It’s all about the stories
Hall of Fame inductees’ careers as interesting as they were prolific
WINNIPEG — First the old guys, the next class of Canadian Football Hall of Famers.
Then the 53 stars of today enter for their TSN filming, media interview sessions and endless opportunities for fans to interact with them.
Then the stars of tomorrow take over in the CFL combine.
It wasn’t planned that way. But it’s the way it worked out with CFL Week. And it works.
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 was introduced in the first official event of the week here on Wednesday evening.
The class featured relatively recent retirees Scott Flory, Baron Miles, Brent Johnson as well as Hank Ilesic, retired for 17 years now, 1960s Canadian quarterback Frank Cosentino elected as a builder, deceased veterans category player Tom Hugo and amateur Paul Brule.
Hall of Fame executive director Mark DeNobile called it a special pleasure to have the honour to make the phone calls to inform the players of their selection.
“It’s a group of men who had standout careers marked by incredible stories,” he said.
“Scott was one of the most decorated offensive linemen ever over a 15-year career. Hank broke into the league as a Grade 11 high school student. Brent defied the conventional thinking of his era when he proved a Canadian could dominate the game at defensive end. Barron amassed an amazing 66 interceptions and a record 13 blocked kicks. Frank played, coached, wrote and taught about the games as a leading academic and Canadian football’s ‘professor emeritis.’ Tom played seven seasons with the Montreal Alouettes and won 12 all-star selections in the 1950s era of two-way football — seven on offence and five on defence. Paul dominated university football in the 1960s and once had eight touchdowns in a single game.”
The Blue Bombers fans at the Pinnacle Room at Investors Field on this night gave them a group hug.
“It’s been almost six years away from football for me and to be called back for this is a surreal moment for me.” said Johnson, the B.C. Lion from Kingston, Ont., who was twice named the CFL’s most outstanding player.
“When you play, you never even think about the Hall of Fame. When Mark DeNobile gave me the call, I was kind of lost for words. When our conversation was over, I started thinking about all the people who helped me. I definitely didn’t do this by myself.”
“I was blown away,” said Flory, a native of Regina who played 15 seasons for the Alouettes and twice was selected the league’s most outstanding offensive lineman. “I was shocked and I was humbled.”
Added Miles, who played 189 games with the Als and Lions: “I always thought I was a Hall of Famer anyways. Whenever you talked about defensive backs, I wanted to be mentioned. And to be here today to be announced for the Hall of Fame kind of takes care of that.”
DeNobile said he was delighted that this class could be honoured on Introduction Day as they were here on Wednesday night.
“I love this event,” he said of the double whammy it provides for the new Hall of Famers, an introduction day to be followed on Sept. 14 in Hamilton with the official ceremony and the unveiling of their busts. That will be followed the next day by the annual Hall of Fame game between the Calgary Stampeders and the Ticats.
“It highlights the individuals in a very special way. Having the media here for the week really helps give them their selection the notice it deserves and didn’t always get in the past,” he added of previous introductions by press release.
“It’s a first-class event and very well-received by those being inducted.”
DeNobile hopes the busts of the Class of 2018 will be housed in the new Hall of Fame located at Tim Hortons Field by the end of this season.
“We are working closely with the City of Hamilton to get the Hall of Fame up and working for the fans to walk through during the season,” he said.