The 1996 CFL season is considered to be the 43rd season in modern-day

Canadian football Canadian football () is a team sport, 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 sco ...

, although it is officially the 39th

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 ci ...

season.

CFL News in 1996

At the

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 ...

's Board of Governors Meetings in February 1996, it was decided to end the league's four-year American experiment. The

Shreveport Pirates The Shreveport Pirates were a Canadian Football League team, playing at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, in 1994 and 1995. Despite a relatively strong fan base, they were one of the least successful of the CFL's A ...

had already disbanded; the league folded the

Memphis Mad Dogs The Memphis Mad Dogs were a Canadian football team that played the 1995 season in the Canadian Football League. The Mad Dogs were part of a failed attempt to expand the CFL into the United States. They played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. ...

and rejected a sale and relocation plan that would have allowed the

Birmingham Barracudas The Birmingham Barracudas were a Canadian football team that played the 1995 season in the Canadian Football League. The Barracudas were part of a failed attempt to expand the CFL into the United States. Franchise history In the beginning Ins ...

to move to Shreveport and survive, forcing that team's closure as well. The

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 ...

champion

Baltimore Stallions The Baltimore Stallions (known officially as the "Baltimore Football Club" and previously as the "Baltimore CFL Colts" in its inaugural season) were a Canadian Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States, which played ...

had opted to move elsewhere rather than face the daunting prospect of competing with the NFL's

Baltimore Ravens The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its ...

. When it was apparent the CFL was refocusing on Canada, Stallions owner

Jim Speros Jim Speros (born February 17, 1959) is an American businessman and former American football player and coach from Great Falls, Virginia, (Fairfax County), best known for his ownership of teams in the southern American expansion phase of the Cana ...

gave up the Stallions franchise and moved his organisation to

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

as the third incarnation of the

Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, 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 Canadian F ...

. Up until this time, the city of Montreal had been without

for nine seasons. Speros revived the Als' traditional colour scheme of blue, white, and red. Their logo was an angry bird running with a football; it was their helmet logo until 2019. Unwilling to continue as the lone American team in the league, the

San Antonio Texans The San Antonio Texans were a Canadian Football League (CFL) team that played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1995 CFL season. They had relocated from Sacramento, California, where the team had been called the Sacramento Gold Miners ...

voluntarily folded. A dispersal draft was held for the players on four of the five American teams—all except the Stallions. However, all of the Stallions players were released from their contracts. Alouettes general manager

Jim Popp James Thomas Popp (born December 21, 1964) is an American sports executive and coach currently working for the United States Football League (USFL) as the Director of Player Administration. He was previously a running back coach and assistant he ...

, who followed the Stallions organisation to Montreal, managed to re-sign many of them; he was limited to half of the Alouettes roster, since the Stallions as an American team were not subject to the league's requirement that half of a team's roster comprise Canadian citizens, and the Alouettes would be subject to that rule. To stock the roster with Canadians, a special expansion draft, in which only the Canadian citizens on each other team's roster were subject, was held to stock the Alouettes' roster. With the removal of the American teams, the CFL reverted to its traditional "

East East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth. Etymology As in other languages, the word is formed from the fac ...

West West or Occident is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sunset, Sun sets on the Earth. Etymology The word "west" is a Germanic languages, German ...

" alignment. The revived Alouettes were placed in the East Division and 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 Fiel ...

were placed back into the West Division, after 10 seasons. The

BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Lions compete in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and play their home games at BC Place. The Lions played their first seas ...

and the

Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium and are the third-old ...

underwent ownership changes.

Regular season standings

Final regular season standings

''Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points'' *Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs. *''Calgary and Toronto both have first round byes.''

Grey Cup playoffs

The

Toronto Argonauts The Toronto Argonauts (officially the Toronto Argonaut Football Club and colloquially known as the Argos) are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), based in Toronto, Ontario ...

are the 1996

champions, defeating the Edmonton Eskimos 43–37, at

Hamilton Hamilton may refer to: People * Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname ** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland ** Lord Hamilt ...

Ivor Wynne Stadium Ivor Wynne Stadium (formerly Civic Stadium) was a Canadian football stadium located at the corner of Balsam and Beechwood avenues, two blocks west of Gage Avenue North in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The stadium was the home of the Hamilton Tiger ...

. The Argonauts'

Doug Flutie Douglas Richard Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is an American former football quarterback whose professional career spanned 21 seasons. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), eight seasons in the Canadian Football League (CF ...

(QB) was named the

Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player The Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is awarded annually since 1959 to the player of the winning team who deemed to have had the best performance in the Grey Cup Game, the Canadian Football League's championship game. This award is prese ...

and

Mike Vanderjagt Michael John Vanderjagt ( ; born March 24, 1970) is a Canadian former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. He served as the Colts' placekicker from 1998 to ...

(K) was the

Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian The Dick Suderman Trophy (french: Trophée Dick Suderman) for the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian (''Le Canadien le plus précieux de la Coupe Grey'') is awarded annually to the Canadian player deemed to have the best performance in the Grey Cup ...

Playoff bracket

CFL Leaders

CFL Passing Leaders 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 ...

CFL Rushing Leaders The CFL was officially formed in 1958. Statistics for the IRFU/Eastern Division date back to 1954 whereas WIFU/Western Division statistics date back to 1950. See also *List of Canadian Football League annual passing leaders *List of Canadian F ...

CFL Receiving Leaders The CFL was officially formed in 1958. Statistics for the IRFU/Eastern Division date back to 1954 whereas WIFU/Western Division statistics date back to 1950. See also *List of Canadian Football League annual passing leaders *List of Canadian ...

1996 CFL All-Stars

Offence

*QB –

, Toronto Argonauts *FB – Robert Drummond, Toronto Argonauts *RB –

Robert Mimbs Robert Mimbs (born August 6, 1964, in Kansas City, Missouri) was a star Canadian Football League running back who played six seasons for three teams. He was named CFL All-Star three times and he won the Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy in 1991 and ...

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB –

Michael Soles Michael Soles (November 8, 1966 – July 7, 2021) was a Canadian professional football player who was a fullback in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at McGill University, where he was a two-time All-Canadian. ...

, Montreal Alouettes *SB –

Darren Flutie Darren Paul Flutie (born November 18, 1966) is a former Canadian football wide receiver for the BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is the Canadian Football League's fifth all-time leader in catches, behind Nik Lewis, ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *WR – Joseph Rogers, Ottawa Rough Riders *WR – Eddie Brown, Edmonton Eskimos *C –

Mike Kiselak Michael John Kiselak (born March 9, 1967 in Sleepy Hollow, New York, North Tarrytown, New York) is a former American football Guard (American football), guard in the Canadian Football League for the Sacramento Gold Miners, San Antonio Texans and ...

, Toronto Argonauts *OG –

Rocco Romano Rocco Romano (born January 23, 1963) is a former Canadian football player. He played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League, ten of those with the Calgary Stampeders, and was a five-time All-Star as an offensive lineman. While in Calgary, h ...

, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Leo Groenewegen, Edmonton Eskimos *OT – Chris Perez, Toronto Argonauts *OT –

Fred Childress Fred Childress, also known as Freddie Childress (born September 17, 1966) is a former all-star offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League. He was nicknamed as "the Big Chill" for his 6 feet 4 inch and 345 p ...

, Calgary Stampeders

Defence

*DT –

Rob Waldrop Robert F. Waldrop (born December 1, 1971) is a former American college and professional gridiron football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football a ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DT – Bennie Goods, Edmonton Eskimos *DE – Malvin Hunter, Edmonton Eskimos *DE – Grant Carter, Montreal Alouettes *LB –

Tracy Gravely Tracy Gravely (born April 24, 1968) is a former all star linebacker in the Canadian Football League. A graduate of Concord University,(13 September 1989)Boone County Matchup Between Unbeaten Concord, Tech ''Point Pleasant Register'' where he was ...

, Montreal Alouettes *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 scree ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – K. D. Williams, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *CB – Al Jordan, Calgary Stampeders *CB – Marvin Coleman, Calgary Stampeders *DB – Glenn Rogers Jr., Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Charles Gordon, Montreal Alouettes *DS – Trent Brown, Edmonton Eskimos

Special teams

*P –

Paul Osbaldiston Paul Osbaldiston (born April 27, 1964) is a former punter and placekicker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League from 1986-2003. He was the Assistant Special Teams/Kicking Coach for the Tiger-Cats until 2014. Osbaldiston w ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *K –

Mark McLoughlin Mark McLoughlin (born October 26, 1965) is a former placekicker in the Canadian Football League for the Calgary Stampeders from 1988 to 2003 and the BC Lions in 2005. He won three Grey Cups for the Stampeders in 1992, 1998, and 2001, and was the ...

, Calgary Stampeders *ST –

Jimmy Cunningham James "Jimmy The Jet" Cunningham (born January 1, 1973) is a former return specialist and wide receiver in the Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sport ...

, Toronto Argonauts

1996 Western All-Stars

Offence

*QB –

Jeff Garcia Jeffrey Jason Garcia (born February 24, 1970) is a former American football quarterback. After attending high school and junior college in Gilroy, California, Garcia played college football at San Jose State University. A four-time CFL All-Sta ...

, Calgary Stampeders *FB –

Sean Millington Sean Millington (born February 1, 1968) is a former Canadian Football League fullback and currently does colour commentary for the CFL’s website and the CBC. He has also acted in several movies and television shows. Before the CFL In 1984, ...

, BC Lions *RB –

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB –

Allen Pitts Allen Pitts (born June 28, 1964) is a former receiver for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League from 1990 to 2000. He attended Cal-State Fullerton and played his entire professional career as a receiver for the Calgary Stampeders. ...

, Calgary Stampeders *SB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *WR –

Terry Vaughn Terry Vaughn (born December 25, 1971) is a former Canadian Football League receiver most recently with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In 2005, Terry Vaughn's 1113 receiving yards combined with those of his teammates (Kerry Watkins's 1364 yards, Ben C ...

, Calgary Stampeders *WR – Eddie Brown, Edmonton Eskimos *C – Rod Connop, Edmonton Eskimos *OG –

, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Leo Groenewegen, Edmonton Eskimos *OT –

Chris Walby Chris Walby (born October 23, 1956) is a retired Canadian Football League player who played the offensive tackle position almost exclusively with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He won three Grey Cups with the Bombers in 1984, 1988, and 1990. Walby ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *OT –

, Calgary Stampeders

Defence

*DT – Rodney Harding, Calgary Stampeders *DT – Bennie Goods, Edmonton Eskimos *DE – Malvin Hunter, Edmonton Eskimos *DE – Leroy Blugh, Edmonton Eskimos *LB –

Angelo Snipes Angelo Bernard Snipes (born January 11, 1963) is a former American football linebacker in the United States Football League for the Oakland Invaders, and in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the San Diego Chargers, and the ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *LB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – K. D. Williams, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *CB – Al Jordan, Calgary Stampeders *CB – Marvin Coleman, Calgary Stampeders *DB – Glenn Rogers Jr., Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Andre Strode, BC Lions *DS – Trent Brown, Edmonton Eskimos

Special teams

*P – Tony Martino, Calgary Stampeders *K –

, Calgary Stampeders *ST – Marvin Coleman, Calgary Stampeders

1996 Eastern All-Stars

Offence

*QB –

, Toronto Argonauts *FB – Robert Drummond, Toronto Argonauts *RB – Mike Pringle, Montreal Alouettes *SB –

Mac Cody Macler Cody (born August 8, 1972) is a former American football wide receiver who played two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Memphis and attended Vashon High Sc ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *SB –

Jock Climie Jock Climie is a Canadian retired Canadian Football League player who played the slotback position primarily with the Ottawa Rough Riders, and Montreal Alouettes. He is also a former sportscaster with Canadian sports television channel TSN as ...

, Montreal Alouettes *WR – Joseph Rogers, Ottawa Rough Riders *WR –

Paul Masotti Paul Masotti (born March 10, 1965) is a former professional Canadian football player and current front office executive with the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts. Masotti played the wide receiver position for 12 seasons with the Toronto ...

, Toronto Argonauts *C –

, Toronto Argonauts *OG –

Bruce Beaton Bruce Beaton (born June 13, 1968 in Port Hood, Nova Scotia) is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played 13 seasons in the Canadian Football League for five different teams. He was named CFL All-Star three times and was ...

, Montreal Alouettes *OG – Blaine Schmidt, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OT – Chris Perez, Toronto Argonauts *OT –

Neal Fort Neal Fort (born April 12, 1968) is a former professional American football player. In college, he played for Brigham Young University. He was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and the Canadian Foo ...

, Montreal Alouettes

Defence

*DT –

, Toronto Argonauts *DT – Mike Philbrick, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *DE –

Reggie Givens Reginald Alonzo Givens (born October 3, 1971) is a former American football linebacker in both the Canadian Football League and National Football League for the Baltimore Stallions, Toronto Argonauts, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DE – Grant Carter, Montreal Alouettes *LB –

, Montreal Alouettes *LB – Paul Randolph, Montreal Alouettes *LB –

Lamar McGriggs Lamar V. McGriggs (born May 9, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League linebacker, having last played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was drafted in the eighth round of the 1991 NFL Draft by ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *CB –

Irvin Smith Irvin Smith (born March 12, 1967) is a former gridiron football defensive back. Smith played college football at Maryland. Smith attended Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Maryland, where he led the team to the state championship game ...

, Montreal Alouettes *CB –

Adrion Smith Adrion "Pee Wee" Smith (born September 29, 1971) was a football player in the CFL for twelve years. Smith played defensive back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Memphis Mad Dogs and Toronto Argonauts from 1994–2005. He was a CFL All-Star four ti ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DB – Kenny Wilhite, Ottawa Rough Riders *DB – Charles Gordon, Montreal Alouettes *DS – Spencer McLennan, Montreal Alouettes

Special teams

*P –

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *K –

Terry Baker Terry Wayne Baker (born May 5, 1941) is a former American football and basketball player. He played college football and basketball at Oregon State University in Corvallis, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Baker played as a quarterba ...

, Montreal Alouettes *ST –

, Toronto Argonauts

1996 Intergold CFLPA All-Stars

Offence

*QB –

, Toronto Argonauts *OT – Chris Perez, Toronto Argonauts *OT – Mark Dixon, Montreal Alouettes *OG –

, Calgary Stampeders *OG –

Jamie Taras Jamie Taras (born January 31, 1966, in Acton, Ontario) is a former professional Canadian football player with the Canadian Football League British Columbia Lions, and current director of community relations with the BC Lions. Taras spent his ent ...

, BC Lions *C –

, Toronto Argonauts *RB – Rob Mimbs, Saskatchewan Roughriders *FB –

Tony Burse Tony Lee Burse (born April 4, 1965) is a former American football running back who played one season with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 12th round of the 1987 NFL Draft. ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *SB – Maclin Cody, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *SB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *WR –

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music.

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *WR –

, Calgary Stampeders

Defence

*DE – Grant Carter, Montreal Alouettes *DE – Leroy Blugh, Edmonton Eskimos *DT –

John Kropke John Kropke (born January 3, 1966) is a former American football defensive tackle who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Ottawa Rough Riders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played college foo ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *DT –

, Toronto Argonauts *OLB –

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *OLB – K. D. Williams, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *ILB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *CB – Donald Smith, Toronto Argonauts *CB – Marvin Coleman, Calgary Stampeders *HB – Glenn Rogers Jr., Edmonton Eskimos *HB – Charles Gordon, Montreal Alouettes *S – Greg Knox, Calgary Stampeders

Special teams

*K –

, Calgary Stampeders *P –

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *ST –

, Toronto Argonauts

Head coach

Don Matthews Donald J. Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", (June 22, 1939 – June 14, 2017) was a head coach of several professional football teams, mostly in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He won 231 games in the CFL, the second highest win total by a head ...

, Toronto Argonauts 1996 Intergold CFLPA All-Stars
/ref>

1996 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 ...

–

(QB), Toronto Argonauts * CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Leroy Blugh (DE), Edmonton Eskimos *

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. ...

–

(LB), Edmonton Eskimos *

CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award The Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award is annually awarded to the best offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. The two nominees for the award are the Leo Dandurand Trophy winner from the East Division, and the DeMarco-Becket Memor ...

–

(C), Toronto Argonauts *

CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award The Most Outstanding Rookie Award is annually awarded to the player judged to be the best player in his first year in the Canadian Football League. The two nominees for the award are the Frank M. Gibson Trophy winner from the East Division, and the ...

–

Kelvin Anderson Kelvin Anderson (born February 4, 1972) is a former professional gridiron football player. As a running back, he rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons in the Canadian Football League, a league record. He won the CFL's Grey Cup c ...

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

Mike "Pinball" Clemons Michael Lutrell "Pinball" Clemons (born January 15, 1965) is an American-Canadian sports executive and former running back and return specialist who serves as general manager for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He i ...

(RB), Toronto Argonauts * CFL's Coach of the Year –

Ron Lancaster Ronald Lancaster (October 14, 1938 – September 18, 2008) was an American-Canadian professional football player and coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL). As the starting quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 16 seasons, he ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *

Commissioner's Award The Commissioner's Award is presented annually by the Commissioner of the Canadian Football League to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated dedication and made a significant contribution to Canadian Football. The award was first introd ...

John Tory John Howard Tory (born May 28, 1954) is a Canadian politician who has served as the 65th and current mayor of Toronto since 2014. After a career as a lawyer, political strategist and businessman, Tory ran as a mayoral candidate in the 2003 ...

, Toronto

CFL News in 1996

Regular season standings

Final regular season standings

Grey Cup playoffs

Playoff bracket

CFL Leaders

1996 CFL All-Stars

Offence

Defence

Special teams

1996 Western All-Stars

Offence

Defence

Special teams

1996 Eastern All-Stars

Offence

Defence

Special teams

1996 Intergold CFLPA All-Stars

Offence

Defence

Special teams

Head coach

1996 CFL Awards

References

Further reading