The CFL Hall of Fame will induct five players, a head coach with an impressive resume on both sides of the border and a former commissioner in 2021.
The players are receiver Nik Lewis, defensive backs Orlando Steinauer and Don Wilson and defensive linemen Will Johnson and Mike Walker.
Lewis played 14 seasons in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders (2004-2014) and the Montreal Alouettes (2015-2017), appearing in 226 games. Lewis began his career in Calgary, where he eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his first nine years, a feat he repeated again in 2016 with Montreal. He recorded six seasons with 80 or more receptions and two seasons with 100 or more catches. Lewis became the CFL’s all-time receptions leader in 2017, with a total 1,051 receptions.
He was a six-time Division All-Star and a three-time CFL All-Star during his career. Lewis finished with 13,778 receiving yards, ranking him fifth all-time and added 71 touchdown receptions.
Will Johnson was a CFL sack master.
Johnson played 132 games during his nine seasons in the CFL. He played eight with the Calgary Stampeders (1989-1996) and one with Saskatchewan (1997), appearing in three Grey Cups, and becoming a Grey Cup champion with Calgary in 1992. He was named a West Division All-Star six times and a CFL All-Star on five occasions.
A model of consistency, Johnson is credited with 99 sacks, good for 13th on the CFL all-time list.
Orlando Steinauer is a two-time Grey Cup champion as a player (1999 and 2004).
A dominant defensive back known as much for his smarts and his athleticism, Steinauer played for 13 seasons in the CFL, with the Ottawa Rough Riders (1996), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1997-2000) and the Toronto Argonauts (2001-2008). He was named an all-star at three different positions (cornerback, halfback and safety), earning seven East All-Star nods and five CFL All-Star honours in total.
Steinauer career featured 49 interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns. His 1,178 interception return yards are the second most in CFL history behind Less Browne (1,508). He is currently the Head Coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Mike Walker anchored some of the best defences in CFL history.
He enjoyed a 10-year career in the CFL, playing in 135 games for Hamilton (1982-1989) and Edmonton (1990-1991), and capturing a Grey Cup championship with the Tiger-Cats in 1986, the same year he had a career-high 21 sacks.
Walker finished his career with a total of 95.5 sacks (14th all-time), 149 tackles, nine fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He was named a Division All-Star on four occasions and a CFL all-Star three times.
Don Wilson never lost a Grey Cup game.
Wilson played 12 seasons in the CFL as a defensive back with Edmonton (1987-1989, 1993-1994, 1998), Toronto (1990-1992, 1995-1996), and BC (1997). The North Carolina State product played in 197 games and appeared in four Grey Cups, winning all four (1987 1991, 1993 and 1996). Wilson was named a Divisional All-Star six times and a CFL All-Star four times.
Marv Levy was named the head coach for the Montreal Alouettes in 1973, following coaching stints in the NFL and NCAA. The Alouettes appeared in the playoffs in all five seasons he led the team, capturing Canadian football’s most cherished prize, the Grey Cup in 1974 and 1977.
In 1974, he was honoured with the Annis Stukus Trophy as CFL’s coach of the year. The Alouettes compiled a record of 43-31-4 (.577) during his tenure.
With this announcement, Levy is about to become only the third person to be enshrined in both the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum, in Hamilton, Ontario, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio. The latter has recognized Levy for leading the NFL’s Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances following his success in Montreal and his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs. Levy joins Bud Grant and Warren Moon to be enshrined in both Halls of Fame.
Doug Mitchell’s unbridled passion for football has made the game stronger at the amateur and professional level.
Mitchell played for the BC Lions, but that was just the start of his many football accomplishments and contributions. His contributions to sport, and in particular his dedication to football, have been defining features of his life, along with his successful law career and the remarkable family he has built with his wife Lois.
Perhaps best known as the CFL’s sixth Commissioner, serving in that capacity from 1984 to 1988, Mitchell has also served on the CFL’s Board of Governors, as a representative of the Calgary Stampeders. His many contributions to Canadian university football include the creation of the U SPORTS Athlete of the Year Awards honouring Canadian university student-athletes. The honour – formerly known as the Howard Mackie, BLG and Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards – were recently renamed The Honourable Lois Mitchell and Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athlete of the Year Awards.
The formal induction of the Class of 2021 – now scheduled for Grey Cup Week this November in Hamilton — will bring the total number of Hall of Fame members to 316.
The 2020 Class was announced last year but its induction was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That ceremony is now scheduled for August 6 in Hamilton, Ontario. The class of 2020 comprises Clyde Brock, Henry Burris, Freddie Childress, John Hufnagel, Larry Uteck and Greg Vavra will also be honoured during the Hall of Fame Game, scheduled for August 7, between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders.
