Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League includes two divisions and nine teams, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, and BC Lions (West Division) and Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Redblacks (East Division).
History and Developments
The history of Canadian football and the Canadian Football League begins in 1860 but it was only in the 1950s when WIFU and IRFU, the two senior leagues, became professional-level leagues. The Canadian Football Council was founded in 1956 as an umbrella organization of the two leagues. The CFL left two years later and by 1981 comprised 9 branches or franchises – the Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Rough Riders, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, etc.
Teams and Divisions
The West Division includes 5 teams, among which the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Edmonton Eskimos, which are publicly owned. The Calgary Stampeders are owned by Calgary Sports and Entertainment while David Braley is the owner of BC Lions. The East Division includes 4 teams, the oldest of which is the Toronto Argonauts, founded in 1873 and owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The Ottawa Redblacks are owned by Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and were founded in 2014, which makes it the newest team in the division. The Montreal Alouettes are owned by Bob Wetenhall and were founded in 1996 while the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are owned by Bob Young and were founded in 1950. When it comes to wins and losses, the Edmonton Eskimos have the most wins (11), followed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7) and the Toronto Argonauts (7).
Dissolved and Defunct Teams in Canada
There are defunct teams as well as teams that dissolved and never played. The Atlantic Schooners, for example, is a team that dissolved and the reason was lack of stadium. Defunct teams include the Ottawa Rough Riders and Ottawa Renegades.
Top Canadian Football Players
The list of top Canadian football players includes Mike Pringle (running back), Warren Moon (quarterback), George Reed (running back), Doug Flutie (quarterback), and many others. Jackie Parker who made top 5 played for the Edmonton Eskimos as a placekicker, defensive back, running back, and quarterback. George Reed played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders between 1963 and 1975 while Mike Pringle played for the Edmonton Eskimos, Montreal Alouettes, Baltimore Stallions, and Sacramento Gold Miners between 1954 and 1968. Doug Flutie is ranked number 1 in the list and is a former UCFL, CFL, and NFL quarterback. Recipient of the Heisman Trophy, Doug Flutie played for the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos, and BC Lions between 1990 and 1997. The list of top players also includes names such as John Helton (defensive lineman), Danny Kepley (linebacker), Allen Pitts (slotback), Garney Henley (wide receiver and defensive back), and many others.
The Canadian Professional Football Officials Association
The CFOA or Canadian Football Officials Association is a body founded by amateur football officials in 1969. The regional directorship of the association consists of 5 directors for the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and British Columbia and Alberta. The directors also serve as Vice-Presidents, Secretary Treasurer, and President. The list of member associations is quite long and includes Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, and other provinces and territories. Member associations are the Edmonton Football Officials Association, Calgary Football Officials Association, Kingston Football Officials Association, and others.