Calgary Stampeders facts for kids
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| Founded | January 24, 1945 |
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| Based in | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Home field | McMahon Stadium (1960–present) Mewata Park Stadium (1945–1959) |
| Head coach | Dave Dickenson |
| General manager | Dave Dickenson |
| Owner(s) | Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation |
| League | Canadian Football League |
| Division | West |
| Colours | Red, white, black |
| Nickname(s) | Stamps, Horsemen |
| Mascot(s) | Ralph the Dog |
| Grey Cup wins | 8 (1948, 1971, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2014, 2018) |
| Current uniform | |
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2025 Calgary Stampeders seasonThe Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team from Calgary, Alberta. They play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium. They are the fifth oldest team still active in the CFL. The team was officially started in 1945. However, football clubs had been playing in Calgary since the 1890s.
The Calgary Stampeders have won eight Grey Cup championships. Their most recent win was in 2018. They have played in 17 Grey Cup Championship games in total. The team has also won 20 Western Division Championships. They have a big rivalry with the Edmonton Elks from their home province. They also have strong rivalries with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions.
Contents
- Team Facts: Get to Know the Stamps!
- Team History: From Early Days to Champions
- Football in Calgary: The Early Years (1891–1940)
- The Stampeders Begin: An Undefeated Season (1945–1959)
- A New Home: McMahon Stadium (1960–1971)
- Tough Times and a Comeback (1972–1989)
- The Wally Buono Era: Many Wins (1990–2002)
- New Coaches and Owners (2003–2007)
- The Hufnagel Years: More Championships (2008–2015)
- Dave Dickenson Takes Over (2016–Present)
- Grey Cup Championships: The Big Wins
- Honoured Players: Hall of Famers and Retired Numbers
- Team Leadership: Coaches and Managers
- Current Team: Coaches and Roster
- More Information
- Awesome Facts About the Stampeders
- See also
Team Facts: Get to Know the Stamps!
- Founded: 1945
- Helmet Design: Red background with a white, running horse. This design has been used since 1967.
- Uniform Colours: Red, white, and black.
- Nicknames: Stamps, Horsemen.
- Mascot: Ralph the Dog.
- Fight Song: "Ye Men of Calgary".
- Stadium: McMahon Stadium.
- Main Rivals: Edmonton Elks (this is called the Battle of Alberta), Saskatchewan Roughriders, BC Lions.
- Grey Cup Championships: 8 wins (1948, 1971, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2014, 2018).
- 2023 Regular Season Record: 6 wins, 12 losses.
Team History: From Early Days to Champions
Football in Calgary: The Early Years (1891–1940)
Before the Stampeders formed in 1945, football was played in Calgary as early as 1891. In that year, a team from Edmonton beat Calgary 6–5. Over the years, different Calgary teams played, like the Calgary Tigers and the Calgary Bronks. These teams were very strong in Alberta football. They won the Alberta Rugby Football Union championship 15 times. Football stopped in Calgary during World War II in 1940. None of these older teams are part of the Stampeders' official history.
The Stampeders Begin: An Undefeated Season (1945–1959)
The Calgary Stampeders officially started on September 29, 1945. Their first game was on October 20 at Mewata Stadium. They beat the Regina Roughriders 12–0 in front of 4,000 fans. This was a sign of the success to come. Coach Les Lear led the team with talented players like Woody Strode and Norman Kwong.
The year 1948 was amazing for the Stamps. They had a perfect regular season, winning all 12 games. They also won the Grey Cup against the Ottawa Rough Riders. This game was famous for a "sleeper play" touchdown. During that Grey Cup, Calgary fans started many traditions. They held pancake breakfasts and even rode a horse into a hotel lobby!
The Stampeders reached the Grey Cup again in 1949 but lost to the Montreal Alouettes. It took 19 years for them to get back to the Grey Cup. They lost in 1968 but won in 1971 against the Toronto Argonauts. In 1958, the Stampeders joined the new Canadian Football League (CFL).
A New Home: McMahon Stadium (1960–1971)
In 1960, the Stampeders moved to their new home, McMahon Stadium. Their first game there was on August 15, 1960. They lost 38–23 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. From 1968 to 1971, the Stampeders played in the Grey Cup three times. They won the championship in 1971.
Tough Times and a Comeback (1972–1989)
After their 1971 Grey Cup win, the Stampeders faced many challenges. From 1972 to 1989, they only made the playoffs seven times. They nearly stopped playing after the 1985 season because of money problems and low attendance. But fans launched a "Save Our Stamps" campaign in 1986. This campaign sold 22,400 season tickets and brought in more money. This helped the team get back on track. They won their first playoff game since 1979 in 1990. They then reached the Grey Cup in 1991 and won it in 1992.
The Wally Buono Era: Many Wins (1990–2002)
Wally Buono became the head coach in 1990. In 1991, the team became privately owned. The next 13 years were very successful for the Stampeders. They had a great record of 153 wins, 79 losses, and 2 ties. Key players included quarterbacks Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, and Dave Dickenson. They reached the Grey Cup six times, winning in 1992, 1998, and 2001.
In 2001, Michael Feterik bought the team. He was very involved in the team's operations. He even made his son, Kevin Feterik, the starting quarterback, which made fans and Coach Buono unhappy. Wally Buono left the team after the 2002 season.
New Coaches and Owners (2003–2007)
After Wally Buono left, the Stampeders had three different head coaches in three years. The team struggled financially during this time. In 2005, a new group bought the team. This group included former Stampeder John Forzani and the Calgary Flames Limited Partnership.
The Hufnagel Years: More Championships (2008–2015)
In 2008, former Stamps quarterback John Hufnagel became the head coach. The Stampeders ended their playoff losing streak. They won their sixth Grey Cup, beating the Montreal Alouettes 22–14. Hufnagel was also the team's general manager. He coached until the end of the 2015 season. Then, he handed the coaching job to former Stampeder Dave Dickenson.
Between 2009 and 2014, the Stampeders often reached the Western Final. In 2012, they made it to the Grey Cup but lost to the Toronto Argonauts. In 2014, they won their seventh championship, beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20–16.
Dave Dickenson Takes Over (2016–Present)
After the 2015 season, John Hufnagel became only the general manager. Dave Dickenson took over as head coach. In 2016, the Stamps continued to be successful. They won the West Division but lost the Grey Cup in overtime to the Ottawa Redblacks.
In 2017, the Stampeders had the best record in the league. They made it to their second straight Grey Cup but lost to the Toronto Argonauts. In 2018, they made their third straight Grey Cup appearance. They won the title against the Redblacks 27–16. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was named the Most Outstanding Player.
In 2019, the Stampeders lost in the West Semi-Final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The CFL season was paused in 2020. In 2021, the Stampeders returned but lost in the West Semi-Final in overtime. They made the playoffs again in 2022 but lost to the BC Lions. In December 2022, Dave Dickenson also became the team's new general manager, while still being the head coach.
Grey Cup Championships: The Big Wins
The Calgary Stampeders have won the Grey Cup eight times. Here are their championship victories:
| Year | Winning team | Score | Losing team | Title | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Calgary Stampeders | 12–7 | Ottawa Rough Riders | 36th Grey Cup | Varsity Stadium, Toronto |
| 1971 | Calgary Stampeders | 14–11 | Toronto Argonauts | 59th Grey Cup | Empire Stadium, Vancouver |
| 1992 | Calgary Stampeders | 24–10 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 80th Grey Cup | SkyDome, Toronto |
| 1998 | Calgary Stampeders | 26–24 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 86th Grey Cup | Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg |
| 2001 | Calgary Stampeders | 27–19 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 89th Grey Cup | Olympic Stadium, Montreal |
| 2008 | Calgary Stampeders | 22–14 | Montreal Alouettes | 96th Grey Cup | Olympic Stadium, Montreal |
| 2014 | Calgary Stampeders | 20–16 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 102nd Grey Cup | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 2018 | Calgary Stampeders | 27–16 | Ottawa Redblacks | 106th Grey Cup | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton |
Honoured Players: Hall of Famers and Retired Numbers
Canadian Football Hall of Famers
Many Stampeders players and coaches have been inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. This honour recognizes their amazing contributions to the sport.
| Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | ||||
| No. | Name | Inducted | Position(s) | Tenure |
| 22 | Paul Rowe | 1964 | RB | 1945 - 1950 |
| - | Dean Griffing | 1965 | C | 1945 - 1947 |
| 95 | Norman Kwong | 1969 | RB | 1948 - 1950 |
| 55 | Wayne Harris | 1976 | LB | 1961 - 1972 |
| 21 | Harvey Wylie | 1980 | DB | 1956 - 1964 |
| 27 | Earl Lunsford | 1983 | RB | 1956, 1959–1963 |
| 77 | John Helton | 1986 | DT | 1969 - 1978 |
| 62 | Don Luzzi | 1986 | OT / DT | 1958 - 1969 |
| 56 | Tony Pajaczkowski | 1988 | OG | 1955 - 1965 |
| 76 | Herman Harrison | 1993 | LB / TE | 1964 - 1972 |
| 15 | Larry Robinson | 1998 | DB / K | 1961 - 1975 |
| 10 | Willie Burden | 2001 | RB | 1974–1981 |
| 18 | Allen Pitts | 2006 | WR | 1990–2000 |
| 59 | Rocco Romano | 2007 | OG | 1987, 1992 - 2000 |
| 20 | Doug Flutie | 2008 | QB | 1992–1996 |
| 51 | Alondra Johnson | 2009 | LB | 1991 - 2003 |
| 15 | Dave Dickenson | 2015 | QB | 1996–2000, 2009 |
| 32 | Kelvin Anderson | 2017 | RB | 1996–2002 |
| 9 | Jon Cornish | 2019 | RB | 2007–2015 |
| Coaches and Contributors | ||||
| Name | Inducted | Position(s) | Tenure | |
| Dean Griffing | 1965 | Coach, Owner | 1945 - 1947 | |
| A.G. "Tony" Anselmo | 2009 | President | 1973–1974 | |
Retired Numbers: Honoring Legends
The Stampeders have retired certain jersey numbers to honor their most legendary players. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again.
| 5 | Harry Hood |
| 10 | Willie Burden |
| 13 | Mark McLoughlin |
| 18 | Allen Pitts |
| 22 | Tom Forzani |
| 55 | Wayne Harris |
| 75 | Stu Laird |
The Presidents' Ring: Recognizing Leadership
The Presidents' Ring award started in 1967. It is given to the player who shows the best leadership skills on the team. Many great players have won this award, including Henry Burris, Danny Barrett, and Stu Laird, who each won it three times.
- 1967 Wayne Harris
- 1968 Herm Harrison
- 1969 Jerry Keeling
- 1970 Wayne Harris
- 1971 Jerry Keeling
- 1972 Larry Robinson
- 1973 Rudy Linterman
- 1974 John Helton
- 1975 Willie Burden
- 1976 Tom Forzani
- 1977 Willie Burden
- 1978 James Sykes
- 1979 Ed McAleney
- 1980 James Sykes
- 1981 Lloyd Fairbanks
- 1982 Ed McAleney
- 1983 Danny Bass
- 1984 Lyall Woznesensky
- 1985 Bernie Morrison
- 1986 Bob Poley
- 1987 Bernie Morrison
- 1988 Stu Laird
- 1989 Danny Barrett
- 1990 Danny Barrett
- 1991 Lloyd Fairbanks
- 1992 Stu Laird
- 1993 Andy McVey
- 1994 Allen Pitts
- 1995 Stu Laird
- 1996 Danny Barrett
- 1997 Rocco Romano
- 1998 Mark McLoughlin
- 1999 Allen Pitts
- 2000 Dave Dickenson
- 2001 Alondra Johnson
- 2002 Alondra Johnson
- 2003 Joe Fleming
- 2004 Jamie Crysdale
- 2005 Jay McNeil
- 2006 Jay McNeil
- 2007 Henry Burris
- 2008 Henry Burris
- 2009 Henry Burris
- 2010 Rob Lazeo
- 2011 Keon Raymond
- 212 Keon Raymond
- 2013 Rob Cote
- 2014 Corey Mace
- 2015 Rob Cote
- 2016 Deron Mayo
- 2017 Josh Bell
- 2018 Micah Johnson
Wall of Fame: Celebrating Stampeders Greats
The Stampeders Wall of Fame started in 1985. It celebrates the best players and important people who helped the team off the field.
- 1985 Paul Rowe 1945–50
- 1985 Wayne Harris 1961–72
- 1985 John Helton 1969–78
- 1986 Don Luzzi 1958–69
- 1986 Larry Robinson 1961–74
- 1988 Herm Harrison 1964–72
- 1988 Harvey Wylie 1956–64
- 1990 Jerry Keeling 1961–72
- 1990 Sugarfoot Anderson 1949–54
- 1992 Willie Burden 1974–81
- 1992 Harry Langford 1950–58
- 1994 Tom Forzani 1973–83
- 1994 Earl Lunsford 1956, 1959–63
- 1996 Tony Pajaczkowski 1955–65
- 1996 Lloyd Fairbanks 1975–82, 1989–91
- 1999 Lovell Coleman 1960–67
- 1999 George Hansen 1959–66
- 2002 Peter Liske 1966–68, 1973–74
- 2002 Keith Spaith 1948–54
- 2004 Allen Pitts 1990–2000
- 2006 Dave Sapunjis 1990–96
- 2006 J.T. Hay 1979–88
- 2008 Doug Flutie 1992–95
- 2008 Frank Andruski 1966–73
- 2008 Rocco Romano 1987, 1992–2000
- 2010 Alondra Johnson 1991–2003
- 2010 Will Johnson 1989–96
- 2010 Bernie Morrison 1978–88
- 2012 Kelvin Anderson 1996–2002
- 2012 Jeff Garcia 1994–98
- 2012 Rudy Linterman 1968–77
- 2012 Gerry Shaw 1965–74
- 2014 Ron Allbright 1956–67
- 2014 Jamie Crysdale 1993-2005
- 2014 Stu Laird 1984-96
- 2014 James Skyes 1978-83
Builders:
- 2001 Tony Anselmo
- 2001 Tom Brook
- 2001 Roy Jennings
- 2001 George McMahon
- 2001 Frank McMahon
- 2004 Rogers Lehew
- 2004 Stan Schwartz
- 2006 Dr. Vince Murphy
- 2010 Jim Finks
- 2012 Normie Kwong
- 2012 Sig Gutsche
- 2014 Pat Clayton
- 2014 George Hopkins
Team Leadership: Coaches and Managers
Head Coaches
The Stampeders have had many head coaches throughout their history, guiding the team through different eras.
- Dean Griffing (1945–1947)
- Les Lear (1948–1952)
- Bob Snyder (1953)
- Larry Siemering (1954)
- Jack Hennemier (1955–1956)
- Otis Douglas (1956–1960)
- Jim Finks (1960)
- Steve Owen (1960)
- Bobby Dobbs (1961–1964)
- Jerry Williams (1965–1968, 1981)
- Jim Duncan (1969–1973)
- Jim Wood (1973–1975)
- Bob Baker (1975–1976)
- Joe Tiller (1976)
- Jack Gotta (1977–1979, 1982–1983)
- Ardell Wiegandt (1980–1981)
- Steve Buratto (1984–1985)
- Bud Riley (1985)
- Bob Vespaziani (1986–1987)
- Lary Kuharich (1987–1989)
- Wally Buono (1990–2002)
- Jim Barker (2003)
- Matt Dunigan (2004)
- Tom Higgins (2005–2007)
- John Hufnagel (2008–2015)
- Dave Dickenson (2016–Present)
General Managers
The general manager helps build the team by choosing players and making important decisions.
- Bob Robinett (1953–1955)
- Bob Masterson (1956)
- Jim Finks (1957–1964)
- Pat Mahoney (1964)
- Rogers Lehew (1965–1973)
- Gary Hobson (1974–1976)
- Jack Gotta (1977–1983)
- Steve Buratto (1984)
- Earl Lunsford (1985–1987)
- Vern Siemens (1987) Interim
- Norm Kwong (1988–1991)
- Wally Buono (1992–2002)
- Fred Fateri (2003)
- Mark McLoughlin (2003)
- Matt Dunigan (2004)
- Jim Barker (2005–2007)
- John Hufnagel (2008–2022)
- Dave Dickenson (2022–present)
Team Owners
The Stampeders have had different owners over the years, from community groups to private companies.
- Community Ownership (1945 to October 23, 1991)
- Larry Ryckman (October 23, 1991 to April 3, 1996)
- Sig Gutsche (April 3, 1996 to October 8, 2001)
- Michael Feterik (October 8, 2001 to January 2005)
- Local Private Ownership (January 2005 to March 29, 2012)
- Calgary Sports and Entertainment (March 29, 2012 to present)
Current Team: Coaches and Roster
Current Coaching Staff
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
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Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
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Current Roster
Quarterbacks
Receivers
Running backs
Fullbacks
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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1-Game Injured
6-Game Injured
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Practice
Suspended
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| Italics indicate American player • Bold indicates Global player • 46 Roster, 18 Injured, 11 Practice, 2 Suspended Roster updated 2022-11-06 • Depth chart • Transactions • More CFL rosters |
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More Information
- Calgary Stampeders all-time records and statistics
Awesome Facts About the Stampeders
Here are some cool facts about the Calgary Stampeders:
- Founded: 1945
- Helmet Design: Red with a white, running horse. This design has been used since 1967.
- Team Colours: Red, white, and black.
- Nicknames: Stamps, Horsemen.
- Mascot: Ralph the Dog.
- Fight Song: "Ye Men of Calgary."
- Home Stadium: McMahon Stadium.
- Main Rivals: Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders, BC Lions.
- Western Division 1st Place Finishes: 20 times (1946, 1948, 1949, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).
- Northern Division 1st Place Finishes: 1 time (1995).
- Western Division Championships: 16 times (1948, 1949, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).
- Northern Division Championships: 1 time (1995).
- Grey Cup Championships: 8 times (1948, 1971, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2014, 2018).
- 2023 Regular Season Record: 6 wins, 12 losses.
See also
In Spanish: Calgary Stampeders para niños
