Though it might not be the most popular sport in the country, the Canadian Football League is widely watched by thousands of people. Over time, there have been several outstanding Canadian players in this lovely sport who deserve recognition for their successes. Rising through the collegiate system, each one went professional with a prestigious Canada Football team, winning numerous individual and team honours.
These CFL icons are known and loved by Football fans in Canada. With the advent of online gambling, punters can place bets on CFL games at the best online casino Canada real money sites. If you are a fan of this thrilling sport, your eyes should light up upon seeing our list of the best Football players of all time. You will certainly learn something new about these sporting legends.
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard Flutie played as a quarterback in American and Canadian Football. He started with the Boston College Eagles and stood out in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), winning the Walter Camp, the Davey O’Brien and the Maxwell Awards, as well as the Heisman Trophy in 1984. Then, he transferred to the Canadian Football League, playing for eight years with different teams.
In 1990, he first signed with the BC Lions, then moved to the Calgary Stampedes, where he won the Gray Cup in 1992. Doug joined the Toronto Argonauts in 1996 and won two more Gray Cups. It is noteworthy that he was named Player of the Game for his three Gray Cup victories. In 2008, Doug Flutie was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame.
Milt Stegall
Milton Stegall started collegiate football at the University of Miami, where he was selected for three Mid-American All-Conference games before signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1995. During his first season with the franchise, Milt set the record for most consecutive games with a receiving touchdown, earning other accolades, namely, Division All-Star, CFL All-Star, and Most Outstanding Winnipeg Player.
In 2002, he had one of the most remarkable seasons in CFL History, setting new league records for receiving touchdowns while breaking several Winnipeg Club records. When Stegall retired in 2009, he was the CFL's all-time leading receiver in receptions, receiving yards, average yards covered, receiving touchdowns, and longest gained yards.
Damon Allen
Damon Allen began his career at Cal State Fullerton, where he set seven single-season records and became a 1st team Pacific Coast Athletic Association All-Star in 1984. He signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders five years later and was named a Division All-Star by 1991. Damon Allen was the second quarterback in CFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
In 1993, he won the Gray Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos, receiving the award for Most Valuable Player. Subsequently, he broke the CFL record for an all-time leading passer, set by Ron Lancaster in 2000. He also won the Gray Cup with the BC Lions that year and is the first CFL quarterback to rush for over 10,000 yards. By his retirement in 2008, Allen held records for Pro Football’s All-Time Passing Leader, CFL All-Time Rushing Yards by a Quarterback, CFL Most Pass Attempts, CFL Most Pass Completions, and Most Touchdown Passes.
Mike Pringle
Mike Pringle is a renowned Canadian and American Football star who started with the Cougars Football team at John F. Kennedy High School before joining the California State University Titans in 1988. In this team, he developed into a phenomenal player and held the records for most yards gained per rush and most touchdowns in the West Conference by the second season.
Mike was traded to the Baltimore Stallions in 1994, where he played his first Gray Cup game and was chosen to the CFL All-Star team. He continued in Montreal for seven years as the best running back in his team and the league. In 1998, he became the only player to ever rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season (2,065). Pringle later won another Gray Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos and broke the CFL record for most career rushing yards.
George Reed
George Reed is regarded as one of American College Football and Canadian Football League’s greatest quarterbacks. He began his career with the Washington State University Cougars before moving to the Canadian Football League team, Saskatchewan Roughriders. Reed played there for 13 years, achieving such legendary feats that the club retired his jersey number #34.
He played there between 1963 and 1975, setting career records for most rushing and touchdowns. While players have surpassed most of his records, George Reed still holds the CFL rushing-for-touchdowns record. Reed's only Gray Cup win was in 1966, but he holds individual honours like the 1965 CFL’s Most Outstanding Player and the 1967 Tom Pate Memorial Trophy.
Conclusion
There have been several players with notable achievements in the CFL. However, you will hardly find individuals with better records than those highlighted in this piece. They are indeed the elite of the Canadian Football League and are all Hall of Famers.
