The 1986 CFL season is considered to be the 33rd season in modern-day

Canadian football Canadian football () is a sport played 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 oval-shaped ball into the opposing team's scoring area ( ...

, although it is officially the 29th

Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a c ...

season.

CFL News in 1986

The Canadian Football League decided that all nine teams will play 18 games each, in the regular season. The playoff structure was revised to allow a fourth place team from one of the divisions to qualify for the playoffs if that fourth place team has earned more points in the regular season standings than the third place team from the other division. Until 1992, however, that team stayed in its own division for the playoffs (the league began American expansion in 1993, changing the rules along the way). The four qualifiers in one division played semi-finals and a final while the two qualifiers in the other division playing a home-and-home, total-points, 2-game playoff (this playoff format was last used in 1972). This was somewhat unfair to the first place team, who might no longer receive a first-round bye based simply on what happened at the bottom of its own division. (The current format, which began in 1997 after the league ceased its American operations, sees a fourth-place qualifier cross-over to the other division, essentially becoming the third-place team in that division.) As it turned out, 1986 was the only year this playoff format was needed. The Canadian Football League and the Canadian Football League Players Association agreed on a new three-year agreement. The Concordes changed their name to the Alouettes, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the founding of the original

Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes ( French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the East Division of the Cana ...

The Sports Network The Sports Network (TSN) is a Canadian English language sports specialty channel established by the Labatt Brewing Company in 1984 as part of the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels. Since 2001, it has been majority-owned by comm ...

started to carry live coverage of the first round of the 1986 Canadian College Draft from coast-to-coast. The

Winnipeg Blue Bombers The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a professional Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Blue Bombers compete in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member club of the league's West division. They play their home games at IG Fie ...

and the Montreal Alouettes played the first CFL pre-season game at Canada Games Stadium in

Saint John, New Brunswick Saint John is a seaport city of the Atlantic Ocean located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of ...

. Winnipeg won the game, 35–10. The CFL also amended the quota to the teams 35-man roster to include 13 imports, 19 non-imports and 3 quarterbacks. The designated import rule was eliminated. On the field, the end zones were reduced to 20 yards from 25 yards (in response to the popularity of the shortened end zones first used at BC Place in 1983). The amateur Canadian Football Association changed its name to

Football Canada Football Canada is the governing body for amateur gridiron football in Canada headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. Football Canada focuses primarily its own Canadian form of the sport, and is currently the world's only national governing body for ...

in June; the Football Canada name had long been used in French. The

CTV Television Network The CTV Television Network, commonly known as CTV, is a Television in Canada, Canadian English-language terrestrial television network. Launched in 1961 and acquired by BCE Inc. in 2000, CTV is Canada's largest privately owned List of Canadian ...

ceased CFL broadcasts after this season; it had aired CFL games since 1962. The league-run syndicated Canadian Football Network took its place the next season.

Regular season standings

Final regular season standings

''Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points'' *Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs.

Grey Cup playoffs

The

Hamilton Tiger-Cats The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fie ...

are the 1986

Grey Cup The Grey Cup (french: Coupe Grey) is both the championship game of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the trophy awarded to the victorious team playing in the namesake championship of professional Canadian football. The game is contested be ...

champions, defeating the

Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at the Brick Field at Comm ...

39–15, at

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. ...

BC Place Stadium BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Located at the north side of False Creek, it is owned and operated by the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), a crown corporation of the province. The venue is currently ...

. This was Hamilton's first Grey Cup victory since 1972. The Tiger-Cats' Mike Kerrigan (QB) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Offence and

Grover Covington Grover Covington (born March 25, 1956) is a former Canadian Football League defensive end for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Professional career Covington's career began in 1981 as a free agent signing ...

(DE) was named Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Defence, while Paul Osbaldiston (K/P) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian.

Playoff bracket

*''Hamilton won their 2 game total-point series against Toronto by outscoring them 59–56. The Tiger-Cats advanced to the Grey Cup Championship game.''

CFL Leaders

* CFL Passing Leaders * CFL Rushing Leaders * CFL Receiving Leaders

1986 CFL All-Stars

Offence

*QB – Rick Johnson, Calgary Stampeders *RB –

Gary Allen Frederick Gary Allen (August 2, 1936 – November 29, 1986) was an American conservative writer Allen was the father of four children, including Michael Allen, a political news journalist. Allen died as the result of a liver ailment in 1986 i ...

, Calgary Stampeders *RB – Bobby Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB –

Joe Poplawski Joe Poplawski (born August 2, 1957) is a former professional Canadian football receiver who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1978 to 1986. Professional career Poplawski was originally a territorial ex ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *SB – Rocky DiPietro, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *WR – James Murphy, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *WR – James Hood, Montreal Alouettes *C –

Bob Poley Robert "Pole Cat" or "Polecat" Poley (born November 15, 1955 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played fifteen seasons in the Canadian Football League for two teams. He was named CFL All-St ...

, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders *OG –

Leo Blanchard Leo Blanchard (born March 12, 1955, in Edmonton, Alberta) is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played between 1979 and 1991 in the Canadian Football League, mainly for the Edmonton Eskimos, but also for the Calgary S ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *OT – Chris Walby, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *OT –

Rudy Phillips Rudolph Phillips is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played seven seasons in the Canadian Football League, mainly for the Ottawa Rough Riders. He played college football at North Texas University. He won the CFL's ...

, Edmonton Eskimos

Defence

*DT –

Harold Hallman Harold Hallman (December 10, 1962 – December 23, 2005) was a Canadian Football League defensive tackle who played eight seasons in the CFL, mainly for the Toronto Argonauts. Hallman was a four-time All Star and won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 1 ...

, Calgary Stampeders *DT – Brett Williams, Montreal Alouettes *DE – James "Quick" Parker, BC Lions *DE –

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB –

Danny Bass Danny Bass (born March 31, 1958) is a former linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts in 1980, Calgary Stampeders from 1981–1983 and the Edmonton Eskimos from 1984-1991 of the Canadian Football League. He won a Grey Cup for the Eskimos and playe ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – Tyrone Jones, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *LB –

Willie Pless Willy or Willie is a masculine, male given name, often a diminutive form of William or Wilhelm, and occasionally a nickname. It may refer to: People Given name or nickname * Willie Aames (born 1960), American actor, television director, and scre ...

, Toronto Argonauts *CB – Roy Bennett, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *CB – Less Browne, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *DB –

Larry Crawford Larry Crawford (born December 18, 1959) is an American former Canadian football player. He played in the Canadian Football League for nine years. Crawford played defensive back for the BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts from 1981-1989. He was a CFL ...

, BC Lions *DB – Mark Streeter, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *S –

Scott Flagel Scott Flagel (born September 26, 1961) is a former defensive back who played ten seasons in the Canadian Football League for four teams. Flagel was the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1987 and was a CFL All-Star three time ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Special teams

*P – Hank Ilesic, Toronto Argonauts *K – Lance Chomyc, Toronto Argonauts *ST –

, Calgary Stampeders

1986 Eastern All-Stars

Offence

*QB – Mike Kerrigan, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *RB –

Walter Bender Walter Bender is a technologist and researcher who works in the field of electronic publishing, media and technology for learning. From the MIT Media Lab's founding 1985 through 2006, Bender directed the lab's Electronic Publishing Group. Previou ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *RB –

Jim Reid James McLeish Reid (born 29 December 1961) is a Scottish singer/songwriter and the lead singer for the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, which he formed with his elder brother and guitarist William Reid in 1983. Career The Jes ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *SB – Mark Barousse, Ottawa Rough Riders *SB – Rocky DiPietro, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *WR – Tony Champion, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *WR – James Hood, Montreal Alouettes *C –

Marv Allemang Marv Allemang (born 3 December 1953) is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman and defensive lineman who played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League. He most notably played center for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OG – Jason Riley, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OG – Dan Ferrone, Toronto Argonauts *OT –

Lloyd Fairbanks Lloyd Fairbanks (born April 28, 1953, in Raymond, Alberta) is a former Canadian Football League offensive lineman who played seventeen seasons in the CFL. Fairbanks was named to the CFL's All-Star team 5 times. Fairbanks was announced as a mem ...

, Montreal Alouettes *OT –

Miles Gorrell Miles Gorrell (born October 16, 1955) is a former all star offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. The five-time divisional All-Star and two-time Outstanding Lineman finalist sits sixth on the record books for games played (321) from 19 ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Defence

*DT – Mike Walker, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *DT – Brett Williams, Montreal Alouettes *DE –

Rodney Harding Rodney Harding (born August 1, 1962) was a defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. Harding played college football at Oklahoma State University. He had a 12-year career in the Canadian Football League from 1985 to 1996, and he playe ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DE –

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB – Ben Zambiasi, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB – Leo Ezerins, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB –

, Toronto Argonauts *CB – Terry Irvin, Montreal Alouettes *CB – Less Browne, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *DB –

Carl Brazley Carl Eugene Brazley (born September 5, 1957 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a former football player in the Canadian Football League for thirteen years. Brazley played defensive back for the Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argona ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DB – Mark Streeter, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *S – Rick Ryan, Montreal Alouettes

Special teams

*P – Hank Ilesic, Toronto Argonauts *K – Lance Chomyc, Toronto Argonauts *ST – Jeff Treftlin, Montreal Alouettes

1986 Western All-Stars

Offence

*QB – Rick Johnson, Calgary Stampeders *RB –

, Calgary Stampeders *RB – Bobby Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB –

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *SB – Emanuel Tolbert, Calgary Stampeders *WR – James Murphy, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *WR – Ray Alexander, Calgary Stampeders *C –

, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders *OG –

, Edmonton Eskimos *OT – Chris Walby, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *OT –

, Edmonton Eskimos

Defence

*DT –

, Calgary Stampeders *DT –

James Zachery James Zachery (August 27, 1958 – January 25, 1994) was an American football defensive lineman who played eight seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Montreal Alouettes, Montreal Concordes and Edmonton Eskimos. He was drafted ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *DE – James "Quick" Parker, BC Lions *DE –

Stewart Hill Stewart Hill (born March 16, 1962) is a former award-winning linebacker in the Canadian Football League. After playing college football with the University of Washington, Hill went to Canada and signed with the Edmonton Eskimos. He would play i ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – Tyrone Jones, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *LB – Billy Jackson, Saskatchewan Roughriders *CB – Roy Bennett, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *CB – Mel Jenkins, Calgary Stampeders *DB –

, BC Lions *DB – Richie Hall, Calgary Stampeders *S –

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Special teams

*P –

Tom Dixon Tom or Tommy Dixon may refer to: *Tom Dixon (American football) (born 1961), American football player * Tom Dixon (catcher) (1906–1982), Negro league baseball catcher * Tom Dixon (pitcher) (born 1955), Major League Baseball pitcher * Tom Dixon (C ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *K – J. T. Hay, Calgary Stampeders *ST –

, Calgary Stampeders

1986 CFL Awards

CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award The Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The two nominees for the award are the Terry Evanshen Trophy winner from the East Division, and the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy winner from ...

– James Murphy (WR), Winnipeg Blue Bombers *

CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award The Most Outstanding Canadian Award is annually awarded to the best Canadian player in the Canadian Football League. The two nominees for the award are the Lew Hayman Trophy winner from the East Division, and the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy winner ...

–

(SB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers *

CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award The Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award is annually awarded to the best defensive player in the Canadian football League. The winner of the award is selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada along with the head coaches in the CFL. ...

– James "Quick" Parker (DE), BC Lions * CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award – Roger Aldag (OG), Saskatchewan Roughriders * CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award –

(DT), Calgary Stampeders * CFLPA's Outstanding Community Service Award –

Tyrone Crews Tyrone Crews was a linebacker in the Canadian Football League playing 7 seasons with the BC Lions. A graduate of Kansas State University, Crews joined the Leos in 1981 and was part of their 1985 Grey Cup championship team. He was winner of th ...

(LB), BC Lions * CFL's Coach of the Year –

Al Bruno Albert P. Bruno (March 28, 1927 – October 5, 2014) was an American gridiron football player, administrator, and coach who served as the head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1983 to 1990. Early life He was born in 1927 in West Chester, P ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1986 Cfl Season

CFL The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...

Canadian Football League seasons