Earl Lunsford (October 19, 1933 – September 3, 2008), known as the "Earthquake", was a fullback for the Calgary Stampeders and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
| No. 27 | |
| Date of birth | October 19, 1933 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Date of death | September 3, 2008 (aged 74) |
| Place of death | Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | RB |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| US college | Oklahoma State |
| NFL draft | 1956 / round: 26 / pick: 305 |
| Drafted by | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career history | |
| As administrator | |
| 1968–1982 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1985–1987 | Calgary Stampeders |
| As player | |
| 1956, 1959–1963 | Calgary Stampeders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1961, 1962 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1960, 1961, 1962 |
| Career stats | |
College football
editLunsford played during college at with Oklahoma A&M.
Calgary
editLunsford was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League in 1956, but instead began his six-year career in the Canadian Football League that year with the Calgary Stampeders. His time in Calgary was interrupted for 2 seasons, 1957 to 1958, while serving in the United States military. He played 5 more seasons for the Stamps, from 1959 to 1963.
Lunsford rushed for over 1,000 yards 5 times, leading the West Division with 1,343 yards in 1960. During his best season, 1961, he led the entire CFL with a whopping 1,794 yards, which made him known as the first running back in professional sports to rush for a mile in one season.[1] He was an All West all star in 1960 and All Canadian in 1961.[2] That year, Calgary finished with a mediocre 7-9 record, but defeated the Edmonton Eskimos in the Western conference semi-final. However, they lost the Western conference final to the eventual Grey Cup winner, the Bud Grant-led Winnipeg Blue Bombers. His best game was on September 3, 1962, in Calgary, when he scored 5 rushing touchdowns, still a Stampeder record.[1]
In his career, he rushed 1199 times for 6994 yards, a 5.8 yard average, and 55 touchdowns, with his longest run being 85 yards. He is the Stampeder all-time rushing leader with 55 touchdowns and 28 100-yard games and is second among Stampeders for all-time rushing yards.[1]
Earl Lunsford had his own theme song "Earl The Pearl of Calgary".
Career regular season rushing statistics
edit| Year[3] | Team | GP | Rush | Yards | Y/R | Lg | TD |
| 1956 | Calgary Stampeders | 16 | 216 | 1283 | 5.9 | 57 | 7 |
| 1957-1958 | Military Service | ||||||
| 1959 | Calgary Stampeders | 16 | 183 | 1027 | 5.6 | 22 | 10 |
| 1960 | Calgary Stampeders | 16 | 214 | 1343 | 6.3 | 85 | 13 |
| 1961 | Calgary Stampeders | 16 | 296 | 1794 | 6.1 | 62 | 10 |
| 1962 | Calgary Stampeders | 11 | 180 | 1016 | 5.6 | 64 | 8 |
| 1963 | Calgary Stampeders | 10 | 110 | 531 | 4.8 | 29 | 7 |
| CFL Totals | 1199 | 6994 | 5.8 | 85 | 55 |
General manager
editAfter his playing career, Lunsford became General Manager of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1968–1982) and the Calgary Stampeders (1985–1987).[1]
Post-football honors
editFor his outstanding years as a dominant running back, Lunsford was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Death
editHe died September 3, 2008, aged 74, of Alzheimer's disease at his Texas home.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Sportak, Randy (September 5, 2008). "Earthquake shook up CFL". Calgary Sun.
- ^ "Earl Lunsford Passes Away". Calgary Stampeder Football Club. September 4, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- ^ Earl Monroe Lunsford on Statscrew
- ^ Cameron, Allen (September 4, 2008). "CFL legend Lunsford dies at age 74". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- ^ "Legendary Stampeder dies". Calgary Sun. September 4, 2008.