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  • Advertisements During Grey Cup Week in 1996

    It’s been thirty years since I attended my first Grey Cup. In 1996, the City of Hamilton welcomed Canadian football fans from across the country (and beyond) to what was billed as the “Showdown in Steeltown.”

    I thought it would be fun to share some of the great (and not so great) advertisements that ran in the Hamilton Spectator in the days leading up to the big game. Enjoy.

    Zarky’s Fine Foods was your go-to “Grey Cup Food Centre.” Check out those prices from 1996.

    Zarky's Fine Foods ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    The contrast is horrible on this ad for the Roarrr Store, but their retail locations were the place to go to land some official Grey Cup merchandise. The Roarrr Store was the official retail store of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. I got many a t-shirt and sweatshirt from here.

    Roarrr Store ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    Here’s an ad for Neon Products, who specialized in signs and advertising. They may have provided the various banners seen around town during Grey Cup week.

    Neon Products ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    Who remembers Grand & Toy? They ran a Grey Cup draw where you could win four tickets to the game. I presume listing your home fax was optional.

    Grand & Toy ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    Hutch’s, a Hamilton staple, offered a $2.29 Grey Cup breakfast special at their Stoney Creek location. Now, that’s a smoking deal.

    Hutch's ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    As part of Grey Cup week, radio stations Y95, 900 CHML and and 820 CHAM, and the Hamilton Spectator presented the Chrysler Grey Cup Concert series at Copps Coliseum. I didn’t go to any of these, but my sister still brags that she went to the November 21st show featuring the Crash Test Dummies.

    Chrysler Grey Cup Concert Series ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    There was something for everybody during Grey Cup week. You could even check out “Canada’s Hottest Duo” at Chez “M”, Hamilton’s premier exotic adult entertainment establishment.

    Chez "M" ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    You could win a Motorola StarTac “the phone you could wear” at Bell Mobility’s tailgate party giveaway on the day of the game.

    Bell Mobility ad in the Hamilton Spectator during the 1996 Grey Cup.

    Well, there you have it. As a marketer by trade, I always enjoy looking at vintage (if you can the 1990s vintage) advertising. There was some real hype around the 1996 Grey Cup in Hamilton. A lot of local companies wanted in on it.

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  • Ad For Football Equipment (1907)

    The football season is in full swing? Are you equipped? Check out this ad for Hurd & McBride that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on October 2, 1907.

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  • Argonauts vs. Tiger-Cats in a Two Game Total Point Eastern Final

    The Canadian Football League introduced some significant structural changes in 1986. Not only did the league move to an 18-game season, but it also tweaked its playoff format. Up until then, the top three teams in each of the Eastern and Western divisions qualified for the playoffs. Now, a fourth team in a division was eligible to qualify for the playoffs provided they had more points in the standings than the third place team in the other division. That third place team in the weaker division would lose its playoff berth.

    Toronto Star coverage of Game One of the 1986 Eastern Final (17 November 1986).
    Toronto Star coverage of Game One of the 1986 Eastern Final (17 November 1986).

    The new playoff system was put to use in the first season it was adopted. The final standings in 1986 produced four teams in the Western Division who qualified for the playoffs and just two in the Eastern Division. But rather than the western team crossing over to play in the Eastern Division like today, the playoff teams competed in their respective divisions.

    Here’s how it worked. The four western teams each played a division semi-final with the winners of those two games meeting in the Western Final. In the East, the top two teams – Toronto and Hamilton – competed in a two game, total point series for the Eastern Final.

    Hamilton Spectator coverage of Game One of the 1986 Eastern Final (17 November 1986).
    Hamilton Spectator coverage of Game One of the 1986 Eastern Final (17 November 1986).

    The Toronto Argonauts were 10-8 on the season while the Hamilton Tiger-Cats finished the year with a 9-8-1 record. The first game was held on Sunday November 16 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton. Turnovers plagued the Ti-Cats in Game One, infuriating Hamilton coach Al Bruno. Hamilton turned the ball over six times – five interceptions and one fumble. Ouch.

    Toronto quarterback J.C. Watts, who joined the team after being released by Ottawa midseason, went 9 for 22 and passed for 177 yards – leading the Argos to a 31-17 victory. This meant the Argonauts carried a 14-point lead into Game Two, held on Sunday November 23 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.

    Toronto Star coverage of Game Two of the 1986 Eastern Final (24 November 1986).
    Toronto Star coverage of Game Two of the 1986 Eastern Final (24 November 1986).

    In the second game, the Argos jumped to a 15-3 lead in the first quarter – or a 26-point lead total in the two-game series. Hamilton quarterback Mike Kerrigan then got to work. Going 35 for 47, Kerrigan passed for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Against all odds, Hamilton erased the 26-point deficit and outscored Toronto 42-25 to win the two game total point series 59-56.

    Hamilton Spectator coverage of Game Two of the 1986 Eastern Final (24 November 1986).
    Hamilton Spectator coverage of Game Two of the 1986 Eastern Final (24 November 1986).

    Here are some great quotes in the Hamilton and Toronto newspapers worth sharing:

    “I was never in favour of a total-point playoff series but if I ever did have any doubt, this would have convinced me.” – Toronto Argonauts head coach Bob O’Billovich

    “The Argos are such a gutless bunch. Even their owners have not guts…they want to sell the team.” – Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Harold Ballard

    “Last week I said we were so close to exploding. This week was the explosion.” – Hamilton quarterback Mike Kerrigan

    The Tiger-Cats would go on and defeat Edmonton the following week in the Grey Cup.

    Photo of Tiger-Cats head coach Al Bruno in the Hamilton Spectator after Hamilton's victory in 1986 Eastern Final (24 November 1986).
    Photo of Tiger-Cats head coach Al Bruno in the Hamilton Spectator after Hamilton’s victory in 1986 Eastern Final (24 November 1986).

    I was too young (and not yet a football fan) to recall these games. But when the Tiger-Cats had their store at the old Centre Mall in Hamilton, they used to play these two games on the big screen TV there all the time. That’s how I actually learned that the 1986 Eastern Final comprised of not one but two games.

    Would-be shoppers, as well as the curious and the nostalgic, would often wander into the store just to catch some footage of these games. And of course the talk would always turn to how the Tiger-Cats came back to win it all.

    Sources:
    Hamilton Spectator, 17 November 1986
    Hamilton Spectator, 24 November 1986
    Toronto Star, 17 November 1986
    Toronto Star, 24 November 1986

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  • 1907 IRFU Debut Game Draws Controversy On and Off the Field

    In 1907, four football clubs – Hamilton Tigers, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and Montreal Football Club – formed a new league called the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union. Up until then, the champions of the Ontario Rugby Football Union and the Quebec Rugby Football Union would usually square off for a Dominion championship. But there were otherwise no meaningful games between clubs from the two leagues. So the new league was established to become a new competition for what were considered the top teams in the ORFU and QRFU.

    Montreal Football Club players including Babe Reynolds and Ernie Russell (Montreal Star, 24 October 1907).
    Montreal Football Club players including Babe Reynolds and Ernie Russell (Montreal Star, 24 October 1907).

    On October 5, 1907, the first ever game in the new IRFU was held before a crowd of 3,000 fans at the M.A.A.A. grounds in Montreal. The home side hosted the Toronto Argonauts (kind of, sort of) in the historic matchup.

    The game attracted more attention for its controversy than historical significance, though. Both on and off the field.

    Coverage of the IRFU's first game between Montreal and Toronto (Montreal Star, 7 October 1907).
    Coverage of the IRFU’s first game between Montreal and Toronto (Montreal Star, 7 October 1907).

    While Montreal had dominated the first half of play, Toronto arguably had the upper hand in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Toronto’s Peter Flett kicked the ball on third down to Montreal’s James Craig, who returned the ball some 40 yards before either punting or fumbling the ball (I’ve read differing accounts). Toronto’s G.B. Balfour, instead of picking it up or falling on it, attempted to kick it. Montreal’s left wing substitute Babe Reynolds picked it up and scurried into Toronto’s end zone for a try. Reynolds should’ve been called offside and the touchdown disallowed. But no instant replay in those days. Toronto’s comeback attempt was over. The final score was 17-8 in favour of Montreal.

    Coverage of the IRFU's first game between Montreal and Toronto (Toronto Star, 7 October 1907).
    Coverage of the IRFU’s first game between Montreal and Toronto (Toronto Star, 7 October 1907).

    The bigger controversy happened off the field thanks to a player named Ernie Russell (of Hockey Hall of Fame fame). At the time an organization called the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union was the governing body for amateur sports in Canada. Football was still an amateur sport. And many football players at the time played other sports, as well.

    Coverage of the IRFU's first game between Montreal and Toronto (Toronto Telegraph, 7 October 1907).
    Coverage of the IRFU’s first game between Montreal and Toronto (Toronto Telegraph, 7 October 1907).

    To say the CAAU’s strict interpretation of professionalism tested the IRFU’s patience is an understatement.

    The CAAU deemed a player to be professional even if he simply played with or against a professional player. It is this rule that caused Ernie Russell to be “professionalized” by the CAAU. While Russell had sworn an affidavit that he was an amateur player having never taken money himself, he still didn’t receive clearance by the CAAU by the time the Argonauts arrived in Montreal.

    Rather than risk losing amateur status for the Argonaut Rowing Club, the Argonaut players cleverly rebranded themselves as the “Torontos” for the IRFU debut game.

    In hindsight, the CAAU flexed its muscle a bit too much here. Other IRFU teams simply decided to proceed without the sanction of the amateur athletic union. In time, of course, the IRFU would become a fully professional league anyway. And the CAAU would soon cease to even exist.

    Article about the new IRFU proceeding with games despite row with the CAAU (Toronto Star, 8 October 1907).
    Article about the new IRFU proceeding with games despite row with the CAAU (Toronto Star, 8 October 1907).

    So, what should have been a day of celebration for the new Interprovincial Rugby Football Union was largely overshadowed by a blown call by the referees and a nasty public spat with the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union.

    Sources:
    Montreal Star, 7 October 1907
    Toronto Star, 7 October 1907
    Toronto Star, 8 October 1907
    Toronto Telegram, 7 October 1907

  • Ken Hinton Sets Record for Longest Kick Return in CFL History

    They say records are made to be broken. But they aren’t talking about this one. The record I am writing about today is all but certain to remain in the books for as long as there’s a Canadian Football League.

    Ken Hinton

    Ken Hinton was born in Los Angeles, California and played his college football at San Diego State before joining the British Columbia Lions in 1977. It was during his rookie year that the cornerback made history in the CFL.

    On September 24, 1977, the B.C. Lions hosted the Edmonton Eskimos. B.C. was a highly talented team, sitting in first place in the Western Division. In the lead up to the game, Hinton wasn’t even guaranteed to be on the Lions’ star-studded roster. The Lions were trying to make room to get defensive back Rocky Long back in the lineup, and Hinton was considered the favourite to be sidelined to make that possible.

    Article by Kent Gilchrist in the Province about Ken Hinton’s 130 yard kick return (26 September 1977).

    Nevertheless, Hinton, who was one of the fastest defensive backs in the league, certainly showed the 32,419 fans at Empire Stadium why he should play. In the waning minutes of the game, the young speedster caught a wide field goal attempt by Edmonton’s Dave Cutler. Hinton took off from deep in his end zone and returned the ball 130 yards to score a touchdown. The exciting play sealed the deal for the Lions who won the game 30-13.

    Article by Wayne Parrish in the Vancouver Sun about Ken Hinton’s 130 yard kick return (26 September 1977).

    The 130-yard kick return was possible because in those days the CFL’s end zones were 25 yards in length. The end zones were shortened to 20 yards in the 1980s, and with a further reduction to 15 yards in 2027 the record set by Ken Hinton in 1977 will never be broken.

    Hinton played nine seasons in the CFL, six of those with the Lions and the other three with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

    Sources:
    The Province, 26 September 1977
    The Vancouver Sun, 27 September 1977
    The Vancouver Sun, 28 September 1977

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