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CANADA 150: CELEBRATING THE CFL’S GREATEST CANADIANS

Michael 'Pinball' Clemons runs onto the field before a game at BMO Field (Photo: David Chidley/CFL.ca)

By Chris O’Leary

As Canada turns 150, the CFL will celebrate some of its greatest Canadians. Between June 29 and July 7, teams across the league will honour select former players with commemorative t-shirts that recognize their contribution to both this league and to this country.

Some of the players selected by their teams are Canadians by birth. Others are Americans that came here and built a career and life. The t-shirts will be worn on the field by players in warm-ups and by inactive players on the sidelines during games.

Where possible, the players themselves spoke with CFL.ca about these shirts. For those players no longer with us, team experts, or people within the organization that were close to them spoke with us about their extraordinary contributions.

Each story is a sampling of many different Canadian experiences intertwined with playing football.

 
After a 25-year career, Passaglia still misses the little things
Lui Passaglia was an easy player for Lions fans to get behind. It’s been 17 years since he stopped playing, but he still feels a strong connection with the organization.
 
Kwong, Getty part of a peak moment in Canadian talent
If you’re an Esks’ fan, you know that Norman Kwong and Don Getty played on those three-in-a-row Eskimos teams of the 1950s. Chris O’Leary has more on two Eskimos legends.
 
For Canadians, Ezzrett 'Sugarfoot' Anderson was easily relatable
Four months after his death, Ezzrett ‘Sugarfoot’ Anderson’s legacy is built on the impact he made on his adopted hometown after retiring from football in 1954.
 
'Royalty' attached to George Reed's name in Riderville
George Reed’s selection to be the name on the back of the Riders’ t-shirts for their July 1 stadium-unveiling game against Winnipeg is a no-brainer, writes CFL.ca’s Chris O’Leary.
 
Doug Brown: CFL a 'national treasure to Canada'
Former Bomber greats Chris Walby and Doug Brown will have their names on commemorative t-shirts to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.
 
No one went over the middle like Rocky DiPietro
Almost 40 years later, Rocky DiPietro still remembers what he calls the very humble beginnings of his career. Eventually a Ticats great, things didn’t start out that way for DiPietro.
 
Pinball: Representing Canada 'sentimentally sacred'
For Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Canadian culture speaks for itself. Chris O’Leary has more on the man who identifies himself as American by birth and Canadian by choice.
 
Hatanaka: Inclusiveness, diversity make CFL great
For former Ottawa Rough Rider Bill Hatanaka, diversity and inclusiveness are what make the CFL special. Hatanaka’s story transcends his accomplishments on the field.
 
Dalla Riva: From overseas to Hamilton's steel mills and, eventually, the Alouettes
Peter Dalla Riva arrived in Hamilton from Italy with his family in 1953 as a wide eyed eight-year-old. His journey, like many immigrants, turned out to be a unique one.