The 1989 CFL season is considered to be the 36th 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 32nd

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 1989

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 ...

Board of Governors approved the sale of 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 ...

from

Harold Ballard Harold Edwin Ballard (born Edwin Harold Ballard, July 30, 1903 – April 11, 1990) was a Canadian businessman and sportsman. Ballard was an owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) as well as their home arena, Maple ...

(of

Maple Leaf Gardens Limited Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE) is a professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With assets that include franchises in four of the six major professional sports leagues in the United S ...

) to

David Braley David Osborn Braley (31 May 1941 – 26 October 2020) was a Canadian businessman and politician who was the owner of the BC Lions and previously owner of the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada ...

on Friday, February 24. In April, the CFL announced a two-year television agreement with Carling O'Keefe Breweries for $12 million plus an additional $3 million for club promotional support. The CFL hosted both its Annual Meetings and the Canadian College Draft for the second straight year in

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 Hamilto ...

. 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 CFL East Division, East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), based i ...

played their first game at the

SkyDome Rogers Centre (originally SkyDome) is a multi-purpose retractable roof stadium in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated at the base of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands, ...

. The SkyDome also was the host of the 77th Annual

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 ...

game, on Sunday, November 26, when the

Saskatchewan Roughriders The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional Canadian football team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Roughriders compete in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member club of the league's West Division. The Roughriders were founded in ...

defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43–40. On September 7, 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 ...

were purchased by

Murray Pezim Murray may refer to: Businesses * Murray (bicycle company), an American manufacturer of low-cost bicycles * Murrays, an Australian bus company * Murray International Trust, a Scottish investment trust * D. & W. Murray Limited, an Australian who ...

. The Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union decided to change the location of the

Vanier Cup The Vanier Cup (french: Coupe Vanier) is the championship of Canadian university football. It is organized by U Sports football and is currently played between the winners of the Uteck Bowl and the Mitchell Bowl. It is named after Georges Vanier ...

game, from

Varsity Stadium Varsity Stadium is an outdoor collegiate football stadium located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is home to the Toronto Varsity Blues, the athletic teams of the University of Toronto. Athletic events have been hosted on the site since 1898; the ...

to the SkyDome. The

University of Western Ontario The University of Western Ontario (UWO), also known as Western University or Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods and the Thames R ...

defeated the

University of Saskatchewan A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United State ...

, 35–10 in the Vanier Cup's silver anniversary game. On Sunday, December 31, Bill Baker decided to resign as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the CFL.

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 Hamilton have first round byes.''

Grey Cup playoffs

The

are the 1989

champions, defeating the

43–40, 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 ...

. This was Saskatchewan's first championship since 1966. The Roughriders'

Kent Austin Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

(QB) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Offence and

Chuck Klingbeil Charles E. Klingbeil (November 2, 1965 – June 19, 2018) was an American football and Canadian football defensive tackle in the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an undrafte ...

(DT) was named Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Defence, while Dave Ridgway (K) was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian.

Playoff bracket

CFL Leaders

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

1989 CFL All-Stars

Offence

*QB –

Tracy Ham Tracy Ham (born January 5, 1964) is an American former professional football quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Stallions, and Montreal Alouettes. He was known for ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *RB – Tim McCray, Saskatchewan Roughriders *RB –

Reggie Taylor Reginald Tremain "Reggie" Taylor (born January 12, 1977) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays during his five-year Major League Baseball ca ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *SB – Rocky DiPietro, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *SB –

Craig Ellis Craig Ellis (born 4 June 1975 in Stawell, Victoria) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. Football career He was drafted by North Melbourne as a 15-year-old in the 1990 AFL Draft, but only played for their ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *WR – Tony Champion, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *WR –

Don Narcisse Donald Narcisse (born February 26, 1965) is a former wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Texas Southern University. He signed with Saskatchewan as a free agent on Septemb ...

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *C – Rod Connop, Edmonton Eskimos *OG – Jason Riley, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OG – Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders *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 *OT – Chris Walby, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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 ...

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

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 ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *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 –

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 – Eddie Lowe, Saskatchewan Roughriders *LB –

James West James or Jim West may refer to: People * James West (Australian journalist) (born 1982), Australian journalist and author * James West (antiquary) (1703–1772), English politician and antiquary; president of the Royal Society * James E. West (poli ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *CB – Stanley Blair, Edmonton Eskimos *CB –

Rod Hill Rodrick Hill (born March 14, 1959) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Raiders. After his NFL career he played five seasons with the Winni ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *DB – Don Wilson, Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Enis Jackson, Edmonton Eskimos *DS –

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 ...

, Ottawa Rough Riders

Special teams

*P – Bob Cameron, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *K – Dave Ridgway, Saskatchewan Roughriders *ST – Anthony Hunter, Edmonton Eskimos

1989 Eastern All-Stars

Offence

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

Gil Fenerty Lawrence Gill Fenerty, aka "Gill the Thrill", (born August 24, 1963) is a former running back in the Canadian Football League, National Football League, and the Italian Football League. Fenerty graduated from Jesuit High School (New Orleans) ...

, Toronto Argonauts *RB – Derrick McAdoo, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *SB – Rocky DiPietro, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *SB – Darrell Smith, Toronto Argonauts *WR – Tony Champion, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *WR – James Murphy, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *C – Dale Sanderson, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OG – Jason Riley, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OG – David Black, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *OT –

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *OT – Chris Walby, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Defence

*DT –

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

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *DE –

Mike Gray Harold Michael Gray (October 26, 1935 – April 30, 2013) was an American writer, screenwriter, cinematographer, film producer and director. Career Film and TV In 1965, Mike Gray and Jim Dennett co-founded The Film Group, a Chicago film pro ...

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *LB – Greg Battle, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *LB –

Frank Robinson Frank Robinson (August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019) was an American professional baseball outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for five teams, from to . The only player to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of both ...

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *LB –

, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *CB – Reggie Pleasant, Toronto Argonauts *CB –

, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *DB –

Ed Berry Ed Berry (born September 28, 1963) is a former defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) and all-star in the Canadian Football League (CFL). After playing at Utah State University, Berry was picked in the seventh round of the 1986 NF ...

, Toronto Argonauts *DB – Stephen Jordan, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *DS –

, Ottawa Rough Riders

Special teams

*P – Bob Cameron, Winnipeg Blue Bombers *K – Paul Osbaldiston, Hamilton Tiger-Cats *ST – Wally Zatylny, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

1989 Western All-Stars

Offence

*QB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *RB – Tim McCray, Saskatchewan Roughriders *RB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *SB – Jeff Fairholm, Saskatchewan Roughriders *SB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *WR – David Williams, BC Lions *WR –

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *C – Rod Connop, Edmonton Eskimos *OG – Dan Ferrone, Calgary Stampeders *OG – Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders *OT –

Blake Dermott Blake Dermott (born September 10, 1961 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman who played fourteen seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos, and was named the team's Top Lineman in ...

, Edmonton Eskimos *OT –

Hector Pothier Hector "Hec" Pothier (born June 12, 1954) is a former professional Canadian football player with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos. After playing college football at McGill University and at St. Mary's University (Halifax), Poth ...

, Edmonton Eskimos

Defence

*DT – Brett Williams, Edmonton Eskimos *DT – James Curry, Saskatchewan Roughriders *DE –

Bobby Jurasin Robert Jurasin (born August 26, 1964) is a former defensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1986–1997 and the Toronto Argonauts in 1998. He was a CFL All-Star in 1987, 1988, 1992 and 1997. He was a part of the Roughriders 1989 Gr ...

, Saskatchewan Roughriders *DE –

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB –

, Edmonton Eskimos *LB – Eddie Lowe, Saskatchewan Roughriders *LB – Larry Wruck, Edmonton Eskimos *CB – Stanley Blair, Edmonton Eskimos *CB – Andre Francis, Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Don Wilson, Edmonton Eskimos *DB – Enis Jackson, Edmonton Eskimos *DS – Glen Suitor, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Special teams

*P – Brent Matich, Calgary Stampeders *K – Dave Ridgway, Saskatchewan Roughriders *ST – Anthony Hunter, Edmonton Eskimos

1989 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), Edmonton Eskimos *

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 ...

– Rocky DiPietro (SB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats *

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 – Rod Connop (C), Edmonton Eskimos * CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award – Stephen Jordan (DB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats * CFLPA's Outstanding Community Service Award –

Matt Dunigan Matt Dunigan (born December 6, 1960) is an American broadcaster and former professional football player and executive. He is a Canadian Football League (CFL) sportscaster for Canadian sports television channel TSN. Dunigan is a former quarterb ...

(QB), BC Lions * CFL's Coach of the Year – John Gregory, Saskatchewan Roughriders

References

{{CFL seasons

Canadian Football League seasons