Canadian Football Hall of Fame

About

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF) is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates achievements in Canadian football. It is maintained by the Canadian Football League (CFL). It includes displays about the CFL, Canadian university football and Canadian junior football history. The Hall previously had a main feature in the central portion of the museum where the metal busts of inducted members were displayed prior to the physical building being closed. There were also featured displays that highlight each CFL team's history, and an interactive field goal kicking exhibit. The CFHOF is currently changing to a de-centralized model, which does not include a main museum building. Once during every CFL season, the Hall sponsors the induction ceremony of former players. Included in the "Hall of Fame Weekend" is a regular season game, usually (but not always) affiliated with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Traditionally, the inducted players will come to the Hall and make an acceptance speech in front of the building where their newly sculpted bust is unveiled. A player must be retired from the game for at least three years before being eligible for consideration...

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame officially opened on November 28, 1972. The building was designed by Munro Ploen & Associates of Hamilton. Originally located in downtown Hamilton, it moved to Tim Hortons Field, home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in 2016. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame was awarded to the City of Hamilton in June 1963 following the invitation of Mayor Lloyd Douglas Jackson. The Hamilton Parks Board offered a space near Civic Stadium. In 1963, Ivan Miller, former sports editor of The Hamilton Spectator, was named the first curator. Soon after, the Board of Education purchased the land and building. The Hall moved to its new location in 1972 and closed on September 19, 2015. In 2015, responsibility for the museum moved from the City of Hamilton to the CFL.

The old Canadian Football Hall of Fame building was easily identified by the slightly-larger-than-life metal sculpture Touchdown, featuring a successful receiver being tackled. The sculpture has since been moved to Tim Hortons Field Gate 3. Tim Hortons Field also has 3 display areas – the Grey Cup display at Gate 3, the Media Hall of Fame Wing in the press box area, and the main display area in the premium level concourse. The main display area will feature all 296 busts (as of March 2018) and rotating displays of various artifacts. The displays are accessible during Hamilton Tiger-Cats home games (club-level display open to all ticket holders 15 minutes after the end of the game). The CFHOF also has travelling displays for different CFL team home fields, the Grey Cup, and other events.

- Jack Abendschan – player (K/OG), 2012 ( Saskatchewan Roughriders 1965–75).*

- Bob Ackles – builder, 2002 ( BC Lions as general manager 1975–86, president 2002–2008, and other duties since 1954).*

- Damon Allen – player (QB), 2012 ( Edmonton Eskimos 1985–88, 1993–94; Ottawa Rough Riders 1989–91; Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1992; Memphis Mad Dogs 1995; BC Lions 1996–2002; Toronto Argonauts 2003–2007).

- Tony Anselmo – builder, 2009 ( Calgary Stampeders as manager and other tasks 1973-2009).*

- Ron Atchison – player (C/MG/DT), 1978 ( Saskatchewan Roughriders 1952–68).*

- Len Back – builder, 1971 ( Hamilton Tigers as manager 1928–40, 1945–49; Hamilton Flying Wildcats as manager 1941–43; Hamilton Tiger-Cats as manager 1950–80).*

- Byron Bailey – player (FB/DB), 1975 ( BC Lions 1954–64).*

- R. Harold Bailey – builder, 1965 ( ORFU president 1941; CRU president 1942–45).*

- Bill Baker – player (DE), 1994 ( Saskatchewan Roughriders 1968–73, 1977–78; BC Lions 1974–76).

- Harold Ballard – builder, 1987 ( Hamilton Tiger-Cats as owner and president 1978–89).*

- Donald Barker – builder, 1999 (for his role in developing league officiating since the 1960s).*

- John Barrow – player (OT/DT), 1976 ( Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1957–70; Toronto Argonauts as General Manager 1971–75).*

- Danny Bass – player (LB), 2000 ( Toronto Argonauts 1980; Calgary Stampeders 1981–83; Edmonton Eskimos 1984–91).

- Harry Batstone – player (HB), 1963 ( Toronto Argonauts 1919–21; Queen's University 1922–28, later as coach 1929–31). *

- Greg Battle – player (LB), 2007 ( Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1987–93, 1997–98; Las Vegas Posse / Ottawa Rough Riders 1994; Memphis Mad Dogs 1995; Saskatchewan Roughriders 1996).

- Ormond Beach – player (LB), 1963 ( Sarnia Imperials 1934–37).*

- Al Benecick – player (OG/OT), 1996 ( Saskatchewan Roughriders 1959–68; Edmonton Eskimos 1969).*