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 is that the Big Four increased the road expenses from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The Riders benefitted by approximately $13,000. Also contributing was TV revenue as well as an increase in fan attendance.
1966 (59 years ago)
Dick Waring, a quarterback from Bowling Green University, signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders. He was visiting the Riders’ quarters. He is actually a Canadian born in Sarnia, Ontario. He started out his college career at University of Detroit. Also hoping to sign with the Riders was Eric Vivian who has been attending Lenoir Rhyme College and is described as a “rocky defensive type.”
1973 (52 years ago)
In the voting by Canadian Press for Canada’s Team of the Year, the Ottawa Rough Riders, Grey Cup champions, placed third in the voting behind the Montreal Expos and the Montreal Canadiens.
1977 (48 years ago)
Art Green, who led the Eastern Conference of the Canadian Football League in rushing in 1975 and 1976 with the Ottawa Rough Riders, and who played out his option in 1976 and was unsuccessful in attempts to latch on with the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, told Rough Riders Head Coach George Brancato that he was interested in returning to the club.
1978 (47 years ago)
Terry Kielty, Ottawa Rough Riders President, had his offer to re-sign Frank Clair rejected. Clair would be one of a four-man management team to manipulate the team’s fortunes that could mean Clair would not be the team’s General Manager any longer. That post is now in the hands of Jake Dunlap.
1984 (41 years ago)
Jim Daley, Ottawa Rough Riders’ Special Teams Coordinator, Running Backs Coach and Defensive Line Coach over the seasons 1991 to 1993, was hired as Head Coach of University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. His Ottawa Sooners were this past season’s Canadian junior champions.
1991 (34 years ago)
Mike Riley was in Ottawa to talk to the Ottawa Rough Riders about the head coach’s job, which the whole world knew was his for the asking. He won Grey Cups in 1988 and 1990 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers while also winning the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL’s Coach of the Year in the same seasons.
1994 (31 years ago)
The Canadian Football League, namely Commissioner Larry Smith and League Chairman John Tory, announced that the Ottawa Rough Riders must sell 10,000 additional season tickets and raise $1M in corporate sponsorship by January 31, or it will fold the team. At the same time, the league will use those six weeks to seek new investors. Current owner, Bruce Firestone, will not be involved in the new ownership if it happens.
2005 (20 years ago)
Quarterback Kerry Joseph is poised to return to the Ottawa Renegades next season as the four-year veteran and the club reached an agreement in principle to a $2M, five-year contract extension.
2013 (12 years ago)
Rick Campbell, Head Coach of the Ottawa RedBlacks, filled out his coaching staff by naming Mike Gibson, Offensive Coordinator, Mike Nelson, Defensive Coordinator, Don Yanowski, Special Teams Coordinator and running backs coach, Marcus Crandell, quarterbacks coach, Travis Moore, receivers coach, Ike Charlton, defensive backs coordinator, Jordan Maksymic, Offensive Assistant and Derek Oswalt, Defensive Assistant.
2016 (9 years ago)
Postmedia’s Team of the Year for 2016 was Canada’s women’s soccer team garnering 37.9 per cent of the vote. Second were the Toronto Raptors. Third were the Toronto Blue Jays. Fourth was Team Canada women’s rugby team and fifth was the Ottawa RedBlacks, winners of the 2016 Grey Cup with 6.9 per cent of the vote.
2019 (6 years ago)
Paul LaPolice, the new Head Coach of the Ottawa RedBlacks, added five-year veteran Alex Suber as the team’s new receivers coach.
2021 (4 years ago)
Shawn Burke, new General Manager of the Ottawa RedBlacks, held an introductory zoom call press conference. Jo-Anne Polak, former General Manager of the Ottawa Rough Riders, introduced Burke.
BIRTHDAYS
(DECEMBER 20)
1969 (56 years ago)
Robert Stevenson, Ottawa Rough Riders offensive lineman in 1996, born at Pensacola, Florida.
1979 (46 years ago)
Crance Clemons, Ottawa Renegades defensive back in 2003 and 2005, born at Mission Viejo, California.
