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Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Feelings come 'roaring back' for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY - Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. 'That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though,' the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. 'So many fond memories, so emotional too,' said Flutie. 'I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. 'It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage.' The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. 'I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun,' Flutie said. 'When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. 'You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing.' Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. 'He taught me the CFL game, the passing game,' Flutie said. 'In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. 'Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?' Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. 'Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever,' Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. 'My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other,' Flutie said. 'Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Feelings come "roaring back" for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY — Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. Advertisement "That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though," the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. "So many fond memories, so emotional too," said Flutie. "I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. Advertisement "It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage." The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. Advertisement "I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun," Flutie said. "When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. "You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing." Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Advertisement Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. "He taught me the CFL game, the passing game," Flutie said. "In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. "Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?" Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Advertisement Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. "Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever," Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. "My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other," Flutie said. "Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Feelings come 'roaring back' for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY – Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. 'That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though,' the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. 'So many fond memories, so emotional too,' said Flutie. 'I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. 'It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage.' The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. 'I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun,' Flutie said. 'When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. 'You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing.' Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. 'He taught me the CFL game, the passing game,' Flutie said. 'In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. 'Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?' Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever,' Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. 'My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other,' Flutie said. 'Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Feelings come 'roaring back' for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY - Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. 'That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though,' the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. 'So many fond memories, so emotional too,' said Flutie. 'I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. 'It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage.' The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun,' Flutie said. 'When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. 'You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing.' Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. 'He taught me the CFL game, the passing game,' Flutie said. 'In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?' Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. 'Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever,' Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. 'My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other,' Flutie said. 'Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Ticats veteran quarterback Mitchell poised to reach 100-win milestone
HAMILTON - Bo Levi Mitchell is poised to join a very select group. The veteran quarterback chases his 100th career CFL regular-season win Saturday when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit the Calgary Stampeders in the season opener for both teams. And the Katy, Tex., native can achieve the milestone faster than any other player in league history. When Mitchell reaches the 100-win plateau, he'll become just the 10th player to do so and move into a tie with Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan for ninth all-time. A victory at McMahon would not only be Mitchell's first, it would come in his 141st career start, ahead of Hall of Famer Ron Lancaster (149). Ninety of Mitchell's wins came with Calgary (2012-22). He led the Stampeders to two Grey Cups (2014, 2018) and was twice named the CFL's outstanding player (2016, 2018) before being dealt to Hamilton. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'It means a lot just in general because I've always prided myself on winning,' Mitchell said. 'I've never been the most accurate, most efficient guy every game but for me it's always show up in the fourth quarter … when the right play needs to be made, making that play to help put your team in a position to win. 'I've been blessed to be part of many great teams and many of those obviously were in Calgary and so it would mean a lot to do it in that building. But our job is to start 1-0 and that's what we're focused on.' Anthony Calvillo has the most all-time wins (167), just ahead of Damon Allen (163). Mitchell, 35, returned to form in 2024 when he led the CFL in passing (5,451 yards) and TDs (32). More importantly, he appeared in all 18 regular-season games after injuries limited him to just six appearances in 2023. Still, Hamilton (7-11) finished fourth in the East Division to miss the playoffs. Scott Milanovich begins his second season as Hamilton's head coach/offensive co-ordinator. Ted Goveia was hired as GM to replace Ed Hervey, who left to rejoin the Edmonton Elks. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In a story posted Friday on the club's website, Goveia, 55, revealed in April he was diagnosed 'with a serious form of cancer that's spread,' and will undergo treatment. The form of the disease wasn't divulged, but two sources said Goveia is battling Esophageal cancer. Goveia, who spent 11 seasons in Winnipeg's front office, didn't look far to tweak a Hamilton offence that last year led the CFL in net yards (406.1 per game), passing (332.1 yards), TD strikes (35) and was second in offensive points (26.5 per game) and TDs (52). Offensive lineman Liam Dobson, running back Johnny Augustine and receivers Drew Wolitarsky and Kenny Lawler — all former Bombers — were all signed as free agents, although Wolitarsky (ankle) opens the season on the injured list. Lawler and Wolitarsky joined a Hamilton receiving corps that included veteran Tim White (74 catches, 1,164 yards, eight TDs), Canadian Kiondre Smith (74 catches, 933 yards, seven TDs) and sophomore Shemar Bridges (83 catches, 933 yards, four TDs). Augustine backs up Greg Bell (625 yards, six TDs, 29 catches, 230 yards, TD), the full-time starter after platooning last season with James Butler (now with B.C.). 'I feel like we're way ahead of where we were last year,' Mitchell said. 'You can tell in the way Scott is talking to us he's more confident in what we're doing as a group, as a full unit … knowing what he's thinking. 'Me and him just being on the same page a lot more, on my side just seeing what he sees before he has to tell me.' Goveia's other off-season priority was shoring up Hamilton's secondary as he added veteran halfbacks DaShaun Amos (Toronto), Branden Dozier (Calgary) and Reggie Stubblefield (Montreal). Amos reunites with Ticats cornerback Jamal Peters as the two won a Grey Cup together with Toronto in 2022. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Stubblefield (knee) also misses the season opener. Veteran kicker Marc Liegghio and punter Nikolas Constantinou both return. Given the combination of returning players and off-season talent added, it would appear Hamilton's early strength will be its offence. However, Milanovich didn't quite see it that way. 'The team needs to be the strength,' he said. 'I thought we played good defence in the pre-season and I feel good about all three phases right now.' 2024 record: 7-11, fourth, East Division Did you know?: Hamilton last won the Grey Cup in 1999 and sports the CFL's longest championship drought. Key additions: WRs Kenny Lawler and Drew Wolitarsky (both Winnipeg), OL Liam Dobson (Winnipeg), RB Johnny Augustine (Winnipeg), DB DaShaun Amos (Toronto). Key losses: OL David Beard (Edmonton), RB James Butler (released, now with B.C.), WR Steven Dunbar Jr. (Edmonton). Players to watch: Mitchell, WR Tim White, RB Greg Bell, DL Casey Sayles, CB Jamal Peters. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
