At every CFLOAA Huddle, on the first Tuesday of most months at Local Heroes, Jim McAuley the Ottawa Sports Historian entertains everyone with his research into what happened on a day in that month in Ottawa Football History. Since we always meet on the first Tuesday of the month, Jim has started to select dates later in the month, so he does not duplicate what he has presented at earlier Huddles.
1960 (64 years today)
Tom Dimitroff, Ottawa Rough Riders’ quarterback in 1957 and 1958, signed with New York Titans of American Football League.
1967 (57 years today)
Ottawa Rough Riders claimed DB Jackie Simpson off waivers from the Montreal Alouettes. They also announced the signing of returnees Mike Blum, Billy Joe Booth, Ted Collins, Larry DeGraw, Gene Gaines, Bob O’Billovich, Bo Scott, Marshall Shirk, Whit Tucker and Ted Watkins. They also announced the signing of newcomers Earl Edwards, Wayne Giardino, Allen Ische and Eric Vivian.
1967 (57 years today)
Russ Jackson received the Knights of Pythias Award as the Canadian athlete who did most to combat juvenile delinquency in 1966.
1976 (48 years today)
Baltimore Colts signed former Ottawa Rough Riders’ quarterback, Rick Cassata, as a free agent.
1993 (31 years today)
Stephen Jones re-signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders for his fourth season.
1995 (29 years today)
Wide receiver Ray Alexander signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders for in excess of $85,000 it is believed. He signed with the Riders after failing to come to an extension with this former club, the British Columbia Lions.
2015 (9 years today)
Ottawa Redblacks selected Alex Mateas with their first overall pick in CFL Draft. He was 6’-4, 309 lbs. from the University of Connecticut. He was a local product having attended Merivale High School. Their second pick was University of Calgary product, Jake Harty.
2016 (8 years today)
Ottawa Redblacks released their new home jerseys for the upcoming season. Media especially enjoyed the change to white numerals trimmed with red. They were more favourable than the previous red numerals which made it difficult to make out some numbers.
BIRTHDAYS (MAY 12)
1946 (78 years today)
Barry ‘The Pup’ Ardern, Ottawa Rough Riders’ defensive back from 1968 to 1973 (70 games played), born at Ottawa, Ontario.
1972 (52 years today)
Chris Keneally, Ottawa Rough Riders’ tackle from 1994 to 1996, born at Aberdeen, Maryland.
PASSINGS (MAY 12)
1968 (56 years today)
Art (Sarge) Sargeant, Ottawa Rough Riders’ trainer from 1960 to 1967, passed away at his home in Ottawa at the age of 53.
1996 (28 years today)
Sam Scoccia, Ottawa Rough Riders’ lineman from 1956 to 1965, passed away at Hamilton, Ontario at age 67.
