EDMONTON — When the Edmonton Eskimos take on the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday in their first pre-season game, quarterback Mike Reilly will wear the number zero on his jersey to honour late Eskimo legend Larry Highbaugh.
Out of respect, no one will wear the No. 13 that Highbaugh and Reilly share for the first Esks game since the passing of the former wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner last March.
After Sunday’s game, Reilly will return to the No. 13 for the remainder of the season.
After beginning his career in 1971 as a BC Lions, Highbaugh came to Edmonton the following year where he would remain until his retirement in 1983.
He played 196 career games, including 174 for the Eskimos. A four-time West All-Star (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977) and a three-time CFL All-Star (1973,1974, 1977), Highbaugh is one of only six players in the history of the league to play in nine Grey Cup championship games, winning six, including the Eskimos historic five-in-a-row (1975, 1978, 1982). Highbaugh is second all-time in Grey Cup interceptions with three.
His 2,190 punt return yards includes the Eskimos all-time longest return of 116 yards against Winnipeg in 1975. Highbaugh’s 4,189 kick return yards includes the club’s all-time longest return of 118 yards and the second longest of 109. He’s the only Eskimo with three kickoff return touchdowns.
He also caught 80 passes for 1,364 yards and 14 touchdowns. Highbaugh ranks second all-time in CFL history with 66 career interceptions.
Highbaugh’s name was added to the Eskimos Wall of Honour in 1996. He was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 2004
