By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
2010 Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame might want to consider making some room for the large amounts of hardware that will be arriving when the 2010 Hall inductees make their way to Hamilton.
A combined total of seven Grey Cups will arrive into the storied Hall on the corner of MacNab and Jackson Street and the names accompanying them are ones that deserve this hallowed recognition.
Former Montreal Alouettes quarterback Tracy Ham and defensive end Elfrid Payton will be joined by Saskatchewan fan-favourite Don Narcisse and Winnipeg Blue Bomber punter Bob Cameron as players into the Hall, while Joe Pistilli will be inducted as a builder.
Ham enters the Hall as the league’s all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback with 8,043.
Throughout his 13-year career Ham suited up for four different teams, winning two Grey Cups in 1987 and 1995 with the Edmonton Eskimos and Baltimore Stallions and was named MVP in the win over the Calgary Stampeders in ’95.
He was also named the league’s Most Outstanding Player in 1989.
Joining Ham as the other Alouette to be enshrined in 2010, Payton walks into the Hall known as one of the premiere defenders of his era. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Payton’s 15-year career saw him win two titles, one with the Stallions in ’95 while the other came in 2003 with the Eskimos.
He was the Alouettes’ all-time sack leader with 52 up until last season when rush end Anwar Stewart eclipsed his mark.
Narcisse’s induction comes with the joy of Roughriders fans all through Saskatchewan, having been named the team’s most popular player by the fans on three occasions.
In 1989, he capped off a tremendous season that saw him record 81 receptions for over 14,000 yards and 11 touchdowns with his only championship of his career. He is 44.
The final player of the class of 2010 is punter Bob Cameron. During his 23-year career, all of which were spent with Winnipeg, Cameron brought home three Grey Cups and holds most of the league’s punting records.
This year’s builder, Joe Pistilli, will be remembered as a major contributor to minor football in Canada. He once held the position of Director and President of Quebec Junior Football League and was president of Football Canada from 1992-98.
2010 schedule highlights
Following the release of the 2010 CFL schedule on Monday, fans across Canada began circling dates on their calendars, eagerly awaiting the action that is set to begin on July 1.
Beginning with a Grey Cup rematch on Canada Day between the defending champions Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders and ending with the title game on Nov.28 in Edmonton, this year’s season has all the signs of being another great summer for Canadian football.
In addition to the traditional Labour Day classics and Thanksgiving matchups, the CFL and Reebok are set to launch their 1970’s retro-themed apparel during weeks six and seven.
Stay tuned, like last season, this one could end up being a special year.
Als grant Sanchez his release
Wednesday, the Montreal Alouettes have granted veteran cornerback Davis Sanchez his release as stated in his contract that was signed last off-season.
Sanchez, 35, is coming off a very strong 2009 campaign that saw him play an integral role in their Grey Cup win over the Roughriders.
He has spent all but two of his nine seasons with the Alouettes, spending time with the Stampeders in 2003 and the Eskimos in 2005.
He also suited up with the San Diego Chargers from’01-’02.
