Former Riders Headline Canadian Football Hall of Fame 2020 Class

Former Riders Headline Canadian Football Hall of Fame 2020 Class

Published: Thursday, Jul 16th 2020, 4:07pm

By Alex Dormuth (@RealAlexD)

 

We all knew it was going to happen this year, but that won’t stop me from being excited for Henry Burris to headline the 2020 class of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductees.

 

Along with Burris, O-Lineman Fred Childress, O-Lineman Clyde Brock, Builder (Current Calgary Stampeders President and General Manager) John Hufnagel, Larry Uteck (Builder, posthumously) and Greg Vavra (amateur player) all get the call to the hall this year.

 

FOUR Saskatchewan Rider ties! Of course, Burris had 2 stops here in Saskatchewan, Childress finished off his career in Saskatchewan, Brock spent 12 seasons in green and white and Hufnagel spent time in Saskatchewan as a player and a coach in the 1980s. 

 

I can’t express how happy I am for Henry Burris. I’m fortunate that through my job, I’m able to deal with Hank often and let me tell you, he is an absolute delight! He’s ALWAYS in a good mood, always accommodating and he is just truly a good man. I wanted him to stay in Saskatchewan so damn bad after the 2004 season. I felt he had unfinished business here… I truly believe if he didn’t go to Calgary, the Riders would have more than 4 Grey Cups to their name. 

 

That said, the rivalry that came out of Hank leaving to Calgary was an era I will personally never forget. Those teams simply HATED each other and it was fun to be a part of. Yes, I chanted HEEENNNNNNNRRRYYYYY at Taylor Field, but even then, I still liked the guy. I’m probably in the minority in Saskatchewan when I say this, but the CFL is just better with Henry Burris involved! Oh and his stats prove he was one of the best QBs to ever do it, so not only is he a Hall of Fame person, but he has a Hall of Fame career to match!

 

Fred Childress, The Big Chill. Man this guy was GOOD. When he came to Saskatchewan in 2004, I just remember how BIG he was. He was paired up with Gene Makowsky, Jeremy O’Day and Andrew Greene on that O-Line… just wow. 

 

Clyde Brock was originally a 2nd round pick in the NFL, but found his way up to Saskatchewan in 1964, was a member of the Grey Cup winning team in 66 and was a CFL All-Star four consecutive years from 66-69 at Right Tackle. 

 

John Hufnagel won’t be remembered for his time in Saskatchewan, but will go down as one of the greatest team architects in CFL history. What he has done with the Calgary Stampeders since taking over there in 2008 is nothing short of remarkable. Year in and year out, the Stamps are loaded with talent and are generally the team to beat. 

 

A lot of Saskatchewan ties in this year’s class, all of them very deserving of the induction. Congrats, Class of 2020!