Don Matthews Passes Away

[TrueBlue]

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.

[Mr Dee]

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

 

[Mr. Perfect]

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.

[Tracker]

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.

[Floyd]

Guy remade the CFL...  I'd definitely give him credit for influencing guys like Mark Nelson and Noel Thorpe

[Goalie]

He was a mad man. RIP 

[Noeller]

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"...

[iHeart]

how so, I wasn't around during his time

[bigg jay]

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

[Taynted_Fayth]

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 

[blue_gold_84]

A CFL legend. He will be missed.

Rest In Peace.

[TBURGESS]

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

[BaconNBigBlue]

RIP Don. 

[Noeller]

@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...

[SPuDS]

RIP Don.. he was a great part of the CFL for a very long time.  will be missed.

[Jpan85]

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.

[BigBlue]

I had always wished we could of got him here to run Bomberville

[johnzo]

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

[Jacquie]

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.

[wbbfan]

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. 

[kelownabomberfan]

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!!

[Tracker]

2 hours ago, Jpan85 said:

His biggest influence is Chris Jones. 

The man is dead. You don't have to insult him.

[johnzo]

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.

[Zontar]

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.

[MC]

Great coach.  Great CFL character.  Would rank him near the top of the list of coaches.  Sad to hear he is gone.