2005 CFL season
Encyclopedia
The 2005 Canadian Football League
season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football
, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.
franchises in the 2005 season. The Calgary Stampeders
were sold to an ownership group that is led by Ted Hellard and former Stampeder legend, John Forzani
. After going through ownership in-fighting, the Ottawa Renegades
announced that a new ownership group led by Bill Smith and former Ottawa Rough Riders
owner, Bernie Glieberman, would take over the team.
In April, the Toronto Argonauts
plans to build a new stadium at York University
had been cancelled due to rising costs. However, the owners of the Rogers Centre
announced that the Argonauts would be able to remain at the stadium rent-free. Previously, the Argonauts were charged the highest in terms of rent than any other team in the CFL.
Before the season began, the CFL through its partnership with Reebok
, introduced new home and away uniforms for all nine teams. Third alternate uniforms were created for all of the teams with the exception of the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
.
On June 11, the first ever CFL game in Halifax, Nova Scotia is played for the special Touchdown Atlantic
pre-season game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which ended in a 16–16 draw at Huskies Stadium
.
More than 2,303,455 fans filled the stadiums across the country to catch CFL games in 2005, which was a 4% increase from the 2004 season
. The 2005 regular season attendance figure also became the all-time highest grossing regular season attendance record in CFL history, by breaking the previous record of 2,229,834 that was set in the 1978 season
. In addition, it marks the fourth consecutive year of national attendance increases for the league.
The 2005 season also saw television audience increases on TSN
, CBC
and RDS
. TSN's CFL broadcast drew an average of 395,000 viewers for its 55 regular season games (and one preseason game), the highest average CFL audience in TSN history. The figure eclipsed the 2004 average minute audience by 27%, with ratings in the male 18–34 demographic specifically, increasing 30% over last season. CFL on CBC
recorded a 6% increase in 2005 with an average audience of 462,000 (versus 437,000 in 2004). Average audiences in RDS were also on the rise in 2005. With an 18-game schedule, RDS averaged 201,000 viewers (versus 189,000 in 2004), a 6% increase over last season.
On October 28, Saskatchewan
linebacker, Trevis Smith
was charged with aggravated sexual assault
in Surrey, BC for allegedly having unprotected sex while knowing that he is HIV positive. Then on November 18, Trevis Smith was charged with the same offence in Regina, Saskatchewan
after another woman came forward alleging that Smith did not tell her that he was HIV positive before they had unprotected sex. A court date has been set for 2006.http://www.canada.com/sports/football/story.html?id=7d232d78-0300-4940-9065-222d0c49440f&p=1
On November 27, the Grey Cup
game was decided in overtime for only the second time in its 93-year history, as the Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Montreal Alouettes
, 38–35 in double OT, at BC Place Stadium
in Vancouver, B.C..
slotback, Milt Stegall
surpassed Allen Pitts
' mark for most career receiving TDs with 126.
Eskimos quarterback
, Ricky Ray
completed 479 passes, which marked the highest single season total for a quarterback.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
punter, Jon Ryan
broke Lui Passaglia
's single season average punt record of 50.2 yards by averaging 50.6 yards per punt.
The BC Lions
started the season by winning 11 consecutive games and were two wins away of breaking the 12–0 record set by the 1948
Calgary Stampeders. The Lions could have broken the record, but eventually lost four straight games and ended their last seven games by going 1–6.
Teams in bold finished in playoff positions.
X – clinched playoff berth
Y – clinched first place
are the 2005 Grey Cup
Champions, defeating the Montreal Alouettes
38–35 in an overtime thriller played in Vancouver
's BC Place Stadium
. It was the first Grey Cup game in 44 years to go to overtime.
The Eskimos' Ricky Ray
(QB) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player and the Eskimos' Mike Maurer
(FB) was the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian.
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.
CFL News in 2005
New ownership groups took controls of two CFLCanadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
franchises in the 2005 season. The Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
were sold to an ownership group that is led by Ted Hellard and former Stampeder legend, John Forzani
John Forzani
John Forzani is a Canadian businessman, former Canadian Football League player, and CFL team owner. He is the Chairman and co-founder of the Forzani Group....
. After going through ownership in-fighting, the Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades was the most recent name of a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario founded in 2002, seven years after the storied Ottawa Rough Riders folded...
announced that a new ownership group led by Bill Smith and former Ottawa Rough Riders
Ottawa Rough Riders
The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
owner, Bernie Glieberman, would take over the team.
In April, the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
plans to build a new stadium at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
had been cancelled due to rising costs. However, the owners of the Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
announced that the Argonauts would be able to remain at the stadium rent-free. Previously, the Argonauts were charged the highest in terms of rent than any other team in the CFL.
Before the season began, the CFL through its partnership with Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
, introduced new home and away uniforms for all nine teams. Third alternate uniforms were created for all of the teams with the exception of the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
.
On June 11, the first ever CFL game in Halifax, Nova Scotia is played for the special Touchdown Atlantic
Atlantic Schooners
The Atlantic Schooners were a conditional Canadian Football League expansion team that was to begin play in 1984 out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.On May 13, 1982, Maritime Professional Football Club Ltd. was granted a conditional expansion franchise...
pre-season game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which ended in a 16–16 draw at Huskies Stadium
Huskies Stadium
The Huskies Stadium is a Canadian football stadium in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that is host to Saint Mary's Huskies. It has a promoted capacity of 9,000 to 11,000 that is achieveable via temporary seating, but the actual permanent seating is only 4000. It was built in 1970...
.
More than 2,303,455 fans filled the stadiums across the country to catch CFL games in 2005, which was a 4% increase from the 2004 season
2004 CFL season
The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:...
. The 2005 regular season attendance figure also became the all-time highest grossing regular season attendance record in CFL history, by breaking the previous record of 2,229,834 that was set in the 1978 season
1978 CFL season
The 1978 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 25th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 21st Canadian Football League season.-Final regular season standings:...
. In addition, it marks the fourth consecutive year of national attendance increases for the league.
The 2005 season also saw television audience increases on TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
, CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
and RDS
Réseau des sports
Réseau des sports , is a Canadian French language Category C specialty channel showing sports and sport-related shows. It is available in 2.5 million homes, and is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc....
. TSN's CFL broadcast drew an average of 395,000 viewers for its 55 regular season games (and one preseason game), the highest average CFL audience in TSN history. The figure eclipsed the 2004 average minute audience by 27%, with ratings in the male 18–34 demographic specifically, increasing 30% over last season. CFL on CBC
CFL on CBC
CFL on CBC was a presentation of Canadian Football League football aired on the CBC Television Network. CBC held broadcast rights for the CFL from 1952 to 2007...
recorded a 6% increase in 2005 with an average audience of 462,000 (versus 437,000 in 2004). Average audiences in RDS were also on the rise in 2005. With an 18-game schedule, RDS averaged 201,000 viewers (versus 189,000 in 2004), a 6% increase over last season.
On October 28, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
linebacker, Trevis Smith
Trevis Smith
Trevis Smith was a professional Linkline operator and also football linebacker who played seven years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League...
was charged with aggravated sexual assault
Aggravated sexual assault
Aggravated Sexual Assault is when one commits an aggravated assault of a sexual nature and who wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the complainant....
in Surrey, BC for allegedly having unprotected sex while knowing that he is HIV positive. Then on November 18, Trevis Smith was charged with the same offence in Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
after another woman came forward alleging that Smith did not tell her that he was HIV positive before they had unprotected sex. A court date has been set for 2006.http://www.canada.com/sports/football/story.html?id=7d232d78-0300-4940-9065-222d0c49440f&p=1
On November 27, the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
game was decided in overtime for only the second time in its 93-year history, as the Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
, 38–35 in double OT, at BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
in Vancouver, B.C..
Records and Milestones
WinnipegWinnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
slotback, Milt Stegall
Milt Stegall
Milton Eugene Stegall is a retired professional gridiron football player who played 17 years of professional football, three years in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals and 14 years in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.Stegall was an All-Star...
surpassed Allen Pitts
Allen Pitts
Allen Pitts was a receiver for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League from 1990 to 2000. He attended Cal-State Fullerton and played his entire professional career as a receiver for the Calgary Stampeders...
' mark for most career receiving TDs with 126.
Eskimos quarterback
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
, Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray is a Canadian and American football quarterback who has played in the Canadian Football League and af2, as well as spending time on a roster in the National Football League...
completed 479 passes, which marked the highest single season total for a quarterback.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
punter, Jon Ryan
Jon Ryan
Jonathan Robert Ryan is a Canadian professional gridiron football player who is currently the punter for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League...
broke Lui Passaglia
Lui Passaglia
Lui Passaglia is a former professional Canadian football player. Passaglia was the placekicker/punter for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League for a record-breaking 25 years and scored more points in that time than any professional gridiron football player in history...
's single season average punt record of 50.2 yards by averaging 50.6 yards per punt.
The BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
started the season by winning 11 consecutive games and were two wins away of breaking the 12–0 record set by the 1948
1948 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1948:The WIFU increased their games from 8 to 12 games per team.The Hamilton Tigers, formerly of the IRFU joined the ORFU, and the Hamilton Wildcats joined the IRFU on Friday, April 9....
Calgary Stampeders. The Lions could have broken the record, but eventually lost four straight games and ended their last seven games by going 1–6.
Regular season
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = PointsTeams in bold finished in playoff positions.
X – clinched playoff berth
Y – clinched first place
Grey Cup playoffs
The Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
are the 2005 Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
Champions, defeating the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
38–35 in an overtime thriller played in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
's BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
. It was the first Grey Cup game in 44 years to go to overtime.
The Eskimos' Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray is a Canadian and American football quarterback who has played in the Canadian Football League and af2, as well as spending time on a roster in the National Football League...
(QB) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player and the Eskimos' Mike Maurer
Mike Maurer
Michael "Mike" Maurer is a professional Canadian football fullback with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League and a professional mixed martial artist....
(FB) was the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian.
Playoff bracket
- -Team won in Overtime.
2005 Rogers CFL Awards
- CFL's Most Outstanding Player AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Player AwardThe Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The Most Outstanding Player award can be compared to the National Football League's Most Valuable Player, otherwise known as the "MVP" award...
– Damon AllenDamon AllenDamon Allen is a former professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts. He is currently second in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal...
(QB), Toronto Argonauts - CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Canadian AwardThe Most Outstanding Canadian Award is annually rewarded to the best Canadian player in the Canadian Football League. This is the second-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it is hosted. The two nominees...
– Brent Johnson (DE), BC Lions - CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player AwardThe Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award is annually rewarded to the best defensive player in the Canadian Football League. This is the third-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it is hosted...
– John GraceJohn Grace (Canadian football)John Grace is a retired Canadian Football League linebacker.-College career:Grace attended Marshall University, and was a two-time Team Defensive MVP, a two-time All-MAC selection, and was the 1998 Motor City Bowl MVP...
(LB), Calgary Stampeders - CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman AwardThe Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award is annually rewarded to the best offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. This is the fourth-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it is hosted...
– Gene MakowskyGene MakowskyGene Makowsky is an offensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League and a politician. He was selected in the second round of the 1995 CFL Draft from the University of Saskatchewan...
(OT), Saskatchewan Roughriders - CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie AwardCFL's Most Outstanding Rookie AwardThe Most Outstanding Rookie Award is annually rewarded to the player deemed to be the best player in his first year in the Canadian Football League. This is the fifth-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same city where it...
– Gavin WallsGavin WallsGavin Walls is a professional American football player, who most recently played with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League . He has also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers....
(DE), Winnipeg Blue Bombers - CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams AwardJohn Agro Special Teams AwardThe John Agro Special Teams Award is awarded to the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams player that is voted by his peers .-John Agro Special Teams Award winners:*2011 - Paul McCallum , BC Lions...
– Corey HolmesCorey HolmesCorey Holmes is a former professional Canadian football running back and the current mayor of Metcalfe, Mississippi.- College career :...
(RB), Saskatchewan Roughriders - CFLPA's Most Outstanding Community Service AwardTom Pate Memorial AwardEvery year the Canadian Football League Players' Association presents the Tom Pate Award. It is not a "Jock Award," but rather an award given to players who display qualities that distinguish them from their peers....
– Danny McManusDanny McManusDanny McManus , is a retired professional American football and Canadian football quarterback who passed for over 50,000 yards in seventeen seasons in the Canadian Football League...
(QB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats - Rogers Fans' Choice AwardRogers Fans' Choice AwardThe Rogers Fans' Choice Award is annually awarded to the player who received the most votes from fans as the Rogers Player of the Game, during the 4th quarter of CFL games on TSN, since 2003....
– Damon AllenDamon AllenDamon Allen is a former professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League, most recently with the Toronto Argonauts. He is currently second in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal...
(QB), Toronto Argonauts - CFL's Scotiabank Coach of the YearAnnis Stukus TrophyThe Annis Stukus Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, which is presented annually by the Edmonton Eskimos Alumni Association to the Coach of the Year, as determined by the members of the Football Reporters of Canada...
– Tom Higgins, Calgary Stampeders