1953   (73 years ago) Tom Towns, Ottawa Rough Riders’ linebacker in 1985, born at Rosetown, Saskatchewan. 1955   (71 years ago) Ottawa Rough Riders signed Don King, ex of the Cleveland Browns.  That rankled NFL Commissioner Bert Bell, but Ottawa General Manager Jim McCaffrey said King played with the Browns the previous season, but only had...Read More

1951   (75 years ago) Ex-Baltimore Colts Coach, Clem Crowe, was in Ottawa to speak to the Rough Riders executive about the open Head Coach position.  The Ottawa officials described the interview as “very satisfactory.” 1956   (70 years ago) Ottawa Rough Riders announced the signing of three US College players; Ken Vargo, a centre and linebacker...Read More

1954   (72 years ago) The entire Western Conference, joined at least with Ottawa Rough Riders and Montreal Alouettes football clubs, will support a move to have 12 imports used in East and West this year.  However, they are definitely in favour of making the 12 include any U.S. players who now enjoy Canadian status and...Read More

1956   (69 years ago) The Ottawa Journal’s Sports Editor, Bill Westwick, in his daily column, estimated that the Ottawa Rough Riders may have turned in excess of $20,000 profit during the 1956 season.  He stated that the Rough Riders have enjoyed the most successful season financially in Ottawa football history.  Part of the fortunate position...Read More

1951   (74 years ago) Fans sent the Ottawa Rough Riders off to Toronto in quest of the Grey Cup against the Regina Roughriders with a parade through the uptown streets. 1965   (60 years ago) Eight Ottawa Rough Riders’ players were named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team selected by the Football Reporters of Canada. They...Read More

Birthdays-Today October 7 1969   (56 years ago) Joe Sardo, Ottawa Rough Riders’ linebacker in 1992 and 1993, was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Birthdays-October 13 1937   (88 years ago) Moe Racine, Ottawa Rough Riders offensive tackle and place kicker from born at Cornwall, Ontario.  He passed away at Ottawa on March 4, 2018, at age 80....Read More

BIRTHDAYS (TODAY) – SEPTEMBER 2 1936   (89 years ago) Dave Thelen, Ottawa Rough Riders fullback, born at East Canton, Ohio. At the Huddle there was a birthday celebration with Canadian Football Hall of Fame Dave, wife Bonnie, and daughter Lana and son-in-law Scott. There was a candle in the hamburger bun and the birthday song!...Read More

1957   (68 years today) Ottawa Rough Riders re-signed Lou Bruce.  The club was also casting around for a pair of shoulder pads big enough to fit 6-4”, 265 lb. lineman Tom Jones. 1965   (60 years today) Red 38 Whites 15 in the Ottawa Rough Riders intra-squad game.  Head Coach Frank Clair was not a fan...Read More

1938 (87 years ago) Gene Gaines, Ottawa Rough Riders’ defensive back from 1962 to 1969, born at Los Angeles, California. He passed away at Los Angeles on July 6, 2023 at age 85. 1963 (62 years ago) Ottawa Rough Riders signed end Ted Watkins from University of Pacific and Canadian/American defensive back Larry DeGraw from...Read More

1973 (52 years ago) (April 21) Hal Ledyard, Ottawa Rough Riders’ quarterback from 1956 to 1958, drowned while on vacation with his wife at Pfeiffer State Beach near Big Sur, California. He was 41 years of age. 1974 (51 years ago) (April 23) Andy Tommy, Ottawa Rough Riders’ halfback and flying wing in the 1930s...Read More