1955 in Canadian football
Encyclopedia
Canadian Football News in 1955
The IRFUCanadian Football League East Division
The East Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the East Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.- Pre-1907 :...
allowed the third place team to qualify for a playoff berth.
The Ontario Rugby Football Union
Ontario Rugby Football Union
The Ontario Rugby Football Union or ORFU was an early amateur Canadian football league with teams in the Canadian province of Ontario. The ORFU was founded in 1883 and in 1903 became the first major competition to adopt the Burnside Rules, from which the modern Canadian football code would...
(ORFU) withdrew from Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
competition.
For the first time, the Grey Cup game was held in Western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
at Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
's Empire Stadium
Empire Stadium, Vancouver
Empire Stadium was a multipurpose stadium that formerly stood at the Pacific National Exhibition site at Hastings Park in Vancouver. Track and field and Canadian football, as well as soccer and musical events, were held in the stadium. The stadium was originally constructed for the 1954 British...
. The total Grey Cup attendance was 39,500 and had a gross revenue of $198,000.
Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
's Tex Coulter
Tex Coulter
DeWitt E. "Tex" Coulter was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants and in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. Coulter attended the United States Military Academy.-External links:*, El Paso Times, October 11, 2007...
became the first player to win the Most Outstanding Lineman Award.
Final regular season standings
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points
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- Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs.
- Edmonton and Montreal both have first round byes.
SEMI-FINALS
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- Winnipeg won the total-point series by 24–16. The Blue Bombers will play the Edmonton Eskimos in the WIFU Finals.
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- The Argonauts will play the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Finals.
FINALS
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- Edmonton wins the best of three series 2–0. The Eskimos will advance to the Grey Cup game.
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- The Alouettes will advance to the Grey Cup game.
Grey Cup Championship
| November 26 43rd Annual Grey Cup Game 43rd Grey Cup The 43rd Grey Cup game was played on November 26, 1955 before 39,417 football fans at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. This was the first Grey Cup played in Vancouver.The Edmonton Eskimos beat Montreal Alouettes by the score of 34 to 19.- Box Score :... : Empire Stadium Empire Stadium, Vancouver Empire Stadium was a multipurpose stadium that formerly stood at the Pacific National Exhibition site at Hastings Park in Vancouver. Track and field and Canadian football, as well as soccer and musical events, were held in the stadium. The stadium was originally constructed for the 1954 British... – Vancouver, British Columbia |
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| WIFU Champion N. J. Taylor Trophy The N.J. Taylor Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, formerly awarded to the West Division champions. The winner of this trophy faced the winner of the James S. Dixon Trophy for the Grey Cup. Both the N. J. Taylor Trophy and James S. Dixon Trophy were retired in 2004.The N.J. Taylor Trophy... | IRFU Champion James S. Dixon Trophy The James S. Dixon Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, formerly awarded to the East Division champions. The winner of this trophy faced the winner of the N. J. Taylor Trophy for the Grey Cup. Both the James S. Dixon Trophy and N. J. Taylor Trophy were retired in 2004.The Dixon Trophy was... |
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| Edmonton Eskimos Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895... 34 |
Montreal Alouettes Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions... 19 |
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| The Edmonton Eskimos are the 1955 Grey Cup Champions | |||
- Note: IRFU and Eastern Final dates are not confirmed, however since [1] the regular season ended October 29 in the West, and November 5 in the East, and [2] WIFU playoff dates, as well as the Grey Cup date are accurate, it is reasonable to assume the above dates are accurate.
1955 Eastern (Interprovincial Rugby Football Union) All-Stars
NOTE: The following players were selected to the All-Star team as replacements for players who would have had to play both ways in the Shrine GameCFL All-Star Game
The Canadian Football League played an all-star game regularly during the 1950s and 1970s and twice in the 1980s.The first game in 1955 actually precedes the establishment of the Canadian Football Council and the CFL, and was known as the Shrine Game. It was held each year from 1955 to 1958; then,...
(denoted with an *):
- RB – Corky Tharp, Toronto Argonauts
- DT – Jim StatonJim StatonJames Brooks Staton, Jr. was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins...
, Montreal Alouettes - LB – John Blaicher, Montreal Alouettes
- LB – Juan SheridanJuan SheridanJuan Sheridan was a Grey Cup champion Canadian Football League player.Sheridan won his first Grey Cup with Montreal St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy team in 1944 After three seasons in the Ontario Rugby Football Union with the Toronto Indians and Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers, he began a nine year...
, Montreal Alouettes - DB – Bobby Simpson, Ottawa Rough Riders
2nd Team Offence
- QB – Bob CeleriBob CeleriRobert Lavern Celeri is a former quarterback in the National Football League. He played 11 games for the New York Yanks in 1951 and 8 games for the Dallas Texans in 1952....
, Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen - RB – Hal Patterson, Montreal Alouettes
- RB – Corky Tharp, Toronto Argonauts
- RB – Avatus StoneAvatus StoneAvatus Stone was born on April 21, 1931 in Washington, D.C. and died on November 2, 2000 in Fairfax, Virginia.After playing his college football at Syracuse University, Stone was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League in 1953, but played professionally in Canada with the...
, Ottawa Rough Riders - E – Doug McNicholDoug McNicholDouglas McNichol is a former professional Canadian football player with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes and the Toronto Argonauts. After playing college football at the University of Western Ontario, McNichol spent his entire 11 year CFL career as an defensive lineman...
, Montreal Alouettes - E – Pete Neumann, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- FW – Ron Stewart, Queen's UniversityQueen's UniversityQueen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
- C – Frank DempseyFrank DempseyJames Franklin "Frank" Dempsey is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker and lineman in the National Football League and the Canadian Football League for six seasons in the 1950s...
, Ottawa Rough Riders - OG – Eddie Bevan, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- OG – Vince ScottVince ScottVincent Joseph "Boomer" Scott was a Canadian football player. He played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and was later a Hamilton city councillor. He became a Canadian citizen in the mid 1950s...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats - OT – Jim HughesJim HughesJames Robert Hughes was a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of six seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. For his career, he compiled a 15-13 record in 172 appearances, all but one as a relief pitcher, with an 3.83...
, Queen's UniversityQueen's UniversityQueen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England... - OT – Ray Collins, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1955 Western (Western Interprovincial Football Union) All-Stars
NOTE: The following players were selected to the All-Star team as replacements for players who would have had to play both ways, or were injured, in the Shrine GameCFL All-Star Game
The Canadian Football League played an all-star game regularly during the 1950s and 1970s and twice in the 1980s.The first game in 1955 actually precedes the establishment of the Canadian Football Council and the CFL, and was known as the Shrine Game. It was held each year from 1955 to 1958; then,...
(denoted with an *):
- FW – Lynn Bottoms, Calgary Stampeders
- C – Mel BeckettMel BeckettMelvin Howard "Mel" Becket, was an American college football and professional Canadian football player, and was one of 62 people that died on Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 810, on December 9, 1956.Becket played his entire four-year professional football career as a tight end and center...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders - OG – Frank MorrisFrank Morris (Canadian football)Frank Morris was a professional Canadian football offensive lineman and defensive lineman who played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Eskimos...
, Edmonton Eskimos - DG – Ron AtchisonRon AtchisonRon Atchison was a Canadian football defensive lineman who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1952 through 1968. He was part of the Grey Cup championship-winning Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1966....
, Saskatchewan Roughriders - DT – Martin RubyMartin RubyMartin Owen Ruby was an offensive tackle and defensive tackle for the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers in the All-America Football Conference, New York Yanks of the National Football League, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders - DE – Norm FieldgateNorm FieldgateNorm "Mouse" Fieldgate is a former professional Canadian football player. Fieldgate played defensive end and linebacker with the Canadian Football League BC Lions for his entire 14-year career. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Fieldgate is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the BC...
, British Columbia Lions - LB – Mike King, Edmonton Eskimos
- DB – Gord RowlandGord RowlandGordon Rowland , was a linebacker who played ten seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In 1997 he was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.- External links :* at...
, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1955 Ontario Rugby Football Union All-Stars
NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.1955 Canadian Football Awards
- Most Outstanding Player AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Player AwardThe Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The Most Outstanding Player award can be compared to the National Football League's Most Valuable Player, otherwise known as the "MVP" award...
– Pat AbbruzziPat AbbruzziPasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi was an American college and professional Canadian football running back and high school football coach...
(RB), Montreal Alouettes - Most Outstanding Canadian AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Canadian AwardThe Most Outstanding Canadian Award is annually rewarded to the best Canadian player in the Canadian Football League. This is the second-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it is hosted. The two nominees...
– Normie Kwong (RB), Edmonton Eskimos - Outstanding Lineman AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Lineman AwardThe Most Outstanding Lineman Award was an award annually given to the best defensive player or offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League from the year 1955 to 1973...
– Tex CoulterTex CoulterDeWitt E. "Tex" Coulter was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants and in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. Coulter attended the United States Military Academy.-External links:*, El Paso Times, October 11, 2007...
(OT/DT), Montreal Alouettes - Jeff Russel Memorial TrophyJeff Russel Memorial TrophyThe Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy is a Canadian football award recognizing the most outstanding player of the Quebec University Football LeagueThe trophy was originally presented to the player who best exemplified skill, sportsmanship, and courage in the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union...
(IRFU MVP) – Avatus StoneAvatus StoneAvatus Stone was born on April 21, 1931 in Washington, D.C. and died on November 2, 2000 in Fairfax, Virginia.After playing his college football at Syracuse University, Stone was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League in 1953, but played professionally in Canada with the...
(DB), Ottawa Rough Riders - Jeff Nicklin Memorial TrophyJeff Nicklin Memorial TrophyThe Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy is a trophy awarded to the Canadian Football League West Division's Most Outstanding Player, chosen from the nominees from each team in the division...
(WIFU MVP) - Ken CarpenterKen Carpenter (American football)Kenneth Leroy Carpenter is a former American and Canadian football player who played in the National Football League from 1950–1953, the Canadian Football League from 1954–1959, and the American Football League in 1960...
(RB), Saskatchewan Roughriders - Gruen TrophyGruen TrophyThe Gruen Trophy was a Canadian Football League trophy, given to the most outstanding Canadian rookie in the East Division. The award, sponsored by the Gruen Watch Co...
(IRFU Rookie of the Year) - Ed Mularchyk (E), Ottawa Rough Riders - Dr. Beattie Martin TrophyDr. Beattie Martin TrophyThe Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy is a Canadian Football League award, given to the most outstanding Canadian player in the West Division. Each team nominates a player for this award, from which the winner is chosen...
(WIFU Rookie of the Year) - Harry Lunn (HB), Saskatchewan Roughriders - Imperial Oil Trophy (ORFU MVP) - Bob CeleriBob CeleriRobert Lavern Celeri is a former quarterback in the National Football League. He played 11 games for the New York Yanks in 1951 and 8 games for the Dallas Texans in 1952....
- Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen