Canadian stamp stories

To celebrate the 100th Grey Cup Game this year, Canada Post has issued a full roster of team stamps, plus one to honour the cup itself.

Logos of the Canadian Football League™ teams grace a choice of eight different PERMANENT™ domestic coils. Exceptional games or events, one per team, are captured on commemoratives available in booklets of ten. Finally, a single stamp spotlighting the cup itself is also available.

According to stamp design manager Liz Wong, when you’re producing an issue that includes 17 stamps, ten Official First Day Covers, collectible strips from coils and more (see pages 8 to 23 for all the stamps and collectibles available) you need everyone to be moving the ball in the right direction. The stamps were designed by Bensimon Byrne, the official advertising agency for the CFL®. The agency also provided the written content for the booklets and OFDCs. According to Wong, “Working with a creative team that knew the CFL—and the history of the teams—was instrumental in producing an issue of this scale. Securing the rights and permissions alone was a huge undertaking, but we were lucky to have both the right players in place and the support of the CFL along the way. That made things go smoothly.”

In addition to giving collectors who love sports stamps a real “field” day, Canadian consumers and businesses can show where their football loyalties lay and kick off the season by using their team stamp on their mailings.

Talking about teams
The Canadian Football League has undergone many changes over the years—and currently consists of eight teams nationwide. Each team chose a particular game or event in the history of the Cup that they wished to commemorate on their stamp. Their stories unfold on the following pages.

BC Lions*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1954
Grey Cup Wins: 1964, 1985, 1994, 2000, 2006, 2011

The BC Lions™ played their first CFL® season in 1954, and have represented Canada’s West Coast ever since. They played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver until 1983, when they moved indoors to BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver.

The Lions have played in ten Grey Cup® games and brought the Cup home six times, but it took 11 seasons in the League before BC finally got to raise the Grey Cup in 1964. The Lions started that year on a 10-0 tear, rolling through the playoffs and dominating Hamilton in the final by a score of 34-24. Diehard BC fans hold up the 1964 season as the greatest in franchise history.

BC dominated the League in 1985, with a 13-3 regular season record. Veteran Mervyn Fernandez was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player that year while defensive tackle Mike Gray won Most Outstanding Rookie honours. Quarterback Roy Dewalt drove the team to a 37-24 Grey Cup victory over Hamilton.

In 1994, BC did more than just win the Grey Cup; the Lions ensured that the Cup remained on Canadian soil. The upstart new franchise in Baltimore, Maryland, made it to the championship game, but a last second field goal by Lui Passaglia won the game 26-23 for BC in front of delirious hometown fans.

The 88th Grey Cup also belonged to the BC Lions. After rebounding from a 5-9 start to the season, the Lions clawed their way into the Grey Cup Game and capped one of the greatest turnarounds in team history with a 28-26 triumph over Montréal.

Six years later, BC found itself raising the Grey Cup again. Led by record-setting wide receiver and CFL Most Outstanding Player Geroy Simon, the team ricocheted from a 2-3 start to storm into the playoffs with 13-5 season record. BC upended Montréal 25-14 in the championship game.

Following a tough 0-5 start in 2011, the Lions rallied to an 11-7 regular season finish and capped a historic year with a 34-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in front of hometown fans at BC Place to capture their sixth Grey Cup title. With the victory, BC Head Coach Wally Buono tied a CFL record with his fifth Grey Cup win, capping an illustrious coaching career.

With legendary players like Lui Passaglia, By Bailey, Joe Kapp, and Willie Fleming, as well as many Grey Cup victories, the BC Lions have a rich history that has thrilled its fans for 59 years.

Edmonton Eskimos*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1949
Grey Cup Wins: 1954, 1955, 1956, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2005

The green and gold of the Edmonton Eskimos™ has been part of the CFL® for more than 60 years. The team wasted no time establishing itself as a League powerhouse; winning a string of three consecutive Grey Cups from 1954 to 1956 with great players like Jackie “Spaghetti Legs” Parker, Normie Kwong, Rollie Miles, Johnny Bright, and Don Getty. The 42nd Grey Cup® featured Jackie Parker’s famous fumble recovery and subsequent 90-yard touchdown, one of the most famous plays in Canadian sports history.

The Eskimos wouldn’t raise the Grey Cup again until 1975, when they rode a League-leading 12-4 regular season record to a championship game appearance. Kicker Dave Cutler scored all of Edmonton’s points en route to a 9-8 victory over Montréal.

Beginning in 1978, Edmonton set out on what would become an awe-inspiring five-year Grey Cup dynasty. With the stellar defensive play of Dan Kepley and Dave Fennell as well as the electrifying offense generated by quarterback Warren Moon; the Eskimos dominated the CFL for half a decade, and the dynasty helped Edmonton become known as “City of Champions.”

Brian Kelly, Gizmo Williams, and quarterback Damon Allen helped Edmonton shine in 1987, leading the team to a 38-36 victory over Toronto in the Grey Cup Game—the Eskimos’ tenth Cup victory.

The year 1993 brought the Grey Cup home to Edmonton for the 11th time. The Eskimos won their last eight games, including a 33-23 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg. Kicker Sean Fleming scored 21 of Edmonton’s points, earning him Most Valuable Canadian in the Grey Cup.

In 2003 and 2005, the Eskimos met Montréal in the championship game both times. The stellar play of Mike Pringle, Terry Vaughn, Jason Tucker, and Ricky Ray kept Edmonton fans on their feet all the way to two Grey Cup victories.

With 13 Grey Cup wins in 24 championship game appearances, the Edmonton Eskimos are one of the CFL’s most successful and perennially competitive teams.

Calgary Stampeders*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1935
Grey Cup Wins: 1948, 1971, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008

The first Calgary Stampeders Grey Cup® appearance was in October 1948, against the Ottawa Rough Riders, but the Stampeders have many football ancestors going back as far as 1906; the Tigers, Canucks, Fiftieth Battalion, Altomah-Tigers, Altomahs, and Bronks were all predecessors who helped shape the game of Canadian football.

In 1948, the Stampeders capped off a perfect 12-0 regular season record with a 12-7 victory over Ottawa in the Grey Cup. Jubilant Calgary fans travelled in droves to Toronto, and their spirited activities, such as riding a horse through the lobby of Toronto’s Royal York Hotel, turned the Grey Cup into the Canadian cultural event it is today.

After Grey Cup losses in 1968 and 1970, Calgary didn’t let the championship game of 1971 slip away, winning 14-11 over Toronto. Linebacker Wayne Harris was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Defensive end Dick Suderman was the top Canadian.

After the lean 1980s, the arrival of quarterback Doug Flutie in the early 90s turned the Stampeders’ fortunes around. Flutie was CFL® Most Outstanding Player from 1992 to 1994. Calgary won the 80th Grey Cup over Winnipeg by a score of 24-10. A return to the championship game in 1995 resulted in a 37-20 loss to Baltimore, but for the third time in three Grey Cups, Stampeder slotback Dave Sapunjis won honours as top Canadian.

Calgary won its fourth Grey Cup in 1998, over Hamilton with a last second field goal by Mark McLoughlin. Stampeder quarterback Jeff Garcia was MVP of the game.

In 2001, Calgary raised the Grey Cup again, winning in a 27-19 upset over the heavily favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Montréal’s Olympic Stadium. Aldi Henry was top Canadian after blocking a crucial Winnipeg punt resulting in a Stampeder touchdown that put Calgary ahead for good.

The Stampeders’ most recent Grey Cup win was in 2008, when they defeated Montréal 22-14. Quarterback Henry Burris was named MVP of the game, while kicker Sandro DeAngelis, the top Canadian, kicked five field goals.

Calgary has had more than its share of great players: middle linebacker Wayne Harris, linebacker Alondra Johnson, running back Willie Burden, receiver Allen Pitts, among many others. Calgary has six Grey Cup wins in 12 appearances.

Saskatchewan Roughriders* Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1910
Grey Cup Wins: 1966, 1989, 2007

The origins of the Saskatchewan Roughriders* can be traced back to 1910, with the formation of the Regina Rugby Club. In 1924, the name was changed to Roughriders*, and in 1948, the team adopted its iconic green and white colours.

The Roughriders’ first Grey Cup® victory came in 1966, when they defeated Ottawa 29-14 with Ron Lancaster calling the shots at quarterback. In the next decade they would appear in the Grey Cup game four more times, but fail to bring the Cup home.

In 1989, more than 54,000 fans were on hand in Toronto’s brand new SkyDome to watch Saskatchewan take on Hamilton in the championship game. During that game,15 Grey Cup records were tied or broken, but how the game ended is what made this one of the most exciting championship games of all time.

After the Tiger-Cats scored a touchdown to tie the game 40-40, the Roughriders quickly marched right back down the field and into field goal position with just seconds to go in the game. Saskatchewan kicker Dave Ridgway rose to the occasion, nailing a field goal to lift Saskatchewan to victory. This last-second play has been called “The Kick” to Roughrider fans ever since.

Saskatchewan won the Grey Cup again in 2007, beating Winnipeg 23-19. Most Valuable Player James Johnson had three interceptions—the first for a touchdown and the third to end Winnipeg’s final drive and seal the victory for the Roughriders.

Saskatchewan’s fans are as well-known as the team, having earned a reputation for being the most passionate in the League. Mosaic Stadium consistently sells out and the Roughriders enjoy surprising support when on the road in other cities, a testament to the team’s wild popularity with CFL fans everywhere.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1930
Grey Cup Wins: 1935, 1939, 1941, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1984, 1988, 1990

Winnipeg has been competing for the Grey Cup® since 1930, and in 1935, the “Winnipeg’s” were the first Western team to win the Grey Cup. In 1936, fans happily seized on to the current name of the franchise after journalist Vince Leah refitted the nickname of famous boxer Joe Louis (the Brown Bomber) and wrote “These are the Blue Bombers* of western football.”

From the mid-1930s to the late 40s, the Blue Bombers were a football force to be reckoned with, appearing in the championship game ten times and winning three Grey Cup trophies.

However, the true glory years of the franchise would arrive in the 1950s, when the team boasted legendary players like Ken Ploen, Leo Lewis, Ernie Pitts and Charlie Shepard. After a Grey Cup loss in 1957, the Blue Bombers would go on to dominate the League by winning four championships in the next five seasons.

In the 50th Grey Cup, Winnipeg faced Hamilton at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium, in a game that would forever be remembered as the Fog Bowl of 1962. As play went on, fog began to roll in from Lake Ontario, settling on the field in the second quarter. Visibility got worse and worse for players, more than 32,000 fans in the stands, and millions watching on TV. With nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Commissioner G. Sydney Halter pulled the plug on the game with Winnipeg leading 28-27. After playing out the rest of the fourth quarter the next day, there was no further scoring and Winnipeg claimed the only Grey Cup Game to be played over two days.

The mid-80s and early 90s were great years for Blue Bomber fans, as coach Cal Murphy guided the team to three Grey Cup victories, one in 1984, as head coach, and wins in 1988 and 1990 as General Manager.

With legendary players like Milt Stegall, Dieter Brock, Bob Cameron and Herb Gray, more than 80 years of thrilling Winnipeg football shows no signs of slowing down, and Blue Bomber fans look forward to more memorable performances on the field.

Hamilton Tiger‑Cats*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1950
Grey Cup Wins: 1953, 1957, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1972, 1986, 1999

Hamilton’s football roots trace back to 1869, when the Hamilton Football Club was born. The club has won the Grey Cup® 15 times as the Hamilton Alerts, the Tigers, the Flying Wildcats and in 1953, for the first time as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats*.

The late 1950s and early 60s were great years for the Tiger-Cats. Starting in 1957, Hamilton made nine Grey Cup Game appearances in 11 seasons and the team won the Cup four times.

In 1972, Hamilton faced the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the Grey Cup trophy, with veteran quarterback Ron Lancaster facing Hamilton rookie Chuck Ealey. Late in the fourth quarter, the score was deadlocked 10-10. Nineteen-year-old Hamilton kicker Ian Sunter rose to the occasion and kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired. The hometown Hamilton crowd in Ivor Wynne Stadium exploded in celebration at this perfect football moment.

Two future Canadian Football Hall of Famers also shone in the 60th Grey Cup Game: Angelo Mosca in the final game of his career and Garney Henley, the CFL®’s Most Outstanding Player in 1972.

After heartbreaking Grey Cup losses in 1984 and 1985, the Tiger-Cats finally prevailed in 1986, defeating the Edmonton Eskimos 39-15 in the championship game. In a dominant performance at both ends of the field, Hamilton jumped out to a 29-0 halftime lead and never looked back. They also amassed ten sacks and forced eight turnovers over the course of the game.

In 1999, Hamilton claimed its 15th and most recent Grey Cup title by beating the Calgary Stampeders 32-21. Once again, the Tiger-Cats started strong from the opening kick-off, building a 21-0 halftime lead, holding firm against all of Calgary’s attempts to get back into the game.

Hamilton has had enthusiastic football fans for more than 140 years and the Tiger-Cats look to give them thrills for many years to come.

Toronto Argonauts*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1873
Grey Cup Wins: 1914, 1921, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2004

Toronto’s rich football history began in 1873, when the Toronto Argonauts* Football Club was formed by the Toronto Argonaut Rowing Club. The Argonauts are one of the old oldest football clubs in North America and were pivotal in the early stages of development of Canadian style football.

The Argonauts excelled in the 30s and 40s, winning the Grey Cup® trophy twice in a row in 1937 and 1938. The Team also forged a three win dynasty beginning in 1945.

The 38th Grey Cup Game pitted the Argonauts against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Known as the Mud Bowl, this game was almost as famous for the football field as it was for the players.

The day before the game, an unexpected snowfall covered Toronto. On game day, warmer weather and heavy rain hampered efforts to remove the snow at Varsity Stadium. By kick-off, the playing field was a soaked and muddy mess. Rain fell throughout the game and the low score came as no surprise. Only one touchdown was scored in the entire game and Toronto prevailed 13-0, the last shutout in a Grey Cup Game.

After a Grey Cup win in 1952, over Edmonton, the Argonauts did not return to the championship game until 1971, which they lost to Calgary 14-11.

Toronto’s next Grey Cup victory would happen in 1983, when Toronto beat the BC Lions 18-17, denying BC’s hometown fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

The 79th Grey Cup was particularly sweet for the Argonauts following the revitalization of the franchise with new owners Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky, and John Candy. The acquisition of Rocket Ismail added to a potent offence that defeated Calgary 36-21 in Winnipeg – the coldest Grey Cup game on record.

After a 4-14 record in 1995, the 1996 Argos made an amazing turnaround and went 15-3, storming their way to the championship game. Quarterback Doug Flutie guided the team to a 43-37 Grey Cup romp over Edmonton in a snowy game in Hamilton’s Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Repeating as champions is one of the most difficult accomplishments in professional sports. The 1997 season saw the emergence of speedy receiver SB Derrell Mitchell who helped lead the Argos to another 15-3 season. At the East Final in Toronto, Michael Clemons was the hero catching the game-winning TD with just 40 seconds on the clock. The Argonauts defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 47-23 in the Grey Cup.

Toronto claimed the 92nd Grey Cup, 27-19 over BC, with veteran quarterback Damon Allen calling the shots.

With 15 Grey Cup wins in 21 appearances, the Toronto Argonauts have the best Grey Cup record in the CFL®.

Montréal Alouettes*
Issue Date: August 16, 2012

Founded in 1946
Grey Cup Wins: 1949, 1970, 1974, 1977, 2002, 2009, 2010

Montréal’s football roots wind all the way back to the 1870s, when the Montréal Foot Ball Club was formed. Various teams from the city competed for the Grey Cup®, and the Montréal Winged Wheelers were the first to win it in 1931.

The Montréal Alouettes™ were formed in 1946. They won their first Grey Cup in 1949, after just three years of competing, defeating Calgary 28-15.

Quarterback Sam Etcheverry and wide receiver Hal Patterson led the team to three consecutive Grey Cup Game appearances beginning in 1954, but lost all three games.

Montréal’s next Grey Cup triumph would come in 1970, when a rejuvenated team led by quarterback Sonny Wade beat Calgary 23-10. This championship would launch arguably, the most successful decade in the Alouettes’ history, with three Grey Cup wins in six appearances. In 1974, the team won the championship 20-7 over Edmonton.

The Alouettes’ most memorable Grey Cup victory came in 1977, against Edmonton in front of more than 68,000 hometown fans at Olympic Stadium. Known as the Ice Bowl, this championship game took place just days after a blizzard. After stadium crews used salt to melt snow on the field, a temperature drop on the day of the game froze the field into ice. As both teams struggled with the field conditions, Montréal defensive back Tony Proudfoot came up with a brilliant idea; he put staples into the soles of his shoes for better grip. He quickly shared the idea with his teammates, and soon, his team had the upper hand on the Eskimos. The Alouettes dominated for the rest of the game and won the 65th Grey Cup 41-6.

Following the upheaval of the 1980s; flirting with bankruptcy, renaming the team the Concordes, the folding of the team in 1987, and the absence of a CFL team in Montréal for nine years, the Alouettes were reborn in 1996.

In 1998, Montréal signed free-agent quarterback Anthony Calvillo, and the team has never looked back. Since 2000, the Alouettes have reached the championship game eight times and won three Grey Cups, including two in a row in 2009 and 2010.

® Registered trade-mark of the Canadian Football League
™ Trade-mark of the Canadian Football League
* Trade-marks of the respective Canadian Football League teams, used under license.