Baltimore Stallions
Encyclopedia
The Baltimore Stallions were a Canadian Football League
team based in Baltimore, Maryland, which played the 1994
and 1995 seasons
. They were the most successful American
team in the Canadian Football League, having two winning seasons and a division title. In 1995
they became the only American team to win the Grey Cup
. Following the relocation of the Cleveland Browns
to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Ravens
, the club relocated to Montreal to become the current version of the Montreal Alouettes
.
' approach was simple: he knew that Canadian football
was different from the American game
, and therefore made a point of hiring personnel and players with CFL
experience. Speros made Jim Popp
general manager of the new team, and named the legendary Don Matthews
as head coach. Popp and Matthews, in turn, brought in experienced players like QB Tracy Ham
, RB Mike Pringle, LB O. J. Brigance
, DT Jerald Bayliss
, DE Elfrid Payton
and former National Football League
veteran K Donald Igwebuike
. However, the franchise quickly ran into trouble, becoming known as the "team without a name." Speros had started calling his new franchise the Baltimore CFL Colts and the NFL sued because of possible public confusion with their Indianapolis Colts
, who had played in Baltimore from 1953 until 1983. The NFL won an injunction because the CFL version of the Baltimore Colts didn't want to go bankrupt fighting it, and the franchise became known as the Baltimore Football Club (Baltimore F.C.), sometimes called the Baltimore CFLers. The team's fan base resisted the change; for most of the '94 season, the public address announcer at Memorial Stadium, Jack Taylor, would announce the team as "your Baltimore CFL..." followed by a pause, during which time the assembled fans would shout "COLTS!", after which he would conclude, "...football team."
Even though they lacked an official name, the Baltimore
franchise finished second in the CFL East Division with a 12–6 regular season record, which became a CFL record for the most wins by an expansion team; this record still stands today. In addition, the team was ranked third in team scoring and ranked second in team defense. Furthermore, 27-year old running back, Mike Pringle was the leading rusher with a record 1,972 yards and thirteen touchdowns, narrowly missing becoming the first running back to reach 2,000 yards in the CFL. Pringle also returned 38 kicks for 814 yards, which made him a CFL All-Star, Eastern All-Star, and a Terry Evanshen Trophy
winner.
In the playoffs, the Baltimore franchise hosted the Toronto Argonauts
in the East semifinals at Memorial Stadium
and won the game, 34–15. After the semifinal game, Baltimore ended up defeating the favored Winnipeg Blue Bombers
at Winnipeg Stadium 14–12 to become the first American and expansion team to make it to the Grey Cup
. In their first two playoff games, Mike Pringle would rush for 165 yards going into the Grey Cup game.
In the Grey Cup game, Baltimore was up against the B.C. Lions at BC Place Stadium
. Baltimore had the upper hand against the Lions, leading 17–10 at halftime and silencing the Lions' faithful; however, the Lions came back in the second half, winning by a score of 26–23 on a last-second Lui Passaglia
field goal. One of the key strategies in the Lions' victory was limiting Pringle to just 71 rushing yards in the game.
Divisional Awards
CFL Awards
1994 Eastern All-Stars
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
1994 CFL All-Stars
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
Situations changed for the Stallions when the CFL decided to add teams in Memphis
and Birmingham
. In addition, their expansion cousins the Las Vegas Posse
folded, while the Sacramento Gold Miners
relocated to San Antonio as the San Antonio Texans
. The CFL decided that with five U.S. teams (including the financially challenged Shreveport Pirates
) in their league, it was appropriate to re-align their two divisions and to place all the U.S. teams in the new South Division
, while the Canadian teams were in the North Division
. Despite the changes to their name and to the league environment, the Baltimore Stallions returned with virtually the same roster. The exception was the signing of former Posse kicker Carlos Huerta
to replace Donald Igwebuike, who moved on to play with Memphis. By keeping the same players from the '94 season, optimism and Grey Cup expectations were high for the Stallions. Optimism became reality as Baltimore continued their on-field dominance from the previous season by finishing with a 15–3 regular season record, finishing first in the South Division and tying for the best record in the league with Calgary
. Quarterback Tracy Ham with Mike Pringle and Robert Drummond
were the most potent backfield in the CFL. Chris Armstrong
became the team's top receiver and the defense continued dominating opponents by allowing only 369 points-against, ranking the squad third in team defense. Mike Pringle had a slight drop-off from his '94 numbers by rushing for 1,791 yards, while his yards-per-carry fell to 5.8 from 6.4 in '94. However, Pringle's statistics were still better than most running backs' stats in the league that year and he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player and would rise to the occasion in the playoffs.
After rolling over Winnipeg
36–21 in the divisional semifinals, Don Matthews and his team easily handled the San Antonio Texans in the Southern finals, winning the game 21–11 to advance to the Grey Cup for the second straight season. The Stallions were headed to Regina
's Taylor Field
to face the 15–3 North Division champion Calgary Stampeders, who were led by coach Wally Buono
, QB Doug Flutie
, and his two top receivers, Allen Pitts
and Dave Sapunjis
. During the Grey Cup game, the winds at Taylor Field were particularly strong and gusted up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph). That didn't slow down the Stallions, as they opened the game with a Chris Wright
82-yard punt return touchdown (a Grey Cup record) just 2:20 into the game. After Calgary responded by scoring the next 13 points to take a 13–7 lead, Baltimore replied with four consecutive scores, including three Carlos Huerta field goals against the wind, the longest from 53 yards (another Grey Cup record). O.J. Brigance blocked a Calgary punt with just under eight minutes to go in the half; it was scooped up by Alvin Walton
at the five. He dove over for Baltimore's lone touchdown of the half. In the third quarter after a Baltimore single, Flutie managed to score a touchdown on a one-yard plunge, but it was the last scoring for Calgary as the Stallions' defense managed to shut down the league's top-ranked offense. Stallions quarterback Tracy Ham responded by throwing 213 yards with a touchdown of his own, while Huerta kicked two more field goals to round out Baltimore's scoring as they dominated the Stampeders for a 37–20 victory to become the first American team to win the Grey Cup. Pringle was a playoff workhorse and ran for 484 yards and four touchdowns in all three playoff games. After the game, Tracy Ham became the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player. However, as discussed below, celebrations for the franchise was short-lived after their Grey Cup triumph.
Divisional Awards
CFL Awards
1995 Southern All-Stars
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
1995 CFL All-Stars
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
. However, not long after that Cleveland Browns
owner Art Modell
announced he was moving his team to Baltimore. This would have made the Stallions the only CFL team to compete directly with the NFL. While the Stallions had been a runaway hit, Speros knew they could not hope to go head-to-head with an NFL team and announced plans to move. After scouting out Norfolk, Virginia
, and Houston, Texas
, Speros decided to move the franchise to Montreal
and the team became the third incarnation of the Montreal Alouettes
. After owning the team for one more season Speros sold the Montreal Alouettes to Robert C. Wetenhall
in 1997. The Alouettes have since become one of the league's most successful franchises, winning the Grey Cup in 2002, 2009 and 2010.
The Stallions had sixteen players signed by NFL teams for tryouts in 1996.
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....
team based in Baltimore, Maryland, which played the 1994
1994 CFL season
The 1994 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 41st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 37th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1994:...
and 1995 seasons
1995 CFL season
The 1995 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 42nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 38th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1995:...
. They were the most successful American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
team in the Canadian Football League, having two winning seasons and a division title. In 1995
83rd Grey Cup
The 83rd Grey Cup aka The Wind Bowl was the 1995 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Baltimore Stallions and the Calgary Stampeders at Taylor Field in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Stallions won the game by a score of 37-20...
they became the only American team to win 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...
. Following the relocation of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, the club relocated to Montreal to become the current version of 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...
.
1994 season
Owner Jim SperosJim Speros
Jim Speros is an American businessman and former American football player and coach from Great Falls, Virginia, best known for his ownership of teams in the Canadian Football League and United Football League.-Early career:...
' approach was simple: he knew that 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...
was different from the American game
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, and therefore made a point of hiring personnel and players with CFL
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....
experience. Speros made Jim Popp
Jim Popp
Jim Popp is the general manager of the Montreal Alouettes football club of the Canadian Football League ....
general manager of the new team, and named the legendary Don Matthews
Don Matthews
Don Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins...
as head coach. Popp and Matthews, in turn, brought in experienced players like QB Tracy Ham
Tracy Ham
Tracy Ham is a retired Canadian Football League quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Stallions, and the Montreal Alouettes. He was known for his abilities as a dual threat quarterback...
, RB Mike Pringle, LB O. J. Brigance
O. J. Brigance
O. J. Brigance is a former championship football player in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.-Football career:...
, DT Jerald Bayliss
Jearld Baylis
Jearld Baylis was a star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League.Baylis played college football at University of Southern Mississippi. He had a 10 year career from 1986 to 1995 for four different teams. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1993 and was a CFL...
, DE Elfrid Payton
Elfrid Payton
Elfrid Payton was an all-star football player in the Canadian Football League.Payton graduated from Grambling State University.-Career:Payton played with seven different teams over the course of his career....
and former National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
veteran K Donald Igwebuike
Donald Igwebuike
Donald Amechi Igwebuike is a former Nigerian kicker of American football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . He is the fourth place all-time scorer for the Buccaneers with 416 overall points...
. However, the franchise quickly ran into trouble, becoming known as the "team without a name." Speros had started calling his new franchise the Baltimore CFL Colts and the NFL sued because of possible public confusion with their Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, who had played in Baltimore from 1953 until 1983. The NFL won an injunction because the CFL version of the Baltimore Colts didn't want to go bankrupt fighting it, and the franchise became known as the Baltimore Football Club (Baltimore F.C.), sometimes called the Baltimore CFLers. The team's fan base resisted the change; for most of the '94 season, the public address announcer at Memorial Stadium, Jack Taylor, would announce the team as "your Baltimore CFL..." followed by a pause, during which time the assembled fans would shout "COLTS!", after which he would conclude, "...football team."
Even though they lacked an official name, the Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
franchise finished second in the CFL East Division with a 12–6 regular season record, which became a CFL record for the most wins by an expansion team; this record still stands today. In addition, the team was ranked third in team scoring and ranked second in team defense. Furthermore, 27-year old running back, Mike Pringle was the leading rusher with a record 1,972 yards and thirteen touchdowns, narrowly missing becoming the first running back to reach 2,000 yards in the CFL. Pringle also returned 38 kicks for 814 yards, which made him a CFL All-Star, Eastern All-Star, and a Terry Evanshen Trophy
Terry Evanshen Trophy
The Terry Evanshen Trophy is a trophy awarded to the Canadian Football League East Division's Most Outstanding Player, chosen from the nominees of each team in the division...
winner.
In the playoffs, the Baltimore franchise hosted 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...
in the East semifinals at Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)
Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road...
and won the game, 34–15. After the semifinal game, Baltimore ended up defeating the favored 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...
at Winnipeg Stadium 14–12 to become the first American and expansion team to make it to the Grey Cup
82nd Grey Cup
The 82nd Grey Cup was the 1994 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Baltimore Football Club and the BC Lions at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC. It was the first-ever championship in professional football history to feature a United States-vs-Canada matchup...
. In their first two playoff games, Mike Pringle would rush for 165 yards going into the Grey Cup game.
In the Grey Cup game, Baltimore was up against the B.C. Lions 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...
. Baltimore had the upper hand against the Lions, leading 17–10 at halftime and silencing the Lions' faithful; however, the Lions came back in the second half, winning by a score of 26–23 on a last-second 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...
field goal. One of the key strategies in the Lions' victory was limiting Pringle to just 71 rushing yards in the game.
1994 accomplishments
After the season, the Baltimore players received many awards and accomplishments in the CFL:Divisional Awards
- Most Valuable Player of the East DivisionTerry Evanshen TrophyThe Terry Evanshen Trophy is a trophy awarded to the Canadian Football League East Division's Most Outstanding Player, chosen from the nominees of each team in the division...
– Mike Pringle (RB) - Most Outstanding Rookie of the East DivisionFrank M. Gibson TrophyThe Frank M. Gibson Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, given to the most outstanding rookie in the East Division. Each team from the East Division nominates a candidate from which a winner is chosen, and either this winner or the winner of the Jackie Parker Trophy will receive the...
– Matt Goodwin (Canadian football)Matt Goodwin (Canadian football)Matt Goodwin is a former award winning Canadian Football League linebacker and Grey Cup champion.Goodwin played his college football at Iowa State and played professionally for 2 years with the Baltimore Stallions...
(DB) - Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award of the East DivisionLeo Dandurand TrophyThe Leo Dandurand Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy is awarded to the Most Outstanding Lineman in the East Division. The winner of this trophy is chosen from a group of nominees, one from each team in the East Division...
– Shar PourdaneshShar PourdaneshShahriar Pourdanesh is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 2001 when in 2001 a severe knee injury cut his career short.He previously played with the Baltimore...
(OT)
CFL Awards
- 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...
– Shar PourdaneshShar PourdaneshShahriar Pourdanesh is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 2001 when in 2001 a severe knee injury cut his career short.He previously played with the Baltimore...
(OT) - 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...
– Matt Goodwin (Canadian football)Matt Goodwin (Canadian football)Matt Goodwin is a former award winning Canadian Football League linebacker and Grey Cup champion.Goodwin played his college football at Iowa State and played professionally for 2 years with the Baltimore Stallions...
(DB) - 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....
– O. J. BriganceO. J. BriganceO. J. Brigance is a former championship football player in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.-Football career:...
(LB) - CFL's 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...
– Don MatthewsDon MatthewsDon Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins... - Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player – Karl AnthonyKarl AnthonyKarl Anthony is a former all-star and award winning Canadian Football League defensive back and Grey Cup champion.Anthony played his college football at Southwest Missouri State University and first played professionally for 3 years with the Calgary Stampeders, where he was an all-star in 1993...
(CB)
1994 Eastern All-Stars
Offense
- Mike Pringle (RB)
- Peter TuipulotuPeter TuipulotuPeter Tuipulotu was a Canadian and American football player. He played as a running back at Brigham Young University from 1988 to 1991. He played one season for the San Diego Chargers in 1992, and two for the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League, from 1994 to 1995...
(FB) - Chris Armstrong (SB)
- Nick Subis (C)
- Shar PourdaneshShar PourdaneshShahriar Pourdanesh is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 2001 when in 2001 a severe knee injury cut his career short.He previously played with the Baltimore...
(OT)
Defense
- Irvin SmithIrvin SmithIrvin Smith is a former gridiron football defensive back. He played for the Baltimore Stallions in the Canadian Football League. Smith played college football at Maryland....
(CB) - Michael BrooksMichael Brooks (safety)Michael Antonio Brooks is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys. Brooks also played one season in the Canadian Football League for the Baltimore CFLers, where he was a league all-star...
(DS)
Special Teams
- Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
(P)
1994 CFL All-Stars
Offense
- Mike Pringle (RB)
- Shar PourdaneshShar PourdaneshShahriar Pourdanesh is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 2001 when in 2001 a severe knee injury cut his career short.He previously played with the Baltimore...
(OT)
Defense
- Irvin SmithIrvin SmithIrvin Smith is a former gridiron football defensive back. He played for the Baltimore Stallions in the Canadian Football League. Smith played college football at Maryland....
(CB)
Special Teams
- Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
(P)
1995 season
After the 1994 season, a name-the-team fan poll was held to decide a new team name. After the team's first week of the season being known as the Baltimore Football Club, the fan poll ended and Jim Speros announced to the Baltimore faithful that their team would be known as the Baltimore Stallions.Situations changed for the Stallions when the CFL decided to add teams in Memphis
Memphis Mad Dogs
The Memphis Mad Dogs were a Canadian football team that played the 1995 season in the Canadian Football League. The Mad Dogs were part of a failed attempt to expand the CFL into the United States....
and Birmingham
Birmingham Barracudas
The Birmingham Barracudas were a Canadian football team that played the 1995 season in the Canadian Football League. The Barracudas were part of a failed attempt to expand the CFL into the United States.-In the beginning:...
. In addition, their expansion cousins the Las Vegas Posse
Las Vegas Posse
The Las Vegas Posse was a Canadian Football League team that played the 1994 season as part of the CFL's short-lived American expansion. The Posse was one of the least successful CFL teams, both on the field and off.-On the field:...
folded, while the Sacramento Gold Miners
Sacramento Gold Miners
The Sacramento Gold Miners were a Canadian football team based in Sacramento, California. The franchise was the first American team in the Canadian Football League. The Gold Miners were originally the "descendants" of the Sacramento Surge from the defunct World League of American Football...
relocated to San Antonio as the San Antonio Texans
San Antonio Texans
The San Antonio Texans were a Canadian Football League team that played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1995 CFL season. They had relocated from Sacramento, California, where the team had been called the Sacramento Gold Miners...
. The CFL decided that with five U.S. teams (including the financially challenged Shreveport Pirates
Shreveport Pirates
The Shreveport Pirates were a Canadian Football League team, playing at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, in 1994 and 1995....
) in their league, it was appropriate to re-align their two divisions and to place all the U.S. teams in the new South Division
CFL USA
The term CFL USA refers to the abortive expansion of the Canadian Football League into the United States in the early-to-mid 1990s. The 1993 CFL season saw the addition of the first American team to the league, the Sacramento Gold Miners...
, while the Canadian teams were in the North Division
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....
. Despite the changes to their name and to the league environment, the Baltimore Stallions returned with virtually the same roster. The exception was the signing of former Posse kicker Carlos Huerta
Carlos Huerta
Carlos Huerta was a gridiron football kicker in three professional leagues.After playing his college football at the University of Miami, Huerta joined the Las Vegas Posse, a Canadian Football League expansion franchise...
to replace Donald Igwebuike, who moved on to play with Memphis. By keeping the same players from the '94 season, optimism and Grey Cup expectations were high for the Stallions. Optimism became reality as Baltimore continued their on-field dominance from the previous season by finishing with a 15–3 regular season record, finishing first in the South Division and tying for the best record in the league with Calgary
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...
. Quarterback Tracy Ham with Mike Pringle and Robert Drummond
Robert Drummond (football player)
Robert Drummond is a former gridiron football running back.While Drummond played American football for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, he competed in the Canadian Football League from 1994 to 2002...
were the most potent backfield in the CFL. Chris Armstrong
Chris Armstrong (Canadian football)
Chris Armstrong was a Canadian Football League receiver who played 9 seasons for five different teams. In 2008, he was named offensive coordinator of the Maryland Maniacs of the Indoor Football League....
became the team's top receiver and the defense continued dominating opponents by allowing only 369 points-against, ranking the squad third in team defense. Mike Pringle had a slight drop-off from his '94 numbers by rushing for 1,791 yards, while his yards-per-carry fell to 5.8 from 6.4 in '94. However, Pringle's statistics were still better than most running backs' stats in the league that year and he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player and would rise to the occasion in the playoffs.
After rolling over Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
36–21 in the divisional semifinals, Don Matthews and his team easily handled the San Antonio Texans in the Southern finals, winning the game 21–11 to advance to the Grey Cup for the second straight season. The Stallions were headed to Regina
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...
's Taylor Field
Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field
Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field is a sports stadium located in Regina, Saskatchewan which is used primarily to play Canadian football. It has been the home of the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders in rudimentary form since 1910 and as a complete stadium since 1936...
to face the 15–3 North Division champion Calgary Stampeders, who were led by coach Wally Buono
Wally Buono
Pasquale "Wally" Buono is the head coach, general manager and alternate governor of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, and one of the most successful coaches in league history. He is in his 19th year of coaching, previously as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders and currently with the...
, QB Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
, and his two top receivers, 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...
and Dave Sapunjis
Dave Sapunjis
David B. Sapunjis is a former wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders from 1990-1996. Sapunjis won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award two times and was the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian three times. He played college football at the University of Western Ontario where he was also a...
. During the Grey Cup game, the winds at Taylor Field were particularly strong and gusted up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph). That didn't slow down the Stallions, as they opened the game with a Chris Wright
Chris Wright (football player)
Chris Wright is a former award winning Canadian Football League kick returner and Grey Cup champion.Wright played college football at Georgia Southern. His first year as a professional was successful, for as kick returner with the Baltimore Stallions he scored 3 touchdowns on punt returns and added...
82-yard punt return touchdown (a Grey Cup record) just 2:20 into the game. After Calgary responded by scoring the next 13 points to take a 13–7 lead, Baltimore replied with four consecutive scores, including three Carlos Huerta field goals against the wind, the longest from 53 yards (another Grey Cup record). O.J. Brigance blocked a Calgary punt with just under eight minutes to go in the half; it was scooped up by Alvin Walton
Alvin Walton
Alvin Earl Walton is a former American football safety who was selected by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 180 safety from the University of Kansas, Walton played in six NFL seasons from 1986-1991. He started in Super Bowl XXII for the Redskins...
at the five. He dove over for Baltimore's lone touchdown of the half. In the third quarter after a Baltimore single, Flutie managed to score a touchdown on a one-yard plunge, but it was the last scoring for Calgary as the Stallions' defense managed to shut down the league's top-ranked offense. Stallions quarterback Tracy Ham responded by throwing 213 yards with a touchdown of his own, while Huerta kicked two more field goals to round out Baltimore's scoring as they dominated the Stampeders for a 37–20 victory to become the first American team to win the Grey Cup. Pringle was a playoff workhorse and ran for 484 yards and four touchdowns in all three playoff games. After the game, Tracy Ham became the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player. However, as discussed below, celebrations for the franchise was short-lived after their Grey Cup triumph.
1995 accomplishments
After the season, other Baltimore Stallions' received awards and accomplishments in the CFL, which are:Divisional Awards
- Most Valuable Player of the East DivisionTerry Evanshen TrophyThe Terry Evanshen Trophy is a trophy awarded to the Canadian Football League East Division's Most Outstanding Player, chosen from the nominees of each team in the division...
– Mike Pringle (RB) - Most Outstanding Rookie of the East DivisionFrank M. Gibson TrophyThe Frank M. Gibson Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, given to the most outstanding rookie in the East Division. Each team from the East Division nominates a candidate from which a winner is chosen, and either this winner or the winner of the Jackie Parker Trophy will receive the...
– Chris WrightChris Wright (football player)Chris Wright is a former award winning Canadian Football League kick returner and Grey Cup champion.Wright played college football at Georgia Southern. His first year as a professional was successful, for as kick returner with the Baltimore Stallions he scored 3 touchdowns on punt returns and added...
(WR) - Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award of the East DivisionLeo Dandurand TrophyThe Leo Dandurand Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy is awarded to the Most Outstanding Lineman in the East Division. The winner of this trophy is chosen from a group of nominees, one from each team in the East Division...
– Mike WithycombeMike WithycombeWilliam Michael Withycombe is a former professional American and Canadian football offensive lineman who played three seasons in the Canadian Football League, mainly for the Baltimore Stallions. Previously he played four seasons in the NFL for three different teams. He played college football at...
(OG)
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...
– Mike Pringle (RB) - 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...
– Mike WithycombeMike WithycombeWilliam Michael Withycombe is a former professional American and Canadian football offensive lineman who played three seasons in the Canadian Football League, mainly for the Baltimore Stallions. Previously he played four seasons in the NFL for three different teams. He played college football at...
(OG) - CFL's 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...
– Don MatthewsDon MatthewsDon Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins... - Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player – Tracy HamTracy HamTracy Ham is a retired Canadian Football League quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Stallions, and the Montreal Alouettes. He was known for his abilities as a dual threat quarterback...
(QB)
1995 Southern All-Stars
Offense
- Mike Pringle (RB)
- Chris ArmstrongChris Armstrong (Canadian football)Chris Armstrong was a Canadian Football League receiver who played 9 seasons for five different teams. In 2008, he was named offensive coordinator of the Maryland Maniacs of the Indoor Football League....
(SB) - Mike WithycombeMike WithycombeWilliam Michael Withycombe is a former professional American and Canadian football offensive lineman who played three seasons in the Canadian Football League, mainly for the Baltimore Stallions. Previously he played four seasons in the NFL for three different teams. He played college football at...
(OG) - Shar PourdaneshShar PourdaneshShahriar Pourdanesh is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 2001 when in 2001 a severe knee injury cut his career short.He previously played with the Baltimore...
(OT) - Neal FortNeal FortNeal Fort is a former professional American football player. In college, he played for Brigham Young University. He was an offensive lineman in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and the Canadian Football League for the Baltimore Stallions and Montreal Alouettes for most of his career...
(OT)
Defense
- Jerald BaylisJearld BaylisJearld Baylis was a star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League.Baylis played college football at University of Southern Mississippi. He had a 10 year career from 1986 to 1995 for four different teams. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1993 and was a CFL...
(DT) - Elfrid PaytonElfrid PaytonElfrid Payton was an all-star football player in the Canadian Football League.Payton graduated from Grambling State University.-Career:Payton played with seven different teams over the course of his career....
(DE) - Tracy GravelyTracy GravelyTracy Gravely , a native of Kimball, West Virginia, is a former all star linebacker in the Canadian Football League.A graduate of Concord University, where he was West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1989, he signed with the New York Giants, but never...
(LB) - O. J. BriganceO. J. BriganceO. J. Brigance is a former championship football player in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.-Football career:...
(LB) - Irvin SmithIrvin SmithIrvin Smith is a former gridiron football defensive back. He played for the Baltimore Stallions in the Canadian Football League. Smith played college football at Maryland....
(CB) - Charles Anthony (DB)
Special Teams
- Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
(P) - Chris WrightChris Wright (football player)Chris Wright is a former award winning Canadian Football League kick returner and Grey Cup champion.Wright played college football at Georgia Southern. His first year as a professional was successful, for as kick returner with the Baltimore Stallions he scored 3 touchdowns on punt returns and added...
(ST)
1995 CFL All-Stars
Offense
- Mike Pringle (RB)
- Mike WithycombeMike WithycombeWilliam Michael Withycombe is a former professional American and Canadian football offensive lineman who played three seasons in the Canadian Football League, mainly for the Baltimore Stallions. Previously he played four seasons in the NFL for three different teams. He played college football at...
(OG) - Neal FortNeal FortNeal Fort is a former professional American football player. In college, he played for Brigham Young University. He was an offensive lineman in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and the Canadian Football League for the Baltimore Stallions and Montreal Alouettes for most of his career...
(OT)
Defense
- Jerald BaylisJearld BaylisJearld Baylis was a star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League.Baylis played college football at University of Southern Mississippi. He had a 10 year career from 1986 to 1995 for four different teams. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1993 and was a CFL...
(DT) - O. J. BriganceO. J. BriganceO. J. Brigance is a former championship football player in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.-Football career:...
(LB) - Irvin SmithIrvin SmithIrvin Smith is a former gridiron football defensive back. He played for the Baltimore Stallions in the Canadian Football League. Smith played college football at Maryland....
(CB) - Charles Anthony (DB)
Special Teams
- Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
(P) - Chris WrightChris Wright (football player)Chris Wright is a former award winning Canadian Football League kick returner and Grey Cup champion.Wright played college football at Georgia Southern. His first year as a professional was successful, for as kick returner with the Baltimore Stallions he scored 3 touchdowns on punt returns and added...
(ST)
Off the field
Overall, Baltimore had strong dedicated ownership and experienced CFL personnel and players. These factors made it the most successful American team in the CFL, especially when they became the 1995 Grey Cup champions. Unlike the other American teams in the CFL, the Baltimore Stallions had a strong fan base and had strong attendance numbers, averaging 37,347 in 1994 (first in the CFL) and 30,112 in 1995 (second in the CFL).In the end
After the 1995 season, the CFL decided to disband all American franchises with the exception of the Stallions and TexansSan Antonio Texans
The San Antonio Texans were a Canadian Football League team that played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1995 CFL season. They had relocated from Sacramento, California, where the team had been called the Sacramento Gold Miners...
. However, not long after that Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
owner Art Modell
Art Modell
Arthur B. Modell is an American businessman, entrepreneur and former National Football League team owner. He owned the Cleveland Browns franchise from 1961–1995 and the Baltimore Ravens franchise from 1996–2004. Modell is the grandson of the late Morris Modell who founded the northeast...
announced he was moving his team to Baltimore. This would have made the Stallions the only CFL team to compete directly with the NFL. While the Stallions had been a runaway hit, Speros knew they could not hope to go head-to-head with an NFL team and announced plans to move. After scouting out Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, Speros decided to move the franchise to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and the team became the third incarnation of 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...
. After owning the team for one more season Speros sold the Montreal Alouettes to Robert C. Wetenhall
Robert C. Wetenhall
Robert C. Wetenhall, Sr. is the owner of the Montreal Alouettes Football Club of the Canadian Football League since 1997.- References :...
in 1997. The Alouettes have since become one of the league's most successful franchises, winning the Grey Cup in 2002, 2009 and 2010.
The Stallions had sixteen players signed by NFL teams for tryouts in 1996.
Retired
- Rob DavisRob Davis (football player)Robert Emmett Davis is a former American football long snapper in the National Football League and current Director of Player Development for the Green Bay Packers. He was originally signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
- Neal FortNeal FortNeal Fort is a former professional American football player. In college, he played for Brigham Young University. He was an offensive lineman in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and the Canadian Football League for the Baltimore Stallions and Montreal Alouettes for most of his career...
- Mike Pringle
- Tracy HamTracy HamTracy Ham is a retired Canadian Football League quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Stallions, and the Montreal Alouettes. He was known for his abilities as a dual threat quarterback...
- Donald IgwebuikeDonald IgwebuikeDonald Amechi Igwebuike is a former Nigerian kicker of American football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . He is the fourth place all-time scorer for the Buccaneers with 416 overall points...
- Karl AnthonyKarl AnthonyKarl Anthony is a former all-star and award winning Canadian Football League defensive back and Grey Cup champion.Anthony played his college football at Southwest Missouri State University and first played professionally for 3 years with the Calgary Stampeders, where he was an all-star in 1993...
- Matt GoodwinMatt Goodwin (Canadian football)Matt Goodwin is a former award winning Canadian Football League linebacker and Grey Cup champion.Goodwin played his college football at Iowa State and played professionally for 2 years with the Baltimore Stallions...
- Shar PourdaneshShar PourdaneshShahriar Pourdanesh is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Oakland Raiders from 1996 to 2001 when in 2001 a severe knee injury cut his career short.He previously played with the Baltimore...
- O. J. BriganceO. J. BriganceO. J. Brigance is a former championship football player in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.-Football career:...
- Elfrid PaytonElfrid PaytonElfrid Payton was an all-star football player in the Canadian Football League.Payton graduated from Grambling State University.-Career:Payton played with seven different teams over the course of his career....
- Jerald BaylisJearld BaylisJearld Baylis was a star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League.Baylis played college football at University of Southern Mississippi. He had a 10 year career from 1986 to 1995 for four different teams. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1993 and was a CFL...
- Irvin SmithIrvin SmithIrvin Smith is a former gridiron football defensive back. He played for the Baltimore Stallions in the Canadian Football League. Smith played college football at Maryland....
- Dan Crowley
- Don MatthewsDon MatthewsDon Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins...
- Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
See also
- CFL USA all time records and statisticsCFL USA all time records and statisticsCFL USA all time records and statisticsThis list combines the statistics and records of the seven CFL American teams from 1993 to 1995: Baltimore Stallions, Birmingham Barracudas, Las Vegas Posse, Memphis Mad Dogs, Sacramento Gold Miners, San Antonio Texans, and the Shreveport Pirates...
- Comparison of Canadian and American footballComparison of Canadian and American footballAmerican and Canadian football are very similar, as both have their origins in rugby football, but there are some key differences.-History:Football was introduced to North America in Canada by the British Army garrison in Montreal, which played a series of games with McGill University...
- CFL USACFL USAThe term CFL USA refers to the abortive expansion of the Canadian Football League into the United States in the early-to-mid 1990s. The 1993 CFL season saw the addition of the first American team to the league, the Sacramento Gold Miners...
- 1994 CFL season1994 CFL seasonThe 1994 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 41st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 37th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1994:...
- 1995 CFL season1995 CFL seasonThe 1995 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 42nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 38th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1995:...
- 82nd Grey Cup82nd Grey CupThe 82nd Grey Cup was the 1994 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Baltimore Football Club and the BC Lions at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC. It was the first-ever championship in professional football history to feature a United States-vs-Canada matchup...
- 83rd Grey Cup83rd Grey CupThe 83rd Grey Cup aka The Wind Bowl was the 1995 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Baltimore Stallions and the Calgary Stampeders at Taylor Field in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Stallions won the game by a score of 37-20...
- Montreal AlouettesMontreal AlouettesThe 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...