August 31, 2010

Stamps announce Wall of Fame inductees

Stampeders.com Staff

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders and Calgary Stampeders Alumni Association are pleased to announce four new members of the Stampeders Football Wall of Fame, which this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The 2010 player inductees include linebackers Alondra Johnson and Bernie Morrison and defensive lineman Will Johnson. Jim Finks, who joined the Stampeders as a quarterback in 1957 and became general manager later that year, was named in the builders category.

Their addition brings the total number of Stampeder players honoured on the Wall to 28 since 1985. A total of nine builders have also been recognized.

Alondra Johnson, Will Johnson, Bernie Morrison and Jim Finks will be honoured at a dinner on Thursday, Oct. 21 and again the following day — Friday, Oct. 22 — during halftime of the Stampeders’ game against the BC Lions at McMahon Stadium.

Meet the four newest inductees:

Alondra Johnson #51, linebacker 1991-2003 — Johnson was named a West all-star six times (1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2000) and honoured as an all-Canadian on three occasions (1995, 1998 and 2000). He won three Grey Cups (1992, 1998, 2001) with Calgary and was recognized as the Stampeders’ top defensive player three times (1995, 1998 and 2002). Johnson won the Stampeders’ Presidents’ Ring twice (2001 and 2002) and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The linebacker led Calgary in defensive tackles nine times, totaling 907 tackles in 214 games. He also had 81 special-teams tackles, 44 pass knockdowns, 11 forced fumbles, 14 interceptions including one for a touchdown, 15 fumble recoveries with three returned for touchdowns, 43 sacks and 43 tackles for loss.

Will Johnson #91, defensive lineman, 1989-1996 — Johnson was selected as a West all-star six times (1990-95) and a CFL all-star five times (1991-95). He won a Grey Cup with Calgary in 1992, was named the team’s top defensive player in 1991 and 1994 and was named to the Stampeders’ 50-year Dream Team in 1995. Johnson ranks first on the Stamps’ all-time list with 99 quarterback sacks and recorded a career-high 17 sacks in 1995. He led the team in sacks three times, tied for the lead once and was second twice. The defensive lineman notched 288 defensive tackles and 11 fumble recoveries during his eight-year career.
 
Bernie Morrison #72, linebacker 1978-1988 — Morrison won the Presidents’ Ring twice (1985 and 1987) and was named to the Stampeders’ 50-year Dream Team in 1995. He had 17 interceptions for 109 yards, 11 fumble returns and also had 316 defensive tackles in just four years of official record-keeping. Morrison led the team in total tackles three times (1986-88) and also had 13 sacks in his last five seasons.

Jim Finks, builder — Finks joined the Stampeders as a quarterback in 1957 after a seven-year career with the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers. He played seven games — completing 63 of 125 passes for 799 yards and six touchdowns — before getting injured. He was appointed general manager on Oct. 31, 1957 and remained in that position through the 1964 season before returning to the NFL to become a Hall of Fame executive. Under his guidance, the Stampeders ended a four-year playoff drought in 1957 and soon became an annual contender. Calgary made the playoffs every year from 1960-64 with Finks at the helm. Working with Frank and George McMahon, Fink also worked closely in the building of McMahon Stadium.