History
The Calgary Stampeders: A Legacy in Canadian Football
The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. Competing in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Stampeders represent one of the league's oldest active franchises, officially established in 1945. However, organized football in Calgary traces its roots back to the 1890s, with various clubs preceding the current team.
Since their founding, the Stampeders have enjoyed sustained success. The franchise has appeared in 17 Grey Cup championship games, claiming the title on eight occasions, most recently in 2018. In addition to their Grey Cup victories, Calgary has secured 20 Western Division Championships and one Northern Division title.
Grey Cup Championships
1948: Defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders 12-7 at Varsity Stadium, Toronto (36th Grey Cup)
1971: Defeated the Toronto Argonauts 14-11 at Empire Stadium, Vancouver (59th Grey Cup)
1992: Defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-10 at SkyDome, Toronto (80th Grey Cup)
1998: Defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 26-24 at Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg (86th Grey Cup)
2001: Defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27-19 at Olympic Stadium, Montreal (89th Grey Cup)
2008: Defeated the Montreal Alouettes 22-14 at Olympic Stadium, Montreal (96th Grey Cup)
2014: Defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 at BC Place, Vancouver (102nd Grey Cup)
2018: Defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16 at Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton (106th Grey Cup)
1948: A Perfect Season
The 1948 campaign stands as the most iconic in Stampeders history. Calgary completed the regular season with a flawless 12-0 record—still the only undefeated season in CFL history. In the 36th Grey Cup, held at Toronto's Varsity Stadium, the Stampeders edged the Ottawa Rough Riders 12-7. Normie Hill and Pete Thodos each scored majors in a game that cemented Calgary's place in football history.
1971: Return to Championship Glory
The 1971 season marked a triumphant return to the pinnacle of Canadian football. Calgary finished atop the Western Conference with a 9-6-1 record and advanced to the 59th Grey Cup in Vancouver. There, the Stampeders secured their second championship with a hard-fought 14-11 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
1992: Ending the Drought
The 1992 Calgary Stampeders ended a 21-year championship drought, finishing first in the West Division with a 13-5 record. In the 80th Grey Cup, held at Toronto's SkyDome, Calgary defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-10 to capture the franchise's third title. Quarterback Doug Flutie completed the trifecta—being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, winning the Grey Cup and being named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player.
1998: Buono's Breakthrough
In 1998, the Stampeders continued their dominance under head coach and general manager Wally Buono. Calgary topped the West Division with a 12-6 record and advanced past the Edmonton Eskimos in the West Final. In the 86th Grey Cup, the Stampeders edged the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 26-24 in their first-ever championship clash. It marked Calgary's fourth Grey Cup title and Buono became the first head coach in franchise history to win multiple championships.
2001: Underdogs Prevail
The 2001 season saw the Stampeders enter the playoffs with a modest 8-10 record—second in the West Division—but their postseason run proved historic. After victories over the BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary advanced to the 89th Grey Cup in Montreal. There, the Stampeders upset the heavily favored Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27-19, capturing their fifth Grey Cup and extending their playoff appearance streak to a franchise-record 13 consecutive seasons.
2008: Triumph in Enemy Territory
The 2008 Stampeders returned to the top of the league with a dominant 13-5 regular season, finishing first in the West Division. After a decisive win in the West Final, Calgary traveled east to face the hometown Montreal Alouettes in the 96th Grey Cup. Playing in hostile territory at Olympic Stadium, the Stampeders triumphed 22-14 to claim their sixth Grey Cup title.
2014: The Ascension of Bo Levi Mitchell
The 2014 season marked the rise of quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and a new era of success. Calgary finished the regular season with a league-best 15-3 record, tying a franchise mark. After securing the West Division crown for a second straight year, the Stampeders defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 in the 102nd Grey Cup at BC Place. It was the seventh championship in team history and the first under Mitchell, who was named the Grey Cup's MVP.
2018: Redemption and Eighth Title
After consecutive Grey Cup losses in 2016 and 2017, the 2018 Calgary Stampeders were determined to reclaim the title. Finishing first in the West for the third straight season, the team advanced to the 106th Grey Cup in Edmonton. There, Calgary delivered a complete performance in a 27-16 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks. It was the franchise's eighth Grey Cup win, and a crowning moment for head coach Dave Dickenson in his third season at the helm. Bo Levi Mitchell won his second CFL Most Outstanding Player award in 2018, adding to his 2016 honour, and was named Grey Cup MVP for the second time in his CFL career.
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