The 1978 CFL season is considered to be the 25th 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 21st

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. The league drew 2,229,834 fans to its 72 regular season games, a record that would stand until the 2005 season by which time the league had extended its schedule from 16 to 18 games. The league's average attendance of 31,831 spectators per game remains a league record as of 2015.

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.. *''Edmonton and Ottawa have first round byes.''

Grey Cup playoffs

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 ...

are the 1978

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

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 ...

, 20–13, at

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

Exhibition Stadium Canadian National Exhibition Stadium (commonly known as Exhibition Stadium or CNE Stadium) was a multi-purpose stadium that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Originally built for Canadian National E ...

. This was the fourth championship meeting between Edmonton and Montreal within the last six years. The Eskimos' Tom Wilkinson (QB) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Offence and Dave "Dr. Death" Fennell (DT) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Defence. While

Angelo Santucci Angelo Santucci (born February 5, 1951) is a former Canadian football running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos and Ottawa Rough Riders from 1975 to 1984. Santucci played university football for the St. Mary's Huskies starting in ...

(RB) was named

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 * CFL Rushing Leaders * CFL Receiving Leaders

1978 CFL All-Stars

Offence

*QB – Tom Wilkinson, Edmonton Eskimos *RB – James Sykes, Calgary Stampeders *RB –

Mike Strickland Mike Strickland (born August 11, 1951) was a Canadian Football League (CFL) running back for the BC Lions from 1975 through 1977, and for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1978 and 1979. He was an All-Star in 1976 and won the Eddie James Memor ...

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB – Tom Scott, Edmonton Eskimos *TE – Tony Gabriel, Ottawa Rough Riders *WR –

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 *WR –

Bob Gaddis Robert C. (Bob) Gaddis (born January 20, 1952 in Jackson, Mississippi) is a former professional American football wide receiver. He was the 13th round draft pick (#337 overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1975 NFL Draft. He would play wid ...

, Montreal Alouettes *C –

Al Wilson Aldra Kauwa Wilson (born June 21, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and ...

, BC Lions *OG – Harold Holton, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Bill Stevenson, Edmonton Eskimos *OT –

Jim Coode James Edward Coode (October 22, 1951 – June 17, 1987) was an American football and Canadian football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1970 to 1973 and professional football for the Detroit Wheels (two game ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *OT – Dan Yochum, Montreal Alouettes

Defence

*DT – Dave Fennell, Edmonton Eskimos *DT –

John Helton John Helton (born 23 May 1947) is a former defensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders from 1969 to 1978 and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1979 to 1982 of the Canadian Football League. High school and college John Helton graduated from Captai ...

, Calgary Stampeders *DE –

Mike Fanucci Michael Joseph Fanucci (born September 28, 1949) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Houston Oilers, and Green Bay Packers. He later played with the Montreal Alouettes and Ottaw ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *DE – Reggie Lewis, Calgary Stampeders *LB – Danny Kepley, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – Ben Zambiasi, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB –

Chuck Zapiec Chuck Zapiec (born July 1, 1949) is a former All-American linebacker at Penn State and defensive captain of the Cotton Bowl Champion Nittany Lions. He earned his All-American Status as a linebacker in the only year that he played linebacker at " ...

, Montreal Alouettes *DB – Joe Hollimon, Edmonton Eskimos *DB –

Dickie Harris Dickie Harris (born May 24, 1950 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey) is a former all-star defensive back with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Harris started his 10-year ...

, Montreal Alouettes *DB – Larry Brune, Ottawa Rough Riders *DB – Gregg Butler, Edmonton Eskimos *DB –

Randy Rhino Randy Rhino (born December 2, 1953) is a former American football player. After a standout college career at Georgia Tech, he became an all-star defensive back in the Canadian Football League. Rhino grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and le ...

, Montreal Alouettes

Special teams

*P – Hank Ilesic, Edmonton Eskimos *K – Dave Cutler, Edmonton Eskimos

1978 Eastern All-Stars

Offence

*QB – Condredge Holloway, Ottawa Rough Riders *RB –

Jimmy Edwards James Keith O'Neill Edwards, DFC (23 March 19207 July 1988) was an English comedy writer and actor on radio and television, best known as Pa Glum in ''Take It from Here'' and as headmaster "Professor" James Edwards in ''Whack-O!''. Early lif ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *RB –

Mike Murphy Michael James Murphy (born 20 October 1941) is an Irish broadcaster, actor and property developer. He is best known for his long broadcasting career with RTÉ, presenting many TV shows such as ''The Live Mike'', '' Winning Streak'' and '' The Bi ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *SB – Art Green, Ottawa Rough Riders *WR –

, Montreal Alouettes *TE – Tony Gabriel, Ottawa Rough Riders *WR –

Jeff Avery Jeff Avery (born March 28, 1953) is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted as a territorial exemption in the 1976 CFL Draft by the Rough Riders and woul ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *C –

Donn Smith Laton Donn Frederick Smith (born September 3, 1949) is a retired Canadian football player who played for the Ottawa Rough Riders The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. Formerly o ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *OG – Charlie Brandon, Ottawa Rough Riders *OG – Larry Butler, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OT –

, Ottawa Rough Riders *OT – Dan Yochum, Montreal Alouettes

Defence

*DT – Glen Weir, Montreal Alouettes *DT –

Mike Raines Vaughn Michael Raines (born February 14, 1953) is a former professional and college football player. Raines was an Associated Press second-team All American his senior year at Alabama and was also chosen for the All-SEC defensive team. Raines w ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders *DE –

Jim Corrigall Jim Corrigall (born May 7, 1946) is a Canadian former gridiron football player and coach. He was all-star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. High school and college Corrigall played football in high school at Scollard Hall, a p ...

, Toronto Argonauts *LB – Carl Crennell, Montreal Alouettes *LB – Ben Zambiasi, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB –

, Montreal Alouettes *DB –

Eric Harris Eric David Harris (April 9, 1981 – April 20, 1999) and Dylan Bennet Klebold (; September 11, 1981 – April 20, 1999) were an American mass murder duo who perpetrated the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999. Harris and Klebold ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DB –

, Montreal Alouettes *DB – Larry Brune, Ottawa Rough Riders *DB – Jim Burrow, Montreal Alouettes *DB –

, Montreal Alouettes

Special teams

*P – Ken Clark, Toronto Argonauts *K –

Don Sweet Don Sweet (born July 13, 1948) is a former star football kicker for the Montreal Alouettes and Montreal Concordes of the Canadian Football League. College years Sweet graduated from Washington State University in 1971. He was a Pacific-10 Confer ...

, Montreal Alouettes

1978 Western All-Stars

Offence

*QB – Tom Wilkinson, Edmonton Eskimos *RB – James Sykes, Calgary Stampeders *RB –

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB – Tom Scott, Edmonton Eskimos *TE – Willie Armstead, Calgary Stampeders *WR –

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *WR –

Mike Holmes Michael James Holmes (born August 3, 1963) is a Canadian builder/contractor, businessman, investor, television host, and philanthropist. In his first television series, ''Holmes on Homes,'' he rescues homeowners from renovations gone wrong. He ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *C –

, BC Lions *OG – Harold Holton, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Bill Stevenson, Edmonton Eskimos *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 ...

, Calgary Stampeders *OT – Butch Norman, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Defence

*DT – Dave Fennell, Edmonton Eskimos *DT –

, Calgary Stampeders *DE –

Ron Estay Ron Estay (born December 22, 1948) is a former defensive lineman for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Career After graduating from LSU Tigers football, Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1972, he was selected by the ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *DE – Reggie Lewis, Calgary Stampeders *LB – Danny Kepley, Edmonton Eskimos *LB –

Tom Towns Tom Towns (March 17, 1953) was a star linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. Towns played his university football with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. In 1972 he was on the starting lineup in the Vanier Cup ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – Glen Jackson, BC Lions *DB – Joe Hollimon, Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Terry Irvin, Calgary Stampeders *DB – Ed Jones, Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Gregg Butler, Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Al Burleson, Calgary Stampeders

Special teams

*P – Hank Ilesic, Edmonton Eskimos *K – Dave Cutler, Edmonton Eskimos

1978 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 ...

– Tony Gabriel (TE), Ottawa Rough Riders *

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 f ...

– Tony Gabriel (TE), Ottawa Rough Riders *

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. ...

– Dave "Dr. Death" Fennell (DT), 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 ...

–

(OT), Ottawa Rough Riders *

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 ...

–

(WR), Winnipeg Blue Bombers * CFLPA's Outstanding Community Service Award – Peter Muller (TE), Toronto Argonauts * CFL's Coach of the Year – Jack Gotta, Calgary Stampeders

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1978 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