It's interesting to note that Kenny Washington, the first "modern" black player in the NFL (there were a few blacks in the early years before the league became segregated), had been a teammate at UCLA of Jackie Robinson. Both were on UCLA's baseball and football teams. Washington signed with the Los Angeles Rams in early 1946, shortly after the Rams moved from Cleveland. He was soon joined on the Rams by another former UCLA teammate, Woody Strode (better known now for his acting career)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Washington_(American_football)
Thankfully that segregationist attitude changed, but wouldn't you know, it was the drive for profits that did it.
Team owners here in the US, both baseball and football, finally realized that black players were a major talent pool that was untapped. So it proved.
African Americans have played prominent roles in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and its precursors since 1946. In many cases black Americans have been able to pursue professional football opportunities in the CFL that were for one reason or another unavailable in the United States. Especially in the mid-20th century, many African American players came to Canada to avoid the racially charged atmosphere of segregation-era America. For many years, blacks were better represented in the CFL than they were in the National Football League (NFL), and achieved a number of "firsts" in the CFL years before the same was accomplished in the NFL. More recently, the CFL has provided opportunities for black, as well as other, Americans unable to break into the NFL.
There is photographic evidence that Robert "Stonewall" Jackson was the first African-American player, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in 1930. He was a porter with the railways and is in a team picture from that year.
"The animosity between the two dates back to the 1963 Grey Cup game, when Mosca hit running back Willie Fleming with a shot that many – including Kapp – felt was dirty. It knocked Fleming from the game, which the Ticats won 21-10. Kapp refused to shake Mosca’s hand afterward."
I believe Fleming was one of the first black CFL players, and that was part of the issue...plus I think Mosca or his teammates had said something before the game about trying to take Fleming out during the game. As it was, Mosca hit him when he was about 10-15 feet out of bounds long after the play ended; today Mosca probably would have been kicked out the game (and fined / suspended).
MiningmanThings got a bit ugly https://youtu.be/cyoEcbk3EP0 https://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/joe-kapp-the-c-f-l-and-a-48-year-old-grudge/
https://youtu.be/cyoEcbk3EP0
https://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/joe-kapp-the-c-f-l-and-a-48-year-old-grudge/
Didn't realize that Kapp was the HC for Cal in 'the Band Game'.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Miningman Things got a bit ugly https://youtu.be/cyoEcbk3EP0 https://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/joe-kapp-the-c-f-l-and-a-48-year-old-grudge/
Things got a bit ugly
Man, talk about holding a grudge! There's something a bit undignified about two old farts dukin' it out like that.
Hey, even old Johnny Rebs and Billy Yanks didn't carry on like that when their paths crossed in later years!
"Earl Grey" tea was named after the second Earl Grey, the son of a British general who served in the American Revolution and the first Earl Grey.
The first Earl Grey got the nick-name of "No-Flint" Grey, for his policy of having his troops remove the flints from their muskets prior to night attacks where the bayonet, and bayonet only, was to be used. The Earl didn't want any accidental discharges that would spoil the stealth.
Here he is...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Grey,_1st_Earl_Grey#/media/File:1stEarlGrey.jpg
Flintlock76 Miningman Ya but did Stanley have a brewski made after him? Regardless, this beer sounds really terrible ... surplus loafs? Well, you have to do something with the bread after it goes stale, don't you? "Waste not, want not!" You know, given the choice of a peerage or having a beer named after me I'd rather have the beer! Most peers are unknown to the public, but most everyone can rattle off the names of beer brands with no trouble at all!
Miningman Ya but did Stanley have a brewski made after him? Regardless, this beer sounds really terrible ... surplus loafs?
Ya but did Stanley have a brewski made after him?
Regardless, this beer sounds really terrible ... surplus loafs?
Well, you have to do something with the bread after it goes stale, don't you?
"Waste not, want not!"
You know, given the choice of a peerage or having a beer named after me I'd rather have the beer! Most peers are unknown to the public, but most everyone can rattle off the names of beer brands with no trouble at all!
Is this the same Earl Grey the tea was named after?
If not it was his father or grandfather or even son...
Peter
I remember when CFL Hall-of-Famer "King Kong" Mosca used to wrestle here in Minneapolis - St.Paul, back in the American Wrestling Association days. I went to one match where (for some reason) he and his opponent Larry "The Ax" Hennig wore football helmets in the ring. IIRC Mosca wore a Hamilton Tiger-Cats helmet, and Hennig wore the helmet of the Normandale Community College Lions because his son Curt Hennig played for them. It stands out because at the time I was a student at Normandale (in Bloomington MN).
BTW seems to me our former Viking QB Joe Kapp, had a fight with Mosca at a Grey Cup reunion dinner or something just a couple of years ago?
Bud Grant is virtually a household name in the Dominion. A real champion for the CFL.
The Calgary Stampede organizers took full advantage of Calgarys football team 'The Stampeders' at their first Grey Cup appearance. Smart play on their part. At minimum a free $100,000 worth of advertising space.
Two of my fellow Golden Gopher alums have done pretty well coaching in Grey Cup games - Marc Trestman won 3 times, Bud Grant 4.
1948 Grey Cup
With all due respects, Lord Grey's contribution to Canadian sportsmanship barely exists next to Lord Stanley's contribution.
CNR special University football train between Saskatchewan and Alberta on then off.
Thanks to Mike for providing train related Grey Cup items. Enjoy!
Grey Matter
BaltACD Baltimore Stallions Grey Cup Champions 1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4w24_DdJMk
Baltimore Stallions Grey Cup Champions 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4w24_DdJMk
Always nice to see Calgary lose!
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers ended a 29 year drought tonight, beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-12.
Guess I can't call the place Loserpeg anymore.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
MiningmanGrey Cup Day across the land. The 107th final for Canadian Football League supremacy. It's akin to the USA's SuperBowl. Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Both teams have droughts dating from '99 and '90 so someone's long wait will end. The game is being played in Calgary this year. Keith Urban is the half time show. Gonna be a hoot. I actually got Bernie Faloneys autograph, maybe 1958, on a 8x 10 glossy. He made an appearance for a promotional event where my Dad worked.
The game is being played in Calgary this year. Keith Urban is the half time show. Gonna be a hoot.
I actually got Bernie Faloneys autograph, maybe 1958, on a 8x 10 glossy.
He made an appearance for a promotional event where my Dad worked.
Grey Cup Day across the land. The 107th final for Canadian Football League supremacy. It's akin to the USA's SuperBowl. Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Both teams have droughts dating from '99 and '90 so someone's long wait will end.
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