The 89th
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 ...
(
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 ...
championship) was held in
2001
The September 11 attacks against the United States by Al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror, were a defining event of 2001. The United States led a Participants in ...
in
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 ...
. 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 ...
claimed their fifth championship in team history with a 27–19 win over the
East Division champions and heavily favoured
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 ...
.
Game summary
Calgary Stampeders (27) – TD's,
Marc Boerigter
Marc Robert Boerigter (; born May 4, 1978) is a former professional Canadian and American football player. He is one of 13 players to have caught a 99-yard reception in the NFL.
Early life and college football career
Born in Hastings, Nebras ...
,
Travis Moore
Travis Moore (born August 5, 1970) is a former professional Canadian football coach who is currently serving as the Wide receiver, receivers and pass game coordinator coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Moore ha ...
,
Willie Fells
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 ...
; FG's,
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 ...
(2); cons.,
McLoughlin
McLoughlin is one of nearly two dozen Anglicisms for three Gaelic-Irish surnames: Mac/Nic Lochlainn (most commonly Anglicised ''McLaughlin''), Ó/Ní Maoilsheachlainn (usually ''McLoughlin'' or ''M'Loughlin''), and Mac/Nic Lochnaigh (usually ren ...
(3).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (19) – TD's,
Arland Bruce III
Arland Richard Bruce III (born November 23, 1977) is a former Canadian football wide receiver. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having won in 2004 with the Toronto Argonauts and in 2011 with the Lions. He has played 10 seasons in the CFL wi ...
,
Milt Stegall
Milton Eugene Stegall (born January 25, 1970) is a former professional gridiron football player who played 17 years of professional football, three years in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals and 14 years in the Canadian Foo ...
; FG's,
Troy Westwood
Troy Westwood (born March 21, 1967) is a former professional Canadian football place kicker and punter who played 18 years for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted 48th overall in the 6th round of the 1991 CF ...
; cons.,
Westwood (2); singles,
Westwood (2).
First quarter
WPG—FG Westwood 29-yard field goal 3:57
WPG—Single Westwood missed 49-yard field goal attempt, one-point granted 7:20
Second quarter
CAL—FG McLoughlin 37 yard field-goal 9:41
CAL—TD Boerigter 68-yard pass from Crandell (McLoughlin convert) 12:15
CAL—TD Moore 9-yard pass from Crandell (McLoughlin convert) 14:06
Third quarter
WPG—TD Bruce III 23-yard pass from Jones (Westwood convert) 4:05
WPG—Single Westwood missed 54-yard field goal attempt, one-point granted 10:38
Fourth quarter
CAL—TD Fells 11-yard return on a blocked punt (McLoughlin convert) 5:37
WPG—TD Stegall 23-yard pass from Jones (Westwood convert) 9:35
CAL—FG McLoughlin 24-yard field goal 14:12
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 ...
, a team which began the year with four straight losses, had just three wins on
Labour Day
Labour Day ('' Labor Day'' in the United States) is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for ...
. But
Calgary
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, makin ...
rallied, saving their season with an 8–10 record, good for a second-place finish in the
West Division. The Stampeders secured their berth in the Grey Cup with playoff victories over B.C. and
Edmonton
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city ancho ...
.
Calgary's opponent was a strong
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 ...
club which had the CFL's best regular season record of 14–4. But it was clear regular season play didn't matter as the Stampeders built a 17–4 lead at halftime.
Trailing 4–3 late in the second quarter, Calgary quarterback
Marcus Crandell
Marcus Crandell (born June 1, 1974) is a former professional Canadian football quarterback and coach. He was most recently the offensive coordinator of the Saskatchewan Huskies of the University of Saskatchewan. He played 11 seasons for the Edmont ...
hit a streaking
Marc Boerigter
Marc Robert Boerigter (; born May 4, 1978) is a former professional Canadian and American football player. He is one of 13 players to have caught a 99-yard reception in the NFL.
Early life and college football career
Born in Hastings, Nebras ...
down the left hash marks for a 68-yard touchdown. The Stampeders struck again before intermission when Calgary flooded the right side with receivers and Crandell hit
Travis Moore
Travis Moore (born August 5, 1970) is a former professional Canadian football coach who is currently serving as the Wide receiver, receivers and pass game coordinator coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Moore ha ...
for a nine-yard score.
It seemed to be the wake-up call the Blue Bombers needed. On their first possession of the second half, quarterback
Khari Jones
Khari Okang Jones ( ; born May 16, 1971) is a former professional Canadian football player and the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was formerly the head coach for ...
hit
Arland Bruce III
Arland Richard Bruce III (born November 23, 1977) is a former Canadian football wide receiver. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having won in 2004 with the Toronto Argonauts and in 2011 with the Lions. He has played 10 seasons in the CFL wi ...
for a 23-yard touchdown completion.
But the turning point came at 5:37 of the fourth quarter. With the Blue Bombers trailing 17–12, Calgary's
Aldi Henry — playing the game in his hometown — blocked
Bob Cameron's punt attempt.
Willie Fells
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 ...
recovered the ball and ran 11 yards for a Calgary touchdown.
The Blue Bombers fought back, as Jones hit
Milt Stegall
Milton Eugene Stegall (born January 25, 1970) is a former professional gridiron football player who played 17 years of professional football, three years in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals and 14 years in the Canadian Foo ...
who made a remarkable 23-yard touchdown reception. But once again the Stampeders pulled further ahead. Stuck on the Calgary 11 with time ticking down, Crandell threw to running back
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 ...
on a sideline pattern. Anderson slipped past
Marvin Coleman for a 44-yard gain. Three plays later,
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 ...
kicked a 24-yard field goal.
There was one final comeback attempt by Winnipeg. With the Blue Bombers on the Calgary 36 with time running out, Jones was driven by Stampeders defensive tackle
Joe Fleming into the turf for a game-ending sack.
It was a game of missed opportunity for the Blue Bombers, who repeatedly got near or into Calgary territory and came away empty handed. Winnipeg kicker
Troy Westwood
Troy Westwood (born March 21, 1967) is a former professional Canadian football place kicker and punter who played 18 years for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted 48th overall in the 6th round of the 1991 CF ...
missed three of four field goal attempts.
Trivia
* The attendance of 65,255 at
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 ...
's
Olympic Stadium
''Olympic Stadium'' is the name usually given to the main stadium of an Olympic Games. An Olympic stadium is the site of the opening and closing ceremonies. Many, though not all, of these venues actually contain the words ''Olympic Stadium'' as ...
was the third-largest crowd to witness a Grey Cup.
* 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 ...
became the second team (and second consecutive team) with a losing regular season record to win the Grey Cup.
* The American National Anthem was performed for the only time since 1995 before the Canadian National Anthem (in mark of respect of lives lost due to the 9/11 attacks)
2001 CFL playoffs
West Division
Semi-final (November 11 @
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Canadian Prairies, Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,30 ...
)
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 ...
28–19
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 season ...
Final (November 18 @
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city anchor ...
)
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 Commo ...
16–34
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 ...
East Division
Semi-final (November 11 @
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Hamilton has a population of 569,353, and its census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, has a population of 785,184. The city is approximately southwest of T ...
)
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 Fiel ...
24–12
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 ...
Final (November 18 @
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...
)
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 ...
28–13
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 Fiel ...
External links
*
{{2001 CFL season by team
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 ...
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 ...
Grey Cup
Grey Cups hosted in Montreal
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Calgary Stampeders
2000s in Montreal
2001 in Quebec
2001 in Canadian television
November 2001 sports events in Canada