Canadian Football League Power Rankings: The 7 Best Players in CFL History
Canadian Football League Power Rankings: The 7 Best Players in CFL History
The Canadian Football League dates back to its inaugural season in 1958.
Since then, many players have come and gone, with some having larger impacts than others.
This list takes into consideration all players who have played in the CFL, but just like a team relies on a quarterback to carry most of the load, this list does the same.
Here are the seven best players in CFL history.
1. Doug Flutie, Quarterback
Although Flutie may not be at the top of all the record books since he only played eight seasons in the CFL, he is arguably the best player ever.
The one record he does hold: passing yards in a season with 6,619 in 1991.
After his stint in the CFL, Flutie went on to play eight seasons in the National Football League.
It's difficult to say Flutie isn't the best player to ever play in the CFL.
2. Anthony Calvillo, Quarterback
Calvillo's career isn't even over, and he makes No. 2 on the list.
He is the CFL's all-time passing leader with 73,412 yards and counting. He also leads the league in all-time passing touchdowns with 418, a number that may never be touched.
In his 18 seasons, Calvillo has won three Grey Cups.
It's not hard to see why he is near the top of the list.
3. George Reed, Running Back
Reed, the Saskatchewan Roughriders all-star running back, played 13 seasons for the club, and his No. 34 was retired by the team.
Reed is second on the all-time touchdown list with 137 and is second in all-time rushing yards with 16,116. Reed once amassed 268 yards in one game.
He is the all-time leader in seasons with 1,000 rushing yards with 11, a record that may never be caught.
4. Milt Stegall, Receiver
Stegall is the CFL's all-time leading receiver with 15,153 yards.
He has also scored the most touchdowns in CFL history, having crossed into the end zone 147 times.
In one season, the nine-time all-star scored 23 touchdowns.
Stegall spent three seasons in the NFL at the start of his career, but he didn't get much playing time. In 1995, he made the move north and signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
He spent the next 14 years with the team, running routes and racking up yards.
5. Damon Allen, Quarterback
Damon is the second all-time passing yards leader in the CFL behind Calvillo, with 72,381 yards.
He had an illustrious career in the CFL, playing 23 seasons with six teams.
He is third on the all-time CFL games played list with 370.
Allen is one of the most well-known quarterbacks to have ever played in the league.
6. Ron Lancaster, Quarterback
Lancaster is one of the most distinguished quarterbacks that the CFL has ever known.
He is fourth in all-time passing yards, with 50,535, having played three seasons with the Ottawa Renegades and 16 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
But what sets him apart are his four Grey Cup rings.
7. Mike Pringle, Running Back
Pringle is the CFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,425 yards, just 309 yards ahead of Reed.
Pringle won three Grey Cups and is just behind Reed again, with nine 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
He is considered one of the CFL's best running backs ever, so he deserves a spot on this list.