TrueBlue Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 TORONTO (June 14, 2017) -- The Canadian Football League (CFL) have released the following statement on the death of legendary coach, Don Matthews: Upon hearing of the passing of Don Matthews, the Canadian Football League family is both deeply saddened by this loss and grateful for his many contributions to our league. The Don, as he was known, was one of a kind. He was a leader for so many of our greatest players and teams. He was a mentor to many of our current coaches. He was a charismatic star that loved to spar with the media at the same time he commanded the spotlight. The record book is filled with his accomplishments. He won five Grey Cups as a head coach, with Toronto (2), Montreal, Baltimore and British Columbia. That ties him for the most ever, with three other legends (Wally Buono, Frank Clair and Hugh Campbell). He was a head coach in nine Grey Cups in total, tying him for the most ever. He won five more Grey Cup rings as a defensive coordinator, all with Edmonton. He won 231 regular season games as a head coach, which made him the winningest coach in CFL history until his total was eclipsed just a few years ago. His defences and his teams inevitably took on his persona: they were bold, brash, confident. And like him, they were winners. A Canadian Football Hall of Famer, Don Matthews had style and swagger and a passion for life as well as football, and the CFL was more colourful, more compelling and simply better because he was part of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, all those who knew him and loved him, and the countless fans who will long remember him. - Jim Lawson, Chair of the CFL’s Board of Governors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Dee Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 That guy had an innovative flare for football in this the CFL league. Brilliance throughout the years. A sad day for football and the CFL SPuDS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Perfect Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 RIP The Don "If we play our best, and they play their best, well then I like out chances" My favourite quote of his that I recall hearing on a pregame on OB when facing the Bombers when we had some beauty tilts in 2001. Mr Dee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 One of the most colourful/polarizing/brilliant figures in the CFL's history. Thank you Don, for all you did to make this an entertaining and occasionally infuriating game. Mr Dee and kelownabomberfan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Guy remade the CFL... I'd definitely give him credit for influencing guys like Mark Nelson and Noel Thorpe Mr Dee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goalie Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 He was a mad man. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noeller Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Despised that man when he coached in this league....biggest ******* there was, at the time. But without question one of the greatest to have ever coached the game. RIP "The Don"... blue_gold_84, Goalie, Wideleft and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iHeart Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 how so, I wasn't around during his time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigg jay Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 3 minutes ago, Noeller said: Despised that man when he coached in this league....biggest ******* there was, at the time. But without question one of the greatest to have ever coached the game. RIP "The Don"... My thoughts exactly. I'm sure I would have loved him had he coached here though. As much I disliked him, I could never argue with his success. RIP to The Don Noeller, johnzo, Taynted_Fayth and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taynted_Fayth Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 One of the best, if not the best coaches since I really got into the CFL about 16 years ago. I echo the sentiments with regards to hated him and the dirty birds (more so when we were in the east) but the guy was a winner. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_gold_84 Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 A CFL legend. He will be missed. Rest In Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBURGESS Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 The Don was one of the best coaches in CFL history. He'd tell you as much if you asked him. Would have loved to have him as the Bomber coach. RIP SPuDS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaconNBigBlue Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 RIP Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noeller Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 @EdTaitWFC Think about this, CFL fans: 1982 Eskimo coaching staff featured HC Hugh Campbell and had Cal Murphy, Don Matthews as assistants. Legends all Unreal... johnzo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPuDS Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 RIP Don.. he was a great part of the CFL for a very long time. will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpan85 Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 3 hours ago, Floyd said: Guy remade the CFL... I'd definitely give him credit for influencing guys like Mark Nelson and Noel Thorpe He influenced Chris Jones most. Noeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBlue Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I had always wished we could of got him here to run Bomberville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnzo Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) One of the greatest of all time. His 1980s Lions teams were juggernauts, complete teams with no weaknesses. They set the standard in the CFL West after the Edmonton dynasty faded. Also gotta give him props for being so frank about his anxiety disorder. Always impressed when a guy in a macho business like football can talk about their emotional illness. Edited June 14, 2017 by johnzo blue_gold_84 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacquie Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 RIP Don and condolences to his family and friends. There will never be another one like him. Love him or hate him, you couldn't help but respect him. kelownabomberfan and TBURGESS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wbbfan Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 One of the very best in league history. Beating a don powered team in the regular season felt like a play off win. Had a ton of respect and admiration for him. Y2C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelownabomberfan Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Still remember Berry and Marshall flipping Bucky the bird on the sidelines during a game with Montreal in 2006, and Bucky is just standing there grinning. Because he was winning. Drove me so crazy I was flipping the bird at him from my living room and throwing stuff. But he sure knew how to win!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Jpan85 said: His biggest influence is Chris Jones. The man is dead. You don't have to insult him. Fatty Liver, Noeller, yogi and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnzo Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 10 minutes ago, wbbfan said: . Beating a don powered team in the regular season felt like a play off win. I'll never forget the home game vs. the Lions in 1984 .... our D got on a tear and sacked Dewalt a bunch ... the Lions ended the first quarter with -50 net yards ... Mervyn Fernandez was owned by the Bomber secondary. The stadium was sold out and the crowd was losing its mind chanting BC SUCKS. That was one of the very few times we beat a Matthews / Dewalt BC team. Just like Calvillo and Trestman always had our number. BlueGoldBozo and wbbfan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zontar Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Add his time as DC in EDM he has the most impressive resume of anyone. Like Scotty Bowman it must have been hell to be in his doghouse but if he believed in you you hade it made. SPuDS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Great coach. Great CFL character. Would rank him near the top of the list of coaches. Sad to hear he is gone. SPuDS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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