Earl Lunsford
Encyclopedia
Earl Lunsford known as the "Earthquake", was a fullback
for the Calgary Stampeders
and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
.
He played his college football with Oklahoma State University and began his six year career in the Canadian Football League
in 1956. His time in Calgary was interrupted for 2 seasons while he served in the United States military. He played 5 more seasons for the Stamps, from 1959 to 1963.
In his career he rushed 1199 times for 6994 yards, a 5.8 yard average, and 55 touchdowns, with his longest run being 85 yards. He is the Stampeders all-time rushing leader with 55 touchdowns and 28 100-yard games and is second amongst Stampeders for all-time rushing yards. He rushed for 1000 yards 5 times, leading the West Division with 1,343 yards in 1960. In his best season, 1961, he rushed for 1,794 yards, which made him known as the first running back in professional sports to rush for a mile in one season. He was an All West all star in 1960 and All Canadian in 1961.
His best game was on September 3, 1962 in Calgary, when he scored 5 touchdowns, still a Stampeders record.
He later became General Manager
of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
(1968-1982) and the Calgary Stampeders
(1985-1987).
He was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
in 1983.
Earl Lunsford had his own theme song "Earl The Pearl of Calgary".
He died September 3, 2008, aged 74, of Alzheimer's disease
at his Texas home. He is survived by his wife Margot, children Brenda and Lamar, and three grandchildren.
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
.
He played his college football with Oklahoma State University and began his six year career in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
in 1956. His time in Calgary was interrupted for 2 seasons while he served in the United States military. He played 5 more seasons for the Stamps, from 1959 to 1963.
In his career he rushed 1199 times for 6994 yards, a 5.8 yard average, and 55 touchdowns, with his longest run being 85 yards. He is the Stampeders all-time rushing leader with 55 touchdowns and 28 100-yard games and is second amongst Stampeders for all-time rushing yards. He rushed for 1000 yards 5 times, leading the West Division with 1,343 yards in 1960. In his best season, 1961, he rushed for 1,794 yards, which made him known as the first running back in professional sports to rush for a mile in one season. He was an All West all star in 1960 and All Canadian in 1961.
His best game was on September 3, 1962 in Calgary, when he scored 5 touchdowns, still a Stampeders record.
He later became General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
(1968-1982) and the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
(1985-1987).
He was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
in 1983.
Earl Lunsford had his own theme song "Earl The Pearl of Calgary".
He died September 3, 2008, aged 74, of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
at his Texas home. He is survived by his wife Margot, children Brenda and Lamar, and three grandchildren.