Tag Archives: calgary stampeders

CFL

Buono, Wally

Card: All World 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, CFL Blitz

Wally Buono, is a major force and offensive mastermind in CFL history lore. After playing ball at Idaho State and not being drafted Buono would head back to Canada to play for the Montreal Alouettes from 1973-1981 at linebacker and pulled in some spot duty at punter. He’d play with them his whole career and earn two Grey Cups in 1974 and 1977.  He’d retire but be retained by the Montreal Concordes as an assistant coach in 1983. By 1987 Wally would be working for the Stampeders- the team he’s most notably remembered for.  Buono would assume head coaching duties in 1989 and guide the team to three Grey Cup Championship victories  (in 1992, 1998, and 2001) and three losses ( in 1991, 1995,  and 1999). In 2003, Wally would move to British Columbia where he turned the fortunes of the Lions around helping the team win 2 CFL championships where he has remained through the 2011 season.  Buono is the all time leader in CFL history in wins and has been named coach of the year 3 times over his career.

W 243     L 132      T  3     Pct .646

CFL

Sapunjis, David “Sponge”

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1992, CFL Blitz

David “Sponge” Sapunjis played for the Calgary Stampeders from 1990-1996 at wide receiver and won the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian 3 times (1991,1992, 1995) and the CFL’s Most Valuable Canadian twice in 1993 and 1995.  Drafted in the first round of the 1990 draft, in 1993 David became the first Canadian born player to make 100 receptions in a season, and then broke that mark the next season with 111 receptions. In 1993 and 1995, he was also named to the CFL All Star squad. Sponge also had a unique ritual in which he would put his socks and shoes on in a particular way and drink a cup of water exactly one minute before kickoff. While playing Sapunjis earned his BA via correspondence at Western Ontario and quit football at the age of 29.

Since retiring Sponge has been involved in the oil and natural gas market in Canada climbing up the corporate ladder for Continental Oil & Gas. In 2005 Sapunjis became a minority owner in the Calgary Stampeders, was inducted into the Stamps Wall of Fame in 2006 and is a member of the Stamps Dream Team.

Note: This 1992 Jogo card is an error and Sapunjis is accidentially spelled “Sapunjas”.

G/Gs N/a    Rec 460    Yds 6586    Avg 14.3   Td 46        Lg  75

CFL

Finlay, Matt

Card: All World 1991
Acquired: TTM 1991, CFL Blitz

A life long fan of the CFL, Matt Finlay, linebacker from Eastern Michigan would be nabbed by Montreal in 1986 where he’d play one season before being sent to to the Argos before 1987 after the folding of the Alouettes. Matt would play one game for the Argonauts before Toronto traded Matt to the Stampeders. Finlay would go on to play in 3 Grey Cup games for the Stampeders, winning one.  Matt would be also be selected to the CFL All- Star team in 1992 because of his hard hitting play.

He has since been inducted into the Mississauga, Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. As with most CFL players, the league has done a poor job of keeping player records and his career statistics are not readily available.