Tag Archives: calgary stampeders

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.

CFL

Hall, Darryl

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1992, CFL Blitz

Like many CFL players, there is just not a lot of data or statistics avalable on Darryl Hall. Extensive Google mining has revealed little about this stealthy defensive back/ linebacker. At  6’2″, 205, Darryl Hall was a well sized cornerback  who covered some of the best players in the league. An imported player, he originally played his college ball at Washington and was team captain. A free agent signee by the Stampeders, Darryl wasn’t even in training camp in 1990, however he’d finish the season with 3 picks and was nominated as Calgary’s rookie of the year. Later in his career he’d move to linebacker and would be the leader of the Stampeder defense en route to 3 Grey Cup Championships for the city.