Pack" - 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 Danny Barrett along the line of scrimmage with no men
left in the backfield. This play is still in use.
=================================================================
[E] Fan Nicknames
=================
Len "The Big Wheel" Burrier - Len is the Baltimore Colts fan who
leads cheers from the sidelines 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.
= =
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. 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.
= =
"Pigskin Pete" - 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."
=================================================================
[F] Real Names
==============
Margene Adkins - Ott. WR 60s
Junior Ah You - Mtl. DL 70s-80s
Zenon Andrusyshyn - Tor. PK 60s-70s
+Basil Bark - Cal. OL 70s-80s
+Ephesians Bartley - SA LB now
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
Selwyn Drain - Tor. DB 90s
Septimus DuMoulin - Moose Jaw, Coach 1910
+Duane Dmytryshyn - Cal. SB now
Roger Goree - Sask. LB 70s
Farrell Funston - Win. WR 50s-60s
Lepoleum Ingram - Cal., Sask. DB 80s-90s
Moody Jackson - Ott., Cal. CB 60s-70s
+Deacon Jones - Cal. management 90s
Eagle Keys - Sask. Head Coach 60s
Marv Luster - Tor. DB 60s
Leon Lyskiewicz (sp?) - Sask., Win., Cal. OL(?) 90s
Prince McJunkins III - Ott. QB 80s
Wonderful Monds II - Ott. (?) 80s
Bronko Nagurski Jr. - Ham. LB 60s son of U.S. football legend
Gerry Organ - Ott. PK 60s-70s
Randy Rhino - Mtl. RB 70s-80s
Harry Sonshine - Tor. OL 30s, Coach 50s
Steve Stapler - Ham. WR 80s
+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. DL now
Szrecko Zizakovic - Cal. DL now
=================================================================
[G] 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.
= =
"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 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 the 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 will 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.
= =
"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.
=================================================================
+[H] Stadia
===========
The Autostade - Montreal home field 60s-70s
The Big Marshmallow - B.C. Place Stadium now
The Big O - Stade Olympique. Montreal home field 70s-80s
Buffalo Stadium - Calgary home field 10s-40s
Clark 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
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 now
=================================================================
+[I] 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 Fight Song" - Origin predates the present
Baltimore Football Club.
<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!
= =
"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!
= =
"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!
=================================================================
[J] Miscellany
==============
+Big, Bad, and Blue - 1995 Baltimore motto
Boomer & Buzz - Winnipeg cheerleading mascots
Bytown - Ottawa, Ontario
+Charm City - Baltimore, Maryland
Cowtown - Calgary, Alberta
+The Fillies - Baltimore cheerleaders
Gainer The Gopher - Saskatchewan mascot
Gastown - Vancouver, British Columbia
Hogtown - Toronto, Ontario
+The Horse With No Name - Baltimore mascot
Itsy - Calgary touchdown horse
+The Lions' Pride - B.C. Cheerleaders
The Outriders - Calgary cheerleaders
Ralph The Dog - Calgary mascot
+The Schenleys - former CFL All Star awards
+Splash - Birmingham cheerleaders
Steeltown - Hamilton, Ontario
T.O. - Toronto, Ontario
Winterpeg - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Van - Vancouver, British Columbia
=================================================================
[K] List Information
====================
Sincere thanks to all contributors and respondents for their
excellent memory work and kind words of encouragement.
This list is intended to be expanded, updated, corrected, and
commented on (see my .sig below.) Please use a text editor
in replies since I won't need another copy of this list.
I reserve the right to edit submissions 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!) My definition of a GREATEST
CFL NICKNAME is one which displays something of the character
and/or personality of the league, player(s) or team(s). The
Canadian Football League is so much better for its unique
people, places, attitudes, rules, history and culture.
The use of the name "Colts" in this document in reference
to the Baltimore Football Club represents my own personal
opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any other entity.
Reproduction, republication, or retransmission of this list,
in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of
the Canadian Football League, the CBC, TSN, and ESPN, is strictly
none of their business, BUT please do me a favour and respect
proper citation of this document and the material contained within.
John Collins
own newsgroup? They could call it rec.sport.football.cfl.sucks or maybe
rec.sport.football.bush.league
NFL fan trapped in Canada.
J.M. Joch
John Collins <coll...@morgan.ucs.mun.ca> wrote:
>Do we really have to put up with this CFL garbage? Can't they form their
>own newsgroup?
FYI, there is a CFL newsgroup, rec.sport.football.canadian .
But the name of this group is rec.sport.football.pro .
^^^
Last time I checked, CFL players were still getting paid.
If you're not interested, don't read it. It's that simple.
>
>NFL fan trapped in Canada.
By all means, leave. Please.
John Joch
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
hehittheballrealhard
Ravi Ramkissoonsingh
> Do we really have to put up with this CFL garbage? Can't they form their
> rec.sport.football.bush.league
> NFL fan trapped in Canada.
If you feel so trapped in this great country, then move down to
the United States. I'm sure that they'd be happy to have you and we
would be happy to be rid of you and your whining.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ravi Ramkissoonsingh
Department of Psychology
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
Email address: rram...@ccs.carleton.ca
----------------------------------------------------------------------
pruyne...@gmail.com
> This is a posting of the latest version and is quite long. If you prefer,
> the GREATEST CFL NICKNAMES list can also be read on the World Wide Web at
> the following URL:
>
> ftp://ftp.cfl.ca/CFL/contributed/CFL-NEWS/Nicknames
>
> Note that this can also be accessed by anonymous FTP download.
>
>
> ============================================================================
pruyne...@gmail.com
> On Monday, June 26, 1995 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, Jon LeBlanc wrote:
> > This is a posting of the latest version and is quite long. If you prefer,
> > the GREATEST CFL NICKNAMES list can also be read on the World Wide Web at
> > the following URL:
> >
> > ftp://ftp.cfl.ca/CFL/contributed/CFL-NEWS/Nicknames
> >
> > Note that this can also be accessed by anonymous FTP download.