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Posted

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.


 



 

Posted
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

Posted

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 

Posted (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 by johnzo
Posted

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!!

Posted
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.

Posted

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.

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