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.
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.
The current head of the CFL Players Association, Stu Laird was a stalwart defensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders from 1984-1996. A free agent signee originally Laird would be on both the Roughriders and Alouettes before he landed on the roster of the Stamps. Stu’s career really took off in 1986 where he notched 9 sacks. In 1988 Laird had a career high 11 sacks for the team before an injury riddled 1989. Cut in 1990, he’d recover to form, be resigned, and by 1994 would have another 9 sack season. A strong pass rushing force inside, Stu earned West-All Star honors for his performance in 1994. He’d continue playing through 1996 before retiring. His number has also since been retired as well. Stu has spent time as a fire fighter in the off season. In 2001 he was named president of the Canadian Football League Players Association and has served in that capacity through 2010 where just recently he was able to negotiate a new 4 year CBA.
When I sent out to the CFL, I sent out a bunch of All World cards. Unable to completely process my request, the league offices sent me a lot of the cards back with signatures and then tossed in a few Jogo 92 cards from the Calgary Stampeders.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
