Cleveland Vann (born September 3, 1951) is a former Canadian Football League linebacker. An

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

import, Vann was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders who played the 1976

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 ...

. He also played one season in the WFL, with the Southern California Sun, intercepting three passes. He tore his knee ligaments in a game in July 1979, but returned the following year. After further hand and wrist injuries, however, he was unable to maintain his place on the roster and retired. In the 1976

Vann's Saskatchewan Roughriders lost to the

Ottawa Rough Riders The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. Formerly one of the oldest and longest-lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine ...

23 to 20. The Grey Cup Most Valuable Player award was presented to Cleveland Vann, for his second half interception and his wide-ranging play. After his football days ended, he went home to Texas to work in law enforcement. In 1989, he returned to Regina, and became a manager with Health and Safety Services at SaskEnergy, and married Connie. Cleveland now works for Magna Electric Corporation in the safety division.
RETURNING TO REGINA BEST DECISION OF VANN'S LIFE, August 15, 2003

Notes and references

African-American players of American football American players of Canadian football Canadian football linebackers People from Seguin, Texas Players of American football from Texas Saskatchewan Roughriders players Oklahoma State Cowboys football players 1951 births Living people Southern California Sun players 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American sportspeople {{Canadianfootball-linebacker-stub