Yo folks what’s up, on my weekly sports show on Ustream.tv Avry’s Sports Show, I review many sports games and books, and I wind up with so many in my collection that I cant feature them all on my show. What on my review schedule right now is the 1954 Edmonton Eskimos written by Mark McAthey.
This book is a great look into CFL history as the Eskimos were a developing gem in Canadian football having made it to the Grey Cup for the first time in modern franchise history in 1952 losing toToronto21-11. The 1954 Esks were lead by guys like former Mississippi State QB Jackie Parker (who would soon become an Esks legend), fullback Normie “The China Clipper” Kwong, the ever versatile Rollie Miles (played halfback, linebacker, defensive back, quarterback, punter, kick returner and punt returner at different times during his career). McAthey’s book is not just a great look at one of the greatest CFL teams of all time but it’s also a great look back on how Canadian Football was so different compared to what were used to.
In 1954 the Canadian Football Council was king, interleague play between eastern (Big Four League and Ontario Rugby Football Union) and western teams (Western Interprovincial Football Union) only happened during the pre season, the Grey Cup and on the 5th Sunday of every leap year. Ok I made that last part up. Touchdowns were only worth 5 points (changed in 1956 to 6) and the rouge was a valuable part of a team’s offense, ok get off the floor and quit laughing.
The Esks after an 0-2 start managed to get things together to faceoff vs. the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup led by QB Sam “The Rifle” Etcheverry the Esks to most eastern Canadian reporters had a better chance of falling into a black hole than beating Montreal. Well the eastern media would be very wrong, the Esks actually lead the Als early on in the game and a very unexpected even matchup occurred and the most controversial play in Canadian football history cost Montreal continued eastern domination and started a dynasty. Montreal’s Chuck Hunsinger fumbled (many still say Hunsinger tried a forward pass as the ball came loose) a handoff from Etcheverry that was returned 90 yards by Jackie Parker for an Esks touchdown which at that point tied the game and a Bob Dean extra point gave the Esks the lead and after a final failed Als drive, the win.
McAthey makes this era of Canadian Football come alive (it also helps too that there's game pictures) and is a great read if you want to learn about one of the greatest football seasons ever.
My verdict: Five 5-point touchdowns out of 5!
That’s all for now folks I’m gone but be sure to tune into my show, Avry’s Sports Show every Tuesday night at 6PM Mountain time on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/avryofedmonton and follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Avry
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