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-- timeline --
Normie Kwong
- North Hill Jr. College - 1951-60 -
Fullback
Jackie Parker
- Mississippi State - 1954-62 -
Quarterback
Johnny Bright
- Drake - 1954-64 - Running Back
Dave Cutler - Simon Fraser - 1969-84 - Kicker
Tom Wilkinson #12
Wyoming - 1970-81 - Quarterback
Tom Wilkinson has been a fixture in
Edmonton for over 30 years. He arrived in Canada in 1967 from
Wyoming first with the Toronto Argonauts. After spending time with
Toronto and then B.C. Tom found a home with the Eskimos for 10
seasons. Not the flashiest of quarterbacks, Wilkinson was the
consummate thinking mans quarterback. Tom established himself with
Edmonton capturing the leagues Most Outstanding Player Award in
1974. He would lead Edmonton to 5 Grey Cup Championships and also
mentor the next great Eskimo quarterback in Warren Moon. Wilkinson
retired in 1981 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of
Fame in 1987. Since retiring from pro football Tom has made a home in Edmonton and lives there to this day.
George McGowan -
Kansas - 1971-78
- Receiver
Larry Highbaugh - Indiana - 1971-82
- Defensive Back
Bruce Lemmerman -
Cal State Northridge - 1971-78
- Quarterback
Roy Bell -
Oklahoma - 1972-76
- Running Back
Dave Fennell #65
North Dakota - 1974-83
- Defensive Tackle
Dave Fennell an Edmonton native was the
heart and soul of the Eskimo defensive line through the dynasty
years. A North Dakota grad he was a 5-time league All-Star and the
Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. Dr. Death won 6 Grey Cups in
his career.
Dan Kepley - East Carolina - 1975-85
- Linebacker
David Boone -
Eastern Michigan - 1977-83
- Defensive End
Jim Germany - New Mexico State - 1977-83
- Running Back
Hank Ilesic
- St. Joseph's HS - 1977-82 - Punter
Warren Moon
#1
University of
Washington - 1978-83 - Quarterback
The exploits of Moon in
professional football are unrivaled. Moon started his professional career
with Edmonton from the University of Washington. Having been overlooked in
the NFL draft as a quarterback, Moon came to Edmonton. He learned behind
starter Tom Wilkinson on the greatest dynasty in Canadian Football
History. Warren spent 6 seasons in the CFL and won the Grey Cup a
remarkable 5 times. He captured the league Most Outstanding Player
award in his final season in 1983. Read more about Warren from the Eskimo Alumni Association here...
Tom Scott - Washington - 1978-83 - Receiver
Brian Kelly - Washington State - 1979-87 - Wide Receiver
Neil Lumsden - Ottawa - 1980-85 -
Fullback
Matt Dunigan
#16
Louisiana Tech - 1983-87 - Quarterback
Matt Dunigan joined the Edmonton
Eskimos in 1983 and after a season as understudy behind
Warren Moon,
Dunigan was thrust into the starting role in 1984 and never looked back.
He threw for 21 touchdowns his first season completing nearly 60% of his
passes as starter and rushed for 9 more and over 700 yards. He would go on
to play 5 seasons in the Green & Gold and go down as one of tougest,
fiercest competitors to play for the Eskimos.
Larry Wruck -
Saskatoon -
1985-96 - Linebacker
Damon Allen - Cal State Fullerton -
1985-88, 1993-94 - Quarterback
Henry "Gizmo"
Williams #2
East Carolina - 1986-00 - Returner
He spent 14 seasons with the Green & Gold.
Without a doubt the
greatest return man in the history of the Canadian Football League,
Williams holds numerous records that may never be broken. Over his
incredible career he had a spectacular 26 punt return touchdowns. He won
the Grey Cup with Edmonton in 1987 and 1993. In the '87 game he returned a
missed field goal 115 yards for one of the greatest touchdowns in league
history. A remarkable athlete and role model in the community 'Gizmo' is
truly one of the all-time legends of Canadian Football. Read more about
Henry here...
Tracy Ham
- Georgia Southern - 1987-92 - Quarterback
Blake Marshall - Western - 1987-93 -
Fullback
Willie Pless #39
Kansas - 1991-97 -
Linebacker
Pless joined the Edmonton Eskimos in 1991 from the B.C.Lions, he had
already established himself as an All-star in the league first with
Toronto having been named the leagues top rookie in 1986 and then with the
Lions. It was with Edmonton however, where Willie had his greatest
success. The face of the Eskimo defence for 8 seasons Willie was a
perennial All-Star, he captured the leagues top defensive honours a record
5 times. He lead the defence in Edmonton to Grey Cup appearances in 1994
and 1996 capturing the trophy in 1994. When Willie retired in 2002 after a
season with Saskatchewan he finished as the leagues all-time leading
tackler. The Kansas Jayhawk product was a superstar. Willie's motor never
stopped and his agility, speed and tackling prowess have cemented his
status as one of the all-time greats to play Canadian Football. Willie was
elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jim Sandusky
- San Diego State/UNLV - 1991-96 - Receiver
Sean Fleming
- Wyoming - 1992-07 - Kicker
A.J. Gass
- Fresno State - 1998-07 - Linebacker
Terry Vaughn
- Arizona - 1999-04 - Wide Receiver
Ed Hervey
- USC - 1999-06 - Wide Receiver
Jason Maas #12
Oregon - 2000-05, 08-10 -
Quarterback
He
stands as one of the most accurate passers in league history with a
career competion percentage of 61.1. Jason Maas spent 9 seasons with
the Green & Gold alternating as a solid starting quarterback and among
the best back-ups in the country. His crowning moment will be the 2005
season when he twice came off the bench to lead Edmonton to play-off
victories on the way to the Grey Cup. The consummate team player Maas
would cede the reigns back to Ricky Ray to lead the Eskimos to the
2005 championship.
Jason Tucker
- Texas Christian - 2002-08 - Wide Receiver
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-- features --
The Eskimo Way
Eskimo Dynasty
'Hughy'
-- highlights --
Normie Kwong
(right) was a dominating fullback in the CFL for 13 seasons. First
with Calgary and then 10 seasons with Edmonton, the 'China Clipper'
was a force. The Calgary native was twice named the leagues top
Canadian and broker the 1,000 rushing plateau on four occasions.
Kwong was a vital part of the Eskimos championships in 1954, 55 and
56. An accomplished athlete and an accomplished Canadian, Kwong has
gone on to become the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
Larry Highbaugh
is considered one of the greatest defensive backs ever to play in the
Canadian Football League. His speed on the field was unmatched and his
abilities as a kick returner helped re-shape the strategy of special teams
in the game. The Indiana native spent 11 seasons with the Eskimos joining
the team in 1972 from the B.C.Lions. A threat on both sides of the ball
Larry was at the core of the Eskimo dynasty and the "5 in a row"
championship teams. With his epic battles with Johnny Rodgers of the
Montreal Alouettes and flare for the dramatic Highbaugh was one of the
leagues top stars in the 1970's. He stands second in league history in
interceptions with 66.
Danny
Kepley (right) epitomized the Eskimo defense during the teams unprecedented
championship run in the late 1970's and early 1980's. His tough,
determined and relentless demeanor had a big impact on the entire team.
Dan was the anchor of the formidable Alberta Crude defence, he poured his
heart into the Green & Gold for 10 seasons. A lasting figure in the
history of Eskimo football; Kepley continued his legacy with the club as a
defensive coach.
For a team to win 5 championships in a row there has to be incredible
balance. The five in a row Edmonton Eskimos from 1977-1982 were
exceptional in all facets of Canadian Football. Over his 7 seasons Running
Back
Jim Germany
supplied exceptional ability as the teams #1 running back for the
teams dynasty run.
At just 5'9" and 188 lbs
Jim Sandusky
made incredible things happen on a football field. As sure handed
and dependable as they come, Sandusky was a college star at UNLV who
arrived in Edmonton in 1991 after a trade from B.C. in 1988 and 2
years in the NFL with Seattle. A great teacher the Washington State
native came out of retirement twice including the Eskimos 1996 Grey
Cup run to provide his incredible hands and savvy ability.
Ed Hervey
was a star receiver in college with USC. After 2 failed attempts at
the NFL he arrived in Edmonton in 1999. Initially a hot tempered
albeit productive player, Hervey evolved into one of the most
consistent, respected and productive receivers in the league in the
2000's. A two-time Grey Cup champion as a player, Hervey has
continued to work in the CFL in management upon retiring in 2007.
-- grey cup --
1974
1977
1987
1996
2002
-- stadium attendance --
Commonwealth Stadium
Capacity (60,081)
High Season: 57,901
(1982)
Low Season: 28,465
(1992)
2012 Avg: 34,318
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