Sports Perspectives

Etcheverry celebrates 1970 Grey Cup victory

Sam “The Rifle” Etcheverry, who wasn’t just a-very good quarterback but a great one with the Montreal Alouettes, died of cancer in late August at the age of 79.

Born in New Mexico and of Basque heritage, Etcheverry played for the Als from 1952 to 1960 and had a two-year stint in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961-1962.

Despite winning three ‘Most Outstanding Player’ awards for the East division, he never won a Grey Cup as a player. The Alouettes reached the finals in three successive years between 1954-1956 but succumbed before their fierce rivals the Edmonton Eskimos in each. Edmonton, it should be noted, were led by the sublime Jackie Parker.

In the 1955 Grey Cup loss to the Eks, Etcheverry threw for a record 508 yards that still stands today.

However, despite these setback, Etcheverry did eventually win a Grey Cup in 1970 (over the Calgary Stampeders) but as a coach with the Montreal Alouettes, now led by QB Sonny Wade. His coaching record was an underwhelming 14-24-1. Still, during his long career, he became a Montreal sports icon.

From the CFL official website:

Etcheverry set nearly every quarterback record in Alouettes history, finishing with 30,303 passing yards and 186 touchdowns while becoming one of the franchise’s most revered players. He also holds league records for most passing yards in a Grey Cup game (508, in 1955) and most consecutive games with a passing touchdown (34, from 1954-56).

In addition, he still holds many University of Denver Pioneers college football passing records during his time there between 1949-1951.

What was remarkable about Etcheverry’s passing exploits is that it was accomplished during an era dominated by the running game.

TSN ranked Etcheverry #26 in their Top 50 CFL Players list. Six QB’s rank ahead of him – as, you know, a point of interest.

Fittingly, the Montreal Alouettes organization honored their QB by retiring his number 92.

RIP, Mr. Etcheverry. May you and football fans Basque in all your football glory.